ABC issues apology over Desperate Housewives remark
Danny Chan
The American television network ABC has issued an apology following a racially insensitive comment made by a character on one of the broadcaster’s television programs. ABC Studios and the producers of Desperate Housewives apologized on Oct. 3 after a remark disparaging Philippine medical workers was aired on Sept. 30.
“The producers of ‘Desperate Housewives’ and ABC Studios offer our sincere apologies for any offence caused by the brief reference in the season premiere,” ABC said in a statement. “There was no intent to disparage the integrity of any aspect of the medical community in the Philippines. As leaders in broadcast diversity, we are committed to presenting sensitive and respectful images of all communities featured in our programs.”
In the season premiere of Desperate Housewives, the character of Susan Mayer is seen undergoing a medical checkup. “Listen, Susan, I know for a lot of women the word ‘menopause’ has negative connotations. You hear ‘aging’, ‘brittle bones’, ‘loss of sexual desire’,” the gynecologist tells Susan.
“Okay, 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?” Susan’s character, portrayed by Teri Hatcher, retorts.
ABC, owned by the Walt Disney Company, has stated it is considering altering the scene. Viewers had also telephoned the network to voice their displeasure but an ABC spokesperson said the number of callers was unavailable.
The network’s act of contrition came partly after 30,000-plus signatories to an online petition sought an apology from the station. Kevin Nadal, a Filipino-American college lecturer from New York who posted the online petition, said he appreciated the apology but would like the offending dialogue removed from reruns and from any future DVD release.
“I was immediately offended and, really, just hurt. These days, people are supposed to be more sensitive or more aware of what’s considered appropriate,” Mr. Nadal said in an interview. In the online petition, Mr. Nadal decried the comment as unwarranted, especially considering the large number of Filipino healthcare workers in the United States.
“Filipinos are the second largest immigrant population in the United States, with many entering the U.S. and passing their U.S. licensing boards as doctors, nurses, and medical technicians. In fact, the Philippines produces more U.S. nurses than any other country in the world. So, to belittle the education, experience, or value of Filipino Americans in health care is disrespectful and plain and simply ignorant,” the petition stated.
The Desperate Housewives script drew condemnation in the Philippines, with Filipino newspapers and news programs mentioning the incident. ABC also sent the apology to ABS-CBN’s bureau in the United States after several cabinet members, including Francisco Duque III and Eduardo Ermita, expressed outrage over the dialogue. Several Philippine senators said it was insufficient and requested the country’s Foreign Affairs Department file a formal protest with the American government.
Mr. Ermita, the executive secretary, said Malacañang would request an apology on behalf of the country’s professionals. He also called on civil society groups and Filipino organizations in the US to draw attention to the issue.
“Well, on the face, we can look at it as a racial slur. We are looked down upon too much, considering the number of our medical professionals (in the US),” Mr. Ermita told a news conference. Senator Meriam Santiago also echoed the country’s sentiment.
“I am mortally offended by the statement because it betrayed the racial prejudice and denigrate the excellent performance of world-class Filipino doctors in the US,” Ms. Santiago, whose sister works as a physician in Los Angeles, said. Senator Ramon Revilla said ABC’s apology was an inadequate gesture.
“The makers of Desperate Housewives should formally and publicly express their apology in their next episode to signify sincerity,” he said. Others proposed a boycott of the television series.
Claro Cristobal, a Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman, and Mary Jo Bernardo Aragon, the Philippine Consul General to Los Angeles, had written to the network about the dialogue about Philippine medical schools. The spokesman added Filipino medical workers are highly esteemed around the world and are in demand in many countries as well as the US.
“The Philippines is also considered a top medical tourism destination with many foreigners including U.S. citizens who choose to undergo surgical and other medical procedures in recognition of high quality and reasonably priced medical services,” the spokesman said.
