'That's a white guy making fun of me': comedian Hari Kondabolu's problem with Apu

Hari Kondabolu has done a lot in his career, from performing on late-night talk shows to hosting a podcast called Politically Re-Active with W. Kamau Bell. But, there has always been one thing casting a dark shadow on everything he does: Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, the Indian Kwik-E-Mart owner on The Simpsons.

Kondabolu has a problem with Apu and the white actor who voices him, Hank Azaria. It bothers him so much, he decided to make a documentary about it. The Problem With Apu, which premieres on Nov. 19 on TruTV, is an hour-long special where Kondabolu attempts to confront Apu head-on while opening up a wider conversation about representation in film and television. The documentary features Aziz Ansari, Kal Penn, Russell Peters and Whoopi Goldberg, who all weigh in on how one of the most beloved television series of all time can get away with something so many see as problematic. 

Today, Kondabolu joins guest host Ali Hassan to discuss his love of The Simpsons growing up, dealing with the Apu stereotype, and what he hopes viewers can get out of watching his latest documentary.

— Produced by Vanessa Nigro