John Cleese ‘apologizes’ for offending white people during Monty Python sketches
John Cleese ‘apologizes’ for offending white people during Monty Python skits
Has issued a sarcastic apology to “white English people” for sketches he and the rest of the cast performed
The iconic comedy troupe performed many gags in their time and poked fun at British culture without posing too many problems.
However, Cleese felt compelled to make a statement following Hank Azaria’s apology to all Indians for being the voice of Apu for years.
On his Twitter, Legend wrote: “Without wanting to go over Hank Azaria’s head, I’d like to apologize on behalf of Monty Python for all the sketches we did making fun of white Englishmen. We are sorry for any upset we may have caused.”
Speaking to 60 Minutes Australia last year, the actor said, “PC people seem to think that if you make a joke, or make fun of someone, you are demeaning or humiliating them and this is not true” said
Cleese was particularly upset with UKTV, which temporarily pulled an episode of its popular series Fawlty Towersaciales offensive.
The actor spoke about a visit he made to his son’s school, where he discussed the character
Azaria said, “I was speaking at my son’s school, I was talking to the Indian kids there because I wanted to get their opinion.”
“A 17-year-old kid… he hasn’t even seen The Simpsons but he knows what Apu means. At this point it’s practically an insult.
All he knows is that this is how his people are thought of and represented to a lot of people in the country.”
Azaria stepped away last year after realizing he no longer wanted to be with the character because it “just didn’t feel right.”
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