Re:The Simpsons by the Data
by asgardiator on Wednesday September 28, 2016 @02:10PM
(#12599882)
Smithers is literally the archetypal sycophant.
I don't think that's true. A sycophant is motivated by the desire for advancement, and is typically insincere. Smithers is sincere and motivated by love, which makes him much more interesting.
Re:The Simpsons by the Data
by jonathankoren on Wednesday September 28, 2016 @04:26PM
(#12601061)
Apu is a stereotype. Now granted, he's on a show filled with stereotypes, and he's not always portrayed negatively, but he is still a stereotype. (In all honesty, sitcoms are all filled with stereotypes.)
Smithers in the archetypical yes-man.
Dr. Hibbert isn't so much a stereotype as much as a parody of Dr Huxtable.
Most of the male (and female) characters are ridiculous, because the show is fundamentally about ridiculous people. But that's not the only kind of character they have.