NOT SO KWIK.

The real news

The story, straight

NOT SO KWIK.

THE REAL NEWS — Apu speaks again

Apu has his voice back.

Sunil Malhotra now voices Springfield’s Kwik-E-Mart owner, and Janina Gavankar voices his wife, Manjula. They were heard in the annual “Treehouse of Horror” episode that aired Sunday, Oct. 18.

Apu had spent nearly a decade without speaking roles, although he still appeared in the background.

THE ABSURD — Nearly a decade later

I popped in for milk.

Nothing ambitious. No mortgage application.

No United Nations resolution. Just milk.

By the time Apu could speak again, my dairy had developed a rind and started charging artisan prices.

They called it the Kwik-E-Mart. Apparently, that was aspirational.

THE BREAKDOWN — New actor, same Apu

A voice actor supplies a character’s performance. Change the performer, and the character can carry on—with room to develop.

The controversy concerned how Apu represented South Asians, including Hank Azaria’s portrayal. Hari Kondabolu’s 2017 documentary, The Problem With Apu, challenged those stereotypes.

AP reports that Kondabolu praised the show’s “clever solution” and the hiring of Malhotra and Gavankar.

Criticizing a portrayal can be an invitation to improve it.

Somewhere along the way, Springfield turned that invitation into a very long hold message.

My milk needed refrigeration. The show needed a decision.

THE UPSIDE — His story can continue

Executive producer Matt Selman said he looks forward to seeing more of Apu in the future.

That leaves room for a familiar character to develop.

Welcome back, Apu.

Now could you scan this before it becomes a charcuterie board?