'Desperate' apology over Philippines slur

[yogib37 3]

MANILA (AFP) - Makers of hit US television series "Desperate Housewives" have apologised for a slur against Filipino medical workers that caused an uproar in the Southeast Asian country.

The apology was sent to Philippine broadcaster ABS-CBN's bureau in the United States and aired in the Philippines on Thursday following protests by the Manila government.

"The producers of 'Desperate Housewives' and ABC Studios offer our sincere apologies for any offense caused by the brief reference in the season premiere," cable news channnel ANC quoted the statement as saying.

"There was no intent to disparage the integrity of any aspect of the medical community in the Philippines," it said.

The episode showed actress Teri Hatcher, who plays Susan Mayer, asking during a medical consultation to check "those diplomas because I want to make sure that they're not from some med school in the Philippines."

The apology was made a day after chief aide to Philippine President Gloria Arroyo said the line of dialogue appeared to be a "racial slur."

Philippine Senators said the apology was not enough, and urged their Foreign Affairs Department to lodge a formal protest with the US government.

"I am mortally offended by the statement because it betrayed the racial prejudice and denigrates the excellent performance of world-class Filipino doctors in the US," said Senator Miriam Santiago, whose sister is a doctor working in Los Angeles.

[Jasman0717 9]

Wow Wonder if they met it and what about the writer that wrote it

[Sister Fracas 5]

hmmm....I don't know what this character is suppose to be like on the show, but if it fit in with someting she'd say...racist....then I don't think this should be an issue. In life people say racist things. TV is "suppose" to portray life, albeit even if it's a night-time soap. So how far should writers go with scripts to make sure everyone isn't offended? How much should scripts be watered down until they don't resemble life?

Edited October 4, 2007 by Frances

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

I know the publicist for DH who would have issued this statement - she is, uh, filipina!

[almaty 19]

I know the publicist for DH who would have issued this statement - she is, uh, filipina!

lol!

[Sinergy 3]

I dont think it was any to apologize for.

[boo boo 1]

I love this show very much....trust me...they say ALOT of crazy things...

This episode, Susan goes to the gyno...and her doctor cancelled last minute, so another dr is taking his place...she is fine w/ that...until the dr walks in and she discover's it is her new neighbor. She is very uncomfortable...and during the "exam"..he tells her to relax..many many times.

After the exam, the dr states that everything seemed fine..excepts he questions her about her "irregular period" and then asks if she has night sweats.....that is when she made that statement......because he was thinking she might be going thru menopause. She walks over to his plaques on the wall...and see's that he went to Harvard and graduated in 1997...and then she said " Gosh, I am old....just give me the shot."

I thought the whole scenario was funny....and when that little comment was made...I didn't find it racist at all....she was offended about it being suggested that she could be going thru menopause. You have to watch the show to understand...off the wall things are said all the time....about everything under the sun!!

[eric&gen 0]

They better apologize suckas.

[Sister Fracas 5]

And I DO think it makes more of an impact to be offended by public figures saying something inappropriate or racist in a public venue....but this IS TV afterall.

It reminds me of Dan Quayle getting all goofy about Murphy Brown being an unwed mother.... uh, Dan, it was TV!

Edited October 4, 2007 by Frances

[eau_xplain 2]

I'm wondering though...if it is OK for TV to show racial slurs against Filipinos (in this particular case), how come we don't see any of such slurs about other races and nationalities? Do you think the public would just sit back if the movie character had said something defamatory against African-Americans or Middle Easterners?

Filipinos have a great sense of humor and we are not afraid to make fun of ourselves and our culture. But when something that is so clearly untrue and derogatory is being touted on TV, then we don't take it lying down.

[Peikko 1,575]

Don't these things depend on their being a public perception, however erroneous, that something is at least party true for it be even possible to attempt humour over it? Moreover, I would have thought that there would have to be some explicit implication through the joke that this perception is somehow a true depiction of reality, that indeed the writers/actors/promoters of the show intend to promote the idea that Filipino medical facilities and training are second/third rate for this to be a slur. It would seem to me that these shows are more often than not pointing out the absurdity of these perceptions than trying to perpetuate them.

[Sister Fracas 5]

I'm wondering though...if it is OK for TV to show racial slurs against Filipinos (in this particular case), how come we don't see any of such slurs about other races and nationalities? Do you think the public would just sit back if the movie character had said something defamatory against African-Americans or Middle Easterners?

You DO see it....ALL the time....but again, I think you have to look at it for what it is... a fictional TV program. This show, I don't believe, was trying to make the implication that Philippine medical schools are inferior. Maybe they were trying to point out the ignorance that is out there that foreign medical graduates are not up to snuff.

Filipinos have a great sense of humor and we are not afraid to make fun of ourselves and our culture. But when something that is so clearly untrue and derogatory is being touted on TV, then we don't take it lying down.

If Teri Hatcher, the actress, came out and said Philippine Medical Schools are substandard, I'd have to agree that there was an offense and that she should apologize. But Teri Hatcher's character made the remark. Two different things in my eyes.

Oh, and lodging a formal protest with the US government.........isn't that a tad OTT

Edited October 4, 2007 by Frances

[almaty 19]

I'm wondering though...if it is OK for TV to show racial slurs against Filipinos (in this particular case), how come we don't see any of such slurs about other races and nationalities? Do you think the public would just sit back if the movie character had said something defamatory against African-Americans or Middle Easterners?

Filipinos have a great sense of humor and we are not afraid to make fun of ourselves and our culture. But when something that is so clearly untrue and derogatory is being touted on TV, then we don't take it lying down.

lol..watch 24...middle easterns are slurred plenty