Each webisode also includes a tacky "Hindi" font, Bollywoodish music, and cringe-worthy titles like "Sausage Swami," "Korma Chameleon," and "Fists of Curry." Because contrived Asian references are an inexhaustible mine of comedy gold! I find this not only offensive, but so uninspired and played out. When Eddie Murphy created The PJs, the public (including Spike Lee and the NAACP) was quick to call out the racist undertones of the show. Mr. Patel is just another example, and also deserving of being called out by communities of color.
With its cliched stereotypes, Mr. Patel struck me as a cross between those vile Mr. Wong cartoons and Simpsons-style Apu jokes (yes, Mr. Patel also operates a slurpy machine).
Remember that Mr. Wong show on icebox.com? It starred a jaundiced, buck-toothed, heavily-accented Chinese houseboy (voiced by South Park writer Kyle McCulloch).
Debuting in 2000 and lasting 14 episodes, Mr. Wong caught flak from the Asian American community for its racist caricatures. While perhaps not as overtly and virulently racist, Mr. Patel definitely took me back there. Well, at least Mr. Patel's alter-ego is an ass-kicking pimp.
Uh-oh, I know I just threw the R-word around here. Readers: take a look at the episodes and let me know what you think. Maybe my militancy has trumped my sense of humor (although I will probably disagree with you).
Comments