It's hard to imagine Springfield without Apu. The immigrant from India has been operating the Kwik-E-Mart for the past 30 seasons but Hank Azaria recently stated he will no longer be voicing the iconic character. While Apu has been seen from time to time over the past few seasons fans have not heard him speak since accusations of racism marred the character two years ago.
With the possibility of Apu being reduced to a voiceless background character now is the perfect time to revisit his most famous episodes. Here are the 10 best Apu episodes to rewatch.
10 LISA THE VEGETARIAN
As the title suggests, this classic episode of The Simpsons is centered around Lisa but it's Apu who steals the show. The middle Simpsons' child decides to become a vegetarian after a visit to a nearby animal farm convinces her that eating meat is wrong.
Apu, who is also a vegetarian, gives Lisa a pep talk and encourages her to be tolerant of other peoples' food choices while holding firm to her beliefs. He then introduces her to his friends, Paul and Linda McCartney, who have their own vegetable garden on the roof of the Kwik-E-Mart. The episode ends with Apu singing his version of "Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band".
"I am Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. I hope you will enjoy MY show."
9 22 SHORT FILMS ABOUT SPRINGFIELD
This season seven anthology episode features several short stories focusing mainly on supporting characters. It is Apu's story, "The Jolly Bengali", that kicks off the fun.
With some prodding from Sanjay, Apu closes the Kwik-E-Mart for five minutes to attend a party. He does everything imaginable from dancing to "Freak-A-Zoid" to having a lightning-fast romance with a woman inside a tool shed. Apu is even able to make it back to the store with a minute to spare.
8 MUCH APU ABOUT SOMETHING
The Kwik-E-Mart is destroyed in a freak accident during a parade. Sanjay decides t0 retire and leaves his controlling portion of the business to his millennial son who turns the iconic convenience store into a hip, health food market.
Apu is heartbroken and feels no connection to his nephew's new store. But what would Springfield be without its beloved Kwik-E-Mart? It's not long before a bunch of zany events occur leading to the destruction of the health food store and rebirth of Apu's convenience store.
7 COVERCRAFT
Homer forms a cover band along with some of the other dads in Springfield with Apu serving as the group's lead singer. The guys experience some local fame which is threatened when a popular 80's band offers Apu a chance to become their new frontman.
Apu lives out his dream touring the world with his new band but soon becomes homesick. He eventually returns to Springfield but not before Homer takes revenge on the rockers for stealing his lead singer and gives them food poisoning by feeding them Kwik-E-Mart hotdogs.
6 THE SWEETEST APU
Problems at the workplace combined with the stress of raising eight kids send Apu into the arms of another woman. Homer witnesses the affair and it's not long before Apu's wife Manjula finds out and leaves him.
With the help of the Simpsons (who else?) Apu's put-upon wife eventually realizes she still loves the guy. Manjula agrees to take Apu back but not before she gives him a list of seemingly impossible tasks to complete before she's willing to forgive him.
5 I'M WITH CUPID
During dinner with the Simpsons, Manjula discovers Apu works a lot more than most men and the Kwik-E-Mart clerk ends up in the dog house.
To win back her love Apu decides to shower Manjula with extravagant displays of affection, each more spectacular than the previous. His antics include everything from hiring a skywriter and putting on a parade to encasing himself in chocolate - proving just how much Apu loves his sweetheart.
4 MUCH APU ABOUT NOTHING
Mayor Quimby raises taxes and blames illegal immigrants. He calls for a bill that will deport them which many people support until it's revealed Apu is in Springfield illegally and will be sent back to India if the bill passes.
The most interesting part of the episode is a flashback revealing Apu's backstory where it's revealed he first came to Springfield to study "under the tutelage of the brilliant Professor John Frink." Apu has one chance to remain in America by passing a citizenship test which Homer and Lisa help him study for.
3 EIGHT MISBEHAVIN'
After various Springfield residents attempt to help Manjula get pregnant by slipping fertility drugs into her food she gives birth to octuplets. Apu and his wife find themselves overwhelmed with eight new mouths to feed until the owner of the Springfield Zoo (aptly named Larry Kidkill) offers a solution.
The children become the stars of their own attraction at the zoo called "Octopia." Apu and Manjula are mortified but Larry Kidkill refuses to release the couple from their contract. Thankfully, Homer agrees to help bust the children out.
2 THE TWO MRS. NAHASAPEEMAPETILONS
This season nine episode introduces the audience to Manjula but not before Apu experiences happiness living the bachelor lifestyle. He goes on various dates with Springfield's most eligible ladies and is in the process of bragging to Homer about how good he has it when his mother arrives from India.
Furious at her son for seemingly turning his back on the family, Apu's mother forces him to go through with his arranged marriage. Apu is terrified at the prospect of spending his life with a strange woman until he finally meets Manjula and experiences love at first sight.
1 HOMER AND APU
Apu is fired from the Kwik-E-Mart after he's caught on camera selling spoiled meat to Homer. Apu moves into the Simpsons house in an attempt to repay the big guy for making him sick. Things are going well and eventually, Apu is accepted as part of the family.
However, inside he's heartbroken about losing his job so he and Homer travel to the Kwik-E-Mart headquarters in India where Apu will beg for his job back. Homer and Apu features a hilarious musical number, "Who Needs the Kwik-E-Mart", and a show-stealing performance from James Woods who replaces Apu at the store.
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