Simpsons producer hits back at claims Apu is being cut

From Digital Spy

Kwik-E-Mart owner Apu Nahasapeemapetilon's future on The Simpsons has been rather uncertain recently, but producer Al Jean has now hit back at the latest rumours.

Writing on his Twitter page, Jean's message is a direct response to recent comments from Indian-American film producer and YouTuber Adi Shankar, who suggested that the beloved Indian immigrant character was being written out of The Simpsons.

Jean said: "Adi Shankar is not a producer on the Simpsons. I wish him the very best but he does not speak for our show."

Although this doesn't necessarily offer anything concrete on the future of Apu, Jean's tweet does pretty much say that unless there's an official confirmation from the show, don't believe anything you might read.

Now, writing to The Wrap, Shankar has responded to Jean's tweet addressing him:

"Al Jean's statement was directed toward the very poorly researched clickbait reporting from @NME who incorrectly credited me as a producer on The Simpsons. I'm not and never stated that I am. Al's simply clarifying that I'm not on the show, which once again I am not. He's not addressing the Apu controversy."

Apu has of course featured in many of The Simpsons' greatest episodes – a classic being when his wife gave birth to octuplets.

So, if Adi Shankar is right and Apu does quietly make his departure, he'll certainly be missed in Springfield.

The Simpsons airs on FOX in the US, and on Sky One in the UK.

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