TV: 7-Elevens To Become KWIK-E-MARTS For Simpsons Movie Release

[FOLLOW UP: See July 11, 2007 SAJAforum update after the stores got their makeover.]

The 7-Eleven chain of convenience stores may convert a number of franchises into Kwik-E-Marts in time for the release of the Simpsons movie (Richmond Times-Dispatch). UberDesi points us to this blog, where we got a rendering of an altered franchise with its owner, our beloved Apu Nahasapeemapetilon:

"The Simpsons Movie" is being released July 27. According to his official bio, Apu once worked a 96-hour shift. But he also manages to "party hearty with his brother Sanjay, family, and friends each and every year for a most enjoyable 5 minutes."

"Apu himself, in keeping with his Hindu beliefs, is a vegan, eating no meat, eggs, or dairy products. His attempt to bridge the gap between East and West with tofu dogs, curry crullers, and Chutney Squishees met with resounding disinterest, though his shrine to the elephant god Ganesha attracted a peanut or two, much to his displeasure."

Apu has been the most consistent desi presence in American pop culture, surviving hold-ups, insults and outrage from insecure South Asians in the early years - thankfully that's a bygone era.

For just $11.95, you can purchase this fine Apu bobble-head:

Comments

[Lisa Tsering]

What is the slogan on his shirt?

[Arun]

It seems to say "Don't Have a Cow, Man".

[Steve]

Regarding Apu, yeah there was a time when Apu was practically the only Desi on American TV (and he was a cartoon) but these days, while still not prominent on American TV, the image of the "APU" is being replaced by the image of Mohinder Suresh (the character from the American TV show "Heroes").

Most of these Desi characters on American tv are still minor characters, and quite frequently, Mohinder Suresh aside, they are women.

Here is a quick run down on some Desi Characters I have seen on American TV.

Dr. Kenchy Dhuwalia from "Jericho". He is protrayed very positively. He was a doctor who helped the citizens of Jericho during their time of need after they lost their only doctor. He did get drunk, but that was only after all the horror he saw with people dying around him. So, even him getting drunk was shown positively because it showed him as someone who was deeply effected by the pain around him.

I already mentioned Dr. Mohinder Suresh of "Heroes", a well educated genetics professor from India who came to NY to investigate the death of his equally well educated father who was also a genetics professor.

Dr. Amita Ramanujan, from "Numb3rs". American Born Desi. She is a professor at the California Institute of Science (CalSci). She received a doctorate in computational mathematics. Dr. Charlie Eppes (the main character of the show) is shown to be a greater mathematician than her, that is true, but she is shown as nearly at his level and was herself oftered a job at Harvard.

The Indian Lady from "Las Vegas" Sorry I couldn't find her name but she worked at the fictional Las Vegas Casino The Montecito. She was an expert in finance and mathematics and kept the books in order.

Dr. Rajani Mohadevan from "Blood Ties". Ok, this last show is not well known but it was on the Lifetime american cable tv network and it was produced in Canada. It is a show about Vampires. In the show she plays a coroner who while very scientitific is also wise enough to be open to "Out of the Box" possibilities.

So, what is my point?

Well nowdays, while sure Desi characterrs on American TV are still rare, when you do see them they are less likely to be behind the counter or working the Slurpy machines, but instead are most probably highly educated. Before in American tv if you wanted a highly educated, scientific person as a character that character would be Japanese or Chinese (when they were not white of course). Now they are Desi characters. Still stuck for the most part in the world of stereotypes but for the most part quite positive ones. We are way past the days of Apu.

Though I guess we should not be too critical of the protrayal of APU. He was always shown as hard working.