Fil-Am Culture

“Desperate Housewives” Denigrates Medical Degrees from the Philippines

In last night’s episode (09-30-07) of “Desperate Housewives” on ABC, Susan Mayer, a neurotic character played by Teri Hatcher, insulted those who got their medical degrees from the Philippines.

The scene was where Susan Mayer asked for the credentials of the gynecologist who examined her and then told her about the possibility of menopause. She then responded with:

“… Can I check those diplomas ‘coz I just want to make sure that they’re not from some med school in the Philippines.”

If you found this offensive, make some noise!
Petition Online
ABC’s Desperate Housewives Message Board
File a complaint with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
ABC Audience Relations Department Tel: (818) 460-7477 and Address: ABC, Inc., 500 S. Buena Vista Street, Burbank, CA 91521-4551

Questions: Who wrote the scene? Who approved the script? Who thought insulting doctors who got their degrees in the Philippines was a joke?

ABC is a division of Walt Disney Co.

UPDATE: 10-04-07

• Inquirer.net - ‘Desperate’ says sorry; Fil-Ams say it’s not enough
• BBC News: Filipino fury at Housewives joke
• Gulf News: ABC ‘desperate’ after soap slip
• Africa: ‘Housewives’ sparks outrage
• Canada: ABC apologizes to angry Filipinos over Desperate Housewives
• ABC Local - ‘Desperate Housewives’ Filipino joke draws criticism; ABC apologizes, considers editing show
• ‘Yahoo News - Desperate Housewives’ apology over Philippines slur
• Online Petition Latest Count: 71,000 Total Signatures
• Technocrati Lastest Count: 629 blogs about Philippines-Desperate Housewives

An apology is not enough, edit or delete the scene from future airings and DVD’s.