Site Meter Desperate Housewives » Blog Archive » Filipino joke isn’t so funny

Filipino joke isn’t so funny

by Marilyn Porter

Teri HatcherThis gets filed under: Be careful what you joke about on TV, because someone is going to get upset.  On Sunday night’s episode of “Desperate Housewives”, there was a joke made regarding the quality of a Philippine medical education.  Only, no one is laughing now because now we’ve got some angry Filipinos who want an apology from ABC and the show’s creators.

In case you’re missing what scene I’m referring to, think back to when Susan went in to see the gynocologist (who ended up being her new neighbor, the fabulous Nathan Fillion).  She was told by him that he thought she might be entering menopause as an explanation for her strange hormone levels.  Susan was enraged at the mere suggestion and fired back with, “OK, before we go any further, can I check these diplomas? Just to make sure they aren’t, like, from some med school in the Philippines?”

This prompted many viewers to call in to ABC to complain and as of last night, there were no less than 30,000 names attached to an online petition calling for ABC  to apologize.  Part of the petition read, “A statement that devalues Filipinos in healthcare is extremely unfounded, considering the overwhelming presence of Filipinos and Filipino Americans in the medical field.”

ABC responded on Wednesday with a statement, “The producers of `Desperate Housewives’ and ABC Studios offer our sincere apologies for any offense caused by the brief reference in the season premiere. There was no intent to disparage the integrity of any aspect of the medical community in the Philippines.”  There was even rumblings about the episode being edited to remove the “joke”.

Sounds like a good plan, as this got quite a few people riled up.  The story even topped the news shows in the Philippines and was splashed on newspaper headlines.  Sounds as though ABC made some big mistakes indeed and maybe a more substantial apology is in order.


Posted in News on October 4th, 2007

Link to this Entry

Recent Posts

Related Posts

2 Responses to “Filipino joke isn’t so funny”

  1. Desperate Housewives » Blog Archive » What’s coming up Sunday Says:
    October 12th, 2007 at 7:11 am

    […] news week for “Desperate Housewives”. Much of the news out there has been about the Filipino med school “joke” in the premiere episode and the resulting furor. It’s been hard to find new news to dish up to you, so I apologize […]

  2. TV News | Desperate Housewives, Lost, Ugly Betty and more « Because we like talking about TV as much as you do… Says:
    March 11th, 2008 at 9:20 am

    […] Desperate Housewives | The US network ABC has been forced to apologise for this scene, shown last Sunday, which pokes fun at medical education in the […]

Leave a Reply


About Desperate Housewives

Are you a rabid "Desperate Housewives" fan? Whether you've been tuning in since day one or if you're a new devotee, you'll find all you need and want to know about your favorite show right here. This blog covers episode recaps, news about the stars, spoilers, gossip and speculation. So if one hour a week isn't enough to indulge your fixation, be sure to stop by!

Desperate Housewives Author(s)
    » Jamie-Beckett

NAVIGATE

LINKS

CATEGORIES

TOP COMMENTERS

RECENT COMMENTS

SUBSCRIBE

ARCHIVES

Blogging Flair

 

TV Channel Posts

  • Sports Night marathon continues with Episode 9
    It's taken a little stumble due to 451 Press server issues, but I'm about ready now to get our Sports Night marathon back on track with Episode 9, "The Quality of Mercy at 29K," which originally [...]
  • The Apocalypse Is Quickly Approaching
    A few more links to close out the work day, because we sure as shit are still not doing this noise on our free time. It appears teenage girls are greatly influenced by the machinations and trends [...]
  • Road trip!
    Two brothers and a brother-in-law, promoting their show in Rome. [...]
  • Weeds: "The Three Coolers"
    For all the bitching and moaning we do about a show we're not even sure how enamored we were with in the first place, we thoroughly enjoyed last night's episode. There was an elevated light-hearted [...]
  • The View July 8th Recap: Special Paranormal Themed Episode
    Today's July 8th episode of The View was a special "Paranormal Themed" episode. Joy Behar said that Barbara Walters looked like a gondola driver because of her black and white striped shirt and a [...]
  • Comic Con 2008 Schedule
    The annual San Diego Comic Con is set for the end of July and I'm sure a lot of TV fans in America are looking forward to it. It's this event that puts together most popular TV shows, along with [...]
  • The Office Season 4 DVD Screen Menus
    For release on the 2nd of September, The Office Season 4 DVD is once again packed with Office goodness. The four disc set will be presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen and will carry an English [...]
  • DVD Releases for 7/8
    Here is this week’s edition of new releases of DVDs that feature kids shows. Some are previously seen episodes from television while others are straight to DVD episodes or movies based on kids TV [...]
  • The Office on Celebrity Family Feud
    Tune to the latest game show on NBC Tuesday night as the cast of The Office competes with another team on Celebrity Family Feud. The show will debut tonight, July 8th and the staff will be going up [...]
  • Holy Bachelorette Shocker
    OMG was I ever completely off base in my Bachelorette predictions. First Jeremy came back looking for answers, not Graham. Then DeAnna picked Jesse over Jason. I am still in shock, happy shock but [...]

 

Hot Off The Press

  • Tuesday: Tips for Productivity, Trade Journals
    Here is a quick look at the best productivity tips I've found (for writers, especially) and a few trade journal opportunities. Probably the best tip for productivity is this: Quit reading blogs [...]
  • Rings with Robbie Helzer, Learn basic metalsmithing tech...
    Learn basic metalsmithing techniques such as soldering and sawing as well as ways to embellish through stamping and other mark-making. Complete an original sterling silver ring sized to fit your [...]
  • Wedding Cakes v.2.2.1 (or, take a million and three)
    Your cake can be much more than a simple sugary dessert. It can be the centerpiece of the room sitting on an elevated display table for the duration of your ceremony and reception. It can be the [...]
  • There's a New G.I. Joe Cartoon Coming, Woot!
    One of the coolest news items to come out of the last Joe Con was that Hasbro was going to make a series of short episodes for a G.I. Joe cartoon entitled G.I. Joe: Resolute. Instead of the [...]
  • Weeds: "The Three Coolers"
    For all the bitching and moaning we do about a show we're not even sure how enamored we were with in the first place, we thoroughly enjoyed last night's episode. There was an elevated light-hearted [...]
  • Send out an SOS with Your Socks
    Save Our Soles is one of the best bicycling socks on the market thus far. They are proudly made in Colorado and are made of quality material and quality construction. Bob Weir of the Grateful [...]
  • June Blog Earnings - Up Over May
    It may not be much, but every little bit helps. I started writing at Home Zookeeper, hosted by 451 Press, in May and earned a little over $7 my first month. My earnings for June were over $8! :) YAY! [...]
  • Celebrities Show Up in Style to Gucci Show
    Forget about the models on the runway, it was the stars who attended the Gucci fashion show and party today, July 8, in Rome, Italy that wore the outfits to envy. Let's start with the very best: [...]
  • Anne Hathaway did it again, or didn’t she?
    Anne Hathaway’s red and chic look yesterday has been a real hit as it also made it to InStyle’s Look of the Day, People’s Style Watch, and E!’s Fashion Police. But as she changed outfit [...]
  • Preserve Recycline Toothbrush
    We recycle in our home and have been for years. There is one thing that I have thrown away in the regular garbage forever though without a second thought- my toothbrush. Recycline Preserve [...]