Harry Shearer, a longtime voice actor on "The Simpsons," expressed concerns about the impact of recasting Dr. Hibbert, a character he voiced since 1990. In 2021, amid calls to have non-white characters voiced by actors of corresponding ethnicities, Shearer was replaced by Black actor Kevin Michael Richardson. This decision came after controversy regarding racial representation on the show, particularly related to Hank Azaria's portrayal of Apu Nahasapeemapetilon.
Shearer, who based Dr. Hibbert on comedian Bill Cosby, described the role as a parody of "the whitest Black man on television." He critiqued the recasting decision, suggesting that Richardson's portrayal simply mimicked his own, thus affecting the character's authenticity and effectiveness. The recasting of characters like Dr. Hibbert and Carl Carlson, another Black character previously voiced by Azaria, follows broader industry reflections on diversity and representation. This change reflects the producers' response to critiques and ongoing discussions about cultural sensitivity in voice casting.