I’ve been AWOL for a while due to work and personal reasons, but I wanted to very quickly let you know that Manish will be on CNN at 8:25 PM EST tonight, talking about the 7/11 promotion that requires 7/11 workers in 11 stores to dress up as Apu to help promote the Simpsons movie. We should be blogging this shortly, but for now, here are some links to his coverage of the event: Reminder: CNN tonight,
« Cheek Swabbing Can Be Fun... Bay Area Mega Drive ·
Main
· Pakistan's Military Storms Islamabad's Red Mosque »
July 10, 2007
26 comments
on July 10, 2007 5:45 PM · Direct link
And I will make sure to link to the CNN video tomorrow in addition to my own undercover investigation inside the Kwik-E-Mart on the corner of Venice and Sepulveda. Must see! :)
on July 10, 2007 5:59 PM · Direct link
Is this really offending people? It seems like the young desi community is finally gained enough yuppie points to become more politically correct than sensible. It would make more sense if Apu was a Bloodthirsty Sikh with bombs in his turban, or a Muslim wife-beater, or any other mean nasty thing that is streotyped -- but Apu is so endearing and so, American, that it doesnt make sense to get our collective lungi's in a bunch. If the rage is directed towards his 'isms' - - its not a huge stretch from the truth. I've had more than one store clerk, brown or otherwise, do some pretty gross or greedy things for the sake up keeping the cash coming in.
on July 10, 2007 6:43 PM · Direct link
requires 7/11 workers in 11 stores to dress up as ApuDo they really require the workers to dress up as Apu? I thought they were "dressing up" the stores by changing the signs and decorations, not the workers. I also thought I read that at totl of 11 stores worldwide got changed, but I could be wrong.
I don't have a strong opinion about this publicity stunt one way or the other - criticism seems valid, as does the absence of criticism. But I'm sure the 7-11 execs know "any publicity is good publicity," and the more press they get, whether through angry bloggers or their own ads, the happier they'll be.
on July 10, 2007 7:07 PM · Direct link
Abhi and I will be blogging this tomorrow. Only 11 stores got changed, but the employees all have to dress and act like Apu, no matter their race.
on July 10, 2007 8:36 PM · Direct link
So that's what Manish looks like. This "panel of experts" is lame... why couldn't they bring Manish on for this part too?
on July 10, 2007 8:38 PM · Direct link
I just saw the CNN snippet, and I felt the actual "field reporting" was particularly biased, but I liked the commentary afterwards. I wanted to smack that Julie woman upside the head. Yes, the Simpsons is full of caricatures and tongue-in-cheek humor, but it becomes racist when you move a cartoon -- clearly fake -- into reality. I'm with folks who feel this is racist and offensive on this one, and I really appreciated the commentary to that affect.
on July 10, 2007 8:43 PM · Direct link
Due to failure to buy cable (I don't watch much TV!) I missed it, so can someone summarize the segment and what angle they took?
on July 10, 2007 8:50 PM · Direct link
Blogs are colliding! It's all so confusing. I've commented on Ultrabrown, but my general take on it is that I don't find the Apu character in the Simpsons offensive, but forcing franchisees to do something they may find offensive is in very bad taste, especially when only the stupid aspects of the character are represented.
on July 10, 2007 8:57 PM · Direct link
It is so confusing! I don't have TV either, so I hope someone puts this on youtube. Inquiring minds want to know: does Manish really have a pompadour now?
on July 10, 2007 9:00 PM · Direct link
I agree with Rahul. I find Apu funny. Let's stop being so PC. As far as the employees being forced to run the promotion by dressing up, I am not buying it. Not even a white American could be forced to dress up like Apu for their measly minimum wage , let alone an Indian. As far as the store running the banners and stuff, I am on the fence on it. BUt then again, you signed up to be a franchisee of a mega corporation and this stunt is not racist in my opinion.
The panel was stupid. How come they could not find a single fucking Indian to comment on the panel? How about their very own Sanjay "Gooopta".
on July 10, 2007 9:04 PM · Direct link
does Manish really have a pompadour now?
Apparently he also has his own theme music: pompadour and circumstance.
on July 10, 2007 9:21 PM · Direct link
Are they being offered money to dress up as Apu or have their stores decorated with all that Simpsons gear? If not, they should demand it. That movie is going to be making so much $$$$$$$$, 7/11 stores should get some of it.
on July 10, 2007 9:41 PM · Direct link
I agree with Rahul. I find Apu funny. Let's stop being so PC.
To me, it's all about the context in the show. What I said.
That movie is going to be making so much $$$$$$$$, 7/11 stores should get some of it.
Yeah, and Blackbeard is back to extort Johnny Depp :)
on July 11, 2007 12:11 AM · Direct link
Good ol' CNN...their online story goes something like this:
"This is great. Great. Great. Everyone loves it. Soooo funny. History of the Simpsons. Great idea. Great. GREAT. (Some 7/11s are owned by Indians. Controversy? YOU DECIDE. To help you decide, here's a quote from a desi who thinks it's a GREAT IDEA. Hilarious even. Really hilarious.) The end.
http://edition.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Movies/07/02/7.eleven.kwik.e.mart.ap/index.html
I really need to find a new place to get my one-sided news.
on July 11, 2007 12:18 AM · Direct link
Many of 7-Eleven's franchisees are Indian, company officials say, although they say they don't track exact numbers. Bargerhuff said they were "overwhelmingly positive" after hearing of the Kwik-E-Mart idea, but "it was not a 100 percent endorsement."
"There was definitely a concern of offending people," she said. "But they seemed to understand that 'The Simpsons' makes fun of everybody. The vast majority saw this as a great opportunity."
That's the case for Kumar Assandas, a 28-year-old franchisee whose parents immigrated from India. His store in suburban Las Vegas is one of the temporary Kwik-E-Marts."I know it's a stereotype, but it doesn't bother me. Everybody knows it's a joke," Assandas said. "I'm a big 'Simpsons' fan myself, and maybe subconsciously it even inspired me to become a 7-Eleven owner."
on July 11, 2007 7:36 AM · Direct link
sick and twisted
on July 11, 2007 8:09 AM · Direct link
The CNN report was biased: it showed Apu’s dubious side as a store owner to make Manish's point, but the fact is that Apu is also portrayed as an intelligent (PhD), hardworking, and someone who gets attention from the ladies. Also, the portrayal of India is positive in the Simpsons, unlike countries like Brazil (ouch) and France.
Anyway, the facts speak for themselves: every converted 7-11 duplicated its sales. If people where buying Apu's bad side (like selling rotten food as CNN reminded us), they would flee Kwik-E-Mart. And that is not the case. Lighten up.
on July 11, 2007 10:53 AM · Direct link
Did anyone see the "race impressions" clip from Mind of Mencia? Mencia received some hate mail saying he did racist impressions that promoted stereotypes, so he went out on the street to prove that everyone does it. He interviewed 5-7 random people on their impressions… white, black mostly.
Carlos: ok do an Indian guys
White guy: Welcome to Quicki Mart, thank you and come again
Carlos: ok do an Arab guy
White guy: Welcome to Quicki Mart, thank you and come again
Carlos: ok do an Arab terrorist
White guy: Welcome to my country, thank you and come again
I won’t lie…I laughed….but there doesn’t seem to be enough yuppies to change the overall stereotypes….maybe because they’re all concentrated in DC
on July 11, 2007 10:54 AM · Direct link
woops...I meant Kwik-E-Mart :)
on July 11, 2007 2:16 PM · Direct link
Not to incite any anger, as it seems I am in the minority here, but I don't find it offensive.
I went to the Kwik-E-Mart nee 7/11 here in Chicago this weekend at the insistence of a friend who REALLY wanted her some Krusty-O's. Both the counter guys were wearing a Kwik-E-Mart shirt, and only one had his nametag changed to "Apu" - he's the one who said, "Thank you, come again", but with his normal speaking voice, NOT in a faux Indian accent. I found the overpriced Slushee straws and general hype of the occasion more offensive ($1.50?!?!?!).
I'm reaching back to a multicultural counseling class for some lingo here...perhaps I've internalized some stereotypes and that's the problem. But I think that 7/11 and Fox are trying to bring the Simpsons to life to promote this overpromoted film, and in trying to create the Kwik-E-Mart, wanted to make sure the one thing that's associated with it - namely, the catchphrase - is uttered.
That said, if 7/11 asked employees to say it in an Indian accent, I'd be pissed. if I missed that detail, apologies.
That's the case for Kumar Assandas, a 28-year-old franchisee whose parents immigrated from India. His store in suburban Las Vegas is one of the temporary Kwik-E-Marts."I know it's a stereotype, but it doesn't bother me. Everybody knows it's a joke," Assandas said. "I'm a big 'Simpsons' fan myself, and maybe subconsciously it even inspired me to become a 7-Eleven owner."
Aiya. That is kind of depressing.
on July 11, 2007 7:23 PM · Direct link
apu is giving away free squishees today!!!
on July 11, 2007 7:37 PM · Direct link
I really need to find a new place to get my one-sided news.
I hear these guys are pretty good.
on July 11, 2007 7:46 PM · Direct link
I really need to find a new place to get my one-sided news.I hear these guys are pretty good.
on July 11, 2007 8:09 PM · Direct link
What, they are not fair and balanced?
Nope, but you're close.
on July 11, 2007 8:10 PM · Direct link
Carlos: ok do an Indian guys White guy: Welcome to Quicki Mart, thank you and come again Carlos: ok do an Arab guy White guy: Welcome to Quicki Mart, thank you and come again Carlos: ok do an Arab terrorist White guy: Welcome to my country, thank you and come again
I don't get any of that.
????????
on July 12, 2007 5:42 AM · Direct link
I don't get any of that.
Carlos Mencia is a mediocre comedian, and his sketches about minorities are not funny.
Add a comment
