Simpsons creator Matt Groening responds to race controversies

In a rare interview, Matt Groening candidly discussed the long-running show’s recent controversies concerning race and representation.

Matt Groening has emerged from the cartoonists lair – virtually, at least.

The Simpsons creator, 67, granted a rare interview to the BBC where he candidly discussed his personal conclusions regarding the show’s recent controversies over race and representation.

The legendary show has been much criticised for its decision to cast white actors to voice characters of colour when the show debuted some 31 years ago.

“Times change,” Groening told the BBC, “but I actually didn’t have a problem with the way we were doing it. All of our actors play dozens of characters each, it was never designed to exclude anyone.”

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JULY 29: Matt Groening of Netflix's 'Disenchantment' poses for a portrait during the 2018 Summer Television Critics Association Press Tour at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 29, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Robby Klein/Contour by Getty Images)

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However, actor Hank Azaria, who voiced the Kwik-E-Mart shopkeeper Apu, stepped down amid public outcry last year to make way for an as-yet undetermined actor of South Asian origin.

Earlier this week it was announced that the role of Dr Hibbert, once voiced by Harry Shearer, was given to actor Kevin Michael Richardson (Family Guy).

The production was initially defensive, with Groening responding in 2018 that he was “proud” of the show, and a victim of a “culture where people love to pretend they’re offended”.

Groening’s opinion has since taken a more inclusive stance.

“We’re not going out of our way to comfort bigots,” he told the BBC. “On the other hand, if you do any kind of gesture and people perceive a weakness, you’ll be criticised.”

“I absolutely agree with that. And we’re trying to make it better,” he added. “Bigotry and racism are still an incredible problem, and it’s good to finally go for more equality and representation.”

Harry Shearer and Doctor Hibbert

He also discussed an entirely different sort of controversy – his feud with the transportation enthusiast organisation the Monorail Society, which includes 14,000 members from around the globe. It’s been said that The Simpsons Episode 12 of Season 4, titled “Marge vs. the Monorail,” is the reason why more city dwellers aren’t hitching rides on monorails. Had the iconic musical episode – which saw Marge save Springfield from a scamming monorail developer – never aired, the monorail would be taken more seriously today, according to society members.

“I don’t know what to say, I’m sorry,” he joked. “That’s a by-product of our viciousness.”

The animator shows no signs of slowing down. His latest project, Disenchantment, a comedy-fantasy cartoon starring Abbi Jacobson, Eric André and Nat Faxon, is in its third season on Netflix.

“Doing Disenchantment is about the most fun I ever have. I get to work with some of the funniest, smartest people around and play with them and tell stories. It’s just a blast,” he said.

This image released by Fox shows the Apu from the animated series "The Simpsons." The character is the subject of a documentary called “The Problem With Apu,” airing on truTV on Nov. 19. (Fox via AP) for GCB digital life

This article originally appeared on the New York Post and was reproduced with permission