Just Looking ...

Whereas Apu seems to be an example of the "ridiculous" Indian on American television, this is not always the portrayal. I watch Coronation Street, a British soap that plays here on the CBC, and they have a character who is an Indian shop owner. That is the only similarity he has with Apu - he owns not one but I believe it is 7 shops around the city and he also has his hands in other business ventures. He is also educated, and speaks with a British accent - perhaps it would be different if he had the typical 'Indian' accent. He is also set apart from the rest of the characters who are working class, as he is much wealthier, living in a posh apartment and driving a nice car. This seems to illustrate the paradox of the stereotypes - the wise vs. the ridiculous, the primitive vs. the noble.

On another note, I find it interesting that in North America when people say "Asian" they usually refer to China, etc. But in England, the term refers to people of Indian descent.