Hank Azaria recently gave an interview about why he’s decided to stop voicing Apu, the controversial character from The Simpsons. I understand his reasoning and in the end it’s his decision and it was nice of the producers to honor his desire. Of course since he voices a good chunk of the characters they probably felt it wise not to lose him altogether if he was that insistent on not playing the role anymore. However, as I wrote about before, I think the protest is a bit harsh. As far as Azaria, a white man, playing an Indian man (as in man originally from India), it’s voice acting. A lot of people play alternate races and sometimes alternate genders. I’ve heard men play women, women play boys, black men play Japanese men (nobody complains that Uncle Phil is also the Shredder), and the list goes on. Still, if he’s not comfortable playing the role I’m sure he can give up one. The question is whether or not they can or want to find a replacement.
The Downside Of Binge Watching Culture
I still wish these two could have had their own adventure. Or a review web series.
Growing up networks or even syndicated channels would have a marathon. It would be one show or one franchise airing all day long. It was a good way for people to get caught up on a series they might have come in late on or see some favorite episodes again. This would be the exception rather than the rule.
And then Netflix came along.
At first Netflix simply worked as a main-away video store. It didn’t really allow for impulse video rental but if there was a movie you just had to watch this was the place to get it. As the internet allowed better quality streaming of video they led the way in streaming TV shows and movies, but they did so from the “box set” format, posting an entire series at once. That was fine for older shows being released on home video after they aired on television, but then they started having original series, that they would release an entire season at a time and only the whole season at once. That would keep people locked to their computers and smart devices to see the whole thing so they could get in on the discussion for the latest fan favorite. Said fan favorite didn’t really last nearly as long, and didn’t have the staying power of shows not released that way, like shows on HBO or other streaming services. While marathoning/binge watching isn’t new thanks to home video, it does alter the way we interact with entertainment, and not necessarily for the better.
With some swearing in his video, Geoff Thew of Mother’s Basement explains why binge watching may actually be hurting the way we interact with TV today, since although he doesn’t mention it in the video, it has caused more marathoning even on TV networks like HGTV and Tru TV.
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Posted by ShadowWing Tronix on February 26, 2020 in Streaming Spotlight and tagged commentary, Netflix.
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