I understand that Desperate Housewives is one of the most popular shows on Studio 23 here in the Philippines. But I bet few Filipinos would be too happy with one line uttered by Teri Hatcher’s character in the season 4 premiere “Now You Know”, which aired on September 30 in the United States.
The line in question was spoken by Hatcher’s Susan Mayer in a scene where she was doubting the findings of her OB-gynecologist, played by Serenity star Nathan Fillion. In the scene, Fillion’s character was apparently suggesting that Mayer was starting to experience menopause. Shaken and in denial, Mayer started questioning her OB-gyne’s professional abilities, and then said:
“Before we go any further, can I check those diplomas,’cause I would just like to make sure that they’re not from some med school in the Philippines?”
My jaw dropped. WTF?
Now I’m not some flag-waving ultranationalist who’s blind to the Philippines’ ills, of which it has a truckload of, but come on! Can you honestly believe that our doctors suck that much that they have to become a punchline in an American TV show created by a gay person (Marc Cherry) who is presumably liberal and not predisposed to racial slurs such as this? I just never realized that the people who write for this show could be such racists.
It’s just a stupid show, I know, but that still ticked me off. No matter how cynical I’ve gotten with all the crap in this country, it’s still annoying when foreigners talk about us like they know better, when they’re clearly just as messed up as we are. Maybe even a whole lot more. We’re not the ones getting their kids killed and killing kids in Iraq, are we?
If it’s any comfort to Pinoys, Fillion’s character, who actually became such a talented doctor after undergoing expert training at Harvard Medical School, went to Susan’s home towards the end of the episode and apologized, for he made a mistake diagnosing Susan’s condition the first time around. She is actually pregnant, not menopausal.

Mind you that this was send thru email by a friend.Cant find the original uRL though

Here is one URL relevant to the topic
Clickie

DO you think that some people are overreacting to it?Or is it really worth fighting for?
Some havent even watched the whole series,yet complain about it being a part of the script.Well,dish out yer opinions

I think they should apologize.. hindi lang sya degrading for us as Filipinos but it also affects the credibility of working Filipino doctors abroad.

They already did.
The thing is,most people aren't still satisfied with their one-paragraph apology.

narinig ko din yan sa news last night....at talagang Philippines talaga ano? /hmm

Do we not do this kind of jokes too? Racial ba talaga yung joke... Gay and ugly people jokes sa pilipinas.. ok lang ba yun? How about joking comments about the latest happenings in the US... ok lang ba yun?

To sum it up... ang OA ng reactions about the topic. There's fine line between nationalism and over acting.

EDIT:
problem is, they have a reason, although not enough, still they have one. its a comedy show. if a TV anchor or host said that, now that is a different story.

^i agree with this guy above. don't be a hypocrite ginagawa din naman natin ung mga jokes na ganun right? everything is funny until the jokes are on us. Have you seen the movie, Transformers? it was very nice and a bit comedic. may part nga dun that shows an Indian call center agent talking to one of the actors, i know you guys laughed about that so much just like i did.

Di rin naman porket sinabi nya yun eh totoo na. don't let your emotions cloud your rationality and sense of humor

Even if it's already a common thing to make fun of other race, country, culture, status, etc.. it doesnt make it right & ok. Kung may nainsulto man sa isang joke.. it's their right to voice it out and do something bout it. How can we really blame a person if they got offended even from just one lousy joke. Di naman natin kontrolado ang feelings and reactions ng mga tao. Di rin natin alam kung gano kalaki ang effect nito sa isang tao. In this case, the most who got affected and insulted are Doctors who graduated here in the Philippines.

Madami ang nanonood ng Desperate Housewives.. and what does this line says about our Filipino Doctors? it's indirectly saying that our doctors are incompetent and not credible. Remember there's a saying that "jokes are half meant". Even if this line was delivered as a joke. Some people who aren't Filipino might take it seriously.. and won't trust Filipino doctors with their lives.

And as for overreacting.. maybe some of them are. IMO if producers of the show already apologize, then just get over it and get on with your lives already.. pero sino ba naman ako hindi naman ako ang direct na ininsulto at naapektohan.

Btw.. another issue. Is America Ready for a Woman President?

there's a picture of Cory Aquino with the word slut in it.

Another problem with the issues is that highlighted yung part na yan. A known comedian from our country already said that it depends on the context or the script of the whole story. Willie Nepamuceon? Not sure about the spelling.

Did Miriam Santiago got offended? Not sure about the relation of law to medicine. She called for to boycott Desperate Housewives in Asia. Now the jokes continental.

Not sure about the saying "Jokes are half meant". I really would like to meet whoever started that saying. Because that would mean, a family who is closely bonded, makes a joke about another family member that they dont love him/her, it would mean they half meant that.. hmm.. I guess the saying should be explained further.

And about the video.. a comment from one of the user in youtube quoting willie nepa.

What is the issue here? What would make a joke, just a plain joke? Should it not be a racial or categorical thing?

If those doctors really believe in themselves, theres no point to be offended. Ang mas magandang gawin ng mga doctor na yan, do something so unusually great that the whole world will notice, then slap it in America's face.

I totally agree.. but then still like I said people react on certain situations differently.. some are sensitive and some are not.

And regarding the "Jokes are half meant". Well I guess not all jokes.. but some jokes are. And in this case.. we know somehow that's how other countries looks at Filipinos, kaya din siguro ganyan ang reaction.

Lets compare this situation to RO. Lets say the different guilds are different countries. Diba konting pangaasar lang ng isang member ng guild sa isa pang guild merong sobrang mka react. And sobrang pagdedepensa sa ka-guild or guild nila.

Anyway, I'm not saying that I agree with those people's reactions. Ang sakin lang.. I don't want to judge nor tell them what's the right thing to do or feel since I'm not directly affected. Unless if it's really getting too ridiculous already. :blink:

The way people are reacting, especially in the media and politics... I guess its time to tell them how to react. =))

Problem lang rin sa comparison kasi well... Yung pang-aasar is more of... insulting sa RO and not joking. hmm..

Masyado ata na-praning mga pinoy dahil sa Malu Fernandez fiasco.

What type of show was it again? A drama show? Not!
And the idiots have the nerve to point out Jon Stewart. Jon GOD DAMN Stewart? A racist? =))

False sense of nationalism if you ask me.

well, IMO kaya iba ung effect ng joke sa most filipinos is because they are not 'close' with whoever made the joke. i can't put it exactly into words, but i'll just cite an example...

you and you're bestfriend met each other, he gave you a dirty finger and called you mom a whore, obviously you'll laugh if its your usual way of 'greeting' each other. but what if a complete stranger did the same to you? even if its meant to be a joke, isn't it insulting and degrading? kahit na comedian pa yang tao na yan, if he's a stranger and you're not closely knit, offending pa rin yan and who ever made the joke owes and apology.

well, that's just my 2 cents

If you do this comments or things in comedy shows its really a different story. Filipinos bash America all the time. Its not even meant to be a joke. Anyone saw them complain? Did the whole USA demanded an apology and passed a bill banning every Filipino comedian and producer in the USA?

Walang rationale yung mga decision ng politicians dito. Napaka-OA talaga. Dapat i-Ban rin tayo sa amerika for bashing them every time.

Jokes in America is sooo degrading if someone doesnt have a really really tolerating sense of humor. I watch all late night shows and special comedy shows like Blue collar TV and MADtv. Its basically get the joke, laugh, forget about it.

@^

The thing is, not everybody is like us. Not every Filipino has cable TV. Not every Filipino has gotten a chance to either interact, work with, or even go to another country.

It has a LOT to do with one's upbringing/culture really.

@tohfz

for one is we don't make fun of the united states or any of its political constituents on our comedy shows (well at least, i don't remember seeing any episode doing such). how can you say that filipinos bash americans all the time? if you're pertaining to militants and activists that rallies in front of the US embassy then that's a completely different situation.

basically you're saying that if those things are done in comedy shows, then its alright? i don't think so. not everything in a comedy show is funny nor even entertaining. not everyone appreciates all kinds of humor. if it's okay with americans, it doesn't necessarily mean it's alright with filipinos as well. comedians need to be sensitive of jokes they crack while the audience needs to be understanding of the humor being thrown. if either fails to do its part, then its not funny anymore.

i'd have to agree with you on what our local politicians are doing is uncalled for, but it doesn't change the fact that the aforementioned shows made a mistake and owed an apology.

Desperate Housewives line is OK.
because, Teri Hatcher portrays a character that is level-headed.
So,I mean,If Filipinos dont have cable TV nor watch the show--why Over react on something you have no knowledge of.

Jon Stewart issue.Well,Calling someone a 'slut' is very degrading,especially if you label it on a Respected Political Figure such as Cory Aquino.Should he have labelled it on Kris Aquino--the whole country wouldnt react that much

siguro nga mas comedy ung effect sa filipinos kung si kris aquino ung nabigyan ng label :lolz:

Ok so filipinos dont bash Americans at all. Not all the time pero sometimes we do, if thats the point. So the show being a comedy type of show is irrelevant?

Is there any basis whatsoever when and where will we take jokes seriously, degrading, or downright absurd? How can people be mad if there are no basis. Its a bad joke. How can anyone measure a bad joke? should it not be racial? should it not degrade profession?

If I say, "all americans are blood sucking money grabbing idiots", what should I be? A comedian or a militant?

How can a joke be ok? If its accepted by the majority? or should everyone not be offended? That would make bubble gangs jokes not acceptable because someone will and shall be offended one way or another. a million viewer, 1 of them is bound to be offended.

I guess we just dont have a darn measure for this things... Jokes should be taken as jokes, and not to be taken as half meant at all. Then again.. we dont have any measure right...?

All I hope for now is that politicians to not over react on this things.

And if does have a lot to do with culture and upbringing, since jokes dont take culture and upbringing into consideration that much, we should ban jokes or jokes that has to do with other cultures... But as the world works, thats impossible.

This lady entirely gets the point. If you watch The Daily Show that oftern (which I do. I even have Jon Stewart's book.) you know what he means by it.

It's just that people don't understand/get/have an entirely different view on what good comedy is about.

http://jessicarulestheuniverse.com/2007/10/08/idiots/

Basically, what's offensive to some may not be offensive to others. In this case, the desperate housewives line is not an issue for me. I even find it flattering because I sense that the writer is using his script as his defense mechanism.

Bottom line is...that writer is paranoid and is getting scared because all the jobs in their country are being taken over by foreigners. I bet you that writer is white. :lolz:

For some of those people who have reacted siguro hindi talaga nila kilala si Susan Mayer (not Teri Hacther ah). If you guys know naman Susan, ganun talaga yung character niya.

OA lang talaga yung iba.

eto RESBAK kay TERI HATCHER !!

Resback :aversion: