Desperate Housewives Episode Racial Slur
ABC Studios has issued an apology to the Filipino people following an uproar over a controversial line delivered by Teri Hatcher’s character in this premiere episode of Desperate Housewives’ season 4, wherein medical schools in the Philippines were disparaged.
The apology says:
“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. As leaders in broadcast diversity, we are committed to presenting sensitive and respectful images of all communities featured in our programs.”
The controversial episode
desperate housewivesThe premiere episode of Season 4 was aired on Sept. 30, 2007, titled “Now You Know.”
Here is an excerpt o the episode recap on the Desperate Housewives official website:
Susan goes to see her doctor about her irregular periods and is informed he’s busy, would she mind being seen by his new partner? She agrees, but is taken aback when she realizes it’s Dr. Adam Mayfair, Catherine’s husband, whom she just met the day before. She reluctantly submits to an exam. He hints that she might be experiencing signs of menopause and wants her to take a blood test to be sure. She declares she’s not nearly old enough for that yet. That is, until she sees that he just graduated from med school 10 years ago, and she agrees to take the test.
The episode recap did not mention Susan’s reluctance to be seen by the doctor due to her doubts on his diploma, if they were from “some med school in the Philippines.”
The apology says:
“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. As leaders in broadcast diversity, we are committed to presenting sensitive and respectful images of all communities featured in our programs.”
The controversial episode
desperate housewivesThe premiere episode of Season 4 was aired on Sept. 30, 2007, titled “Now You Know.”
Here is an excerpt o the episode recap on the Desperate Housewives official website:
Susan goes to see her doctor about her irregular periods and is informed he’s busy, would she mind being seen by his new partner? She agrees, but is taken aback when she realizes it’s Dr. Adam Mayfair, Catherine’s husband, whom she just met the day before. She reluctantly submits to an exam. He hints that she might be experiencing signs of menopause and wants her to take a blood test to be sure. She declares she’s not nearly old enough for that yet. That is, until she sees that he just graduated from med school 10 years ago, and she agrees to take the test.
The episode recap did not mention Susan’s reluctance to be seen by the doctor due to her doubts on his diploma, if they were from “some med school in the Philippines.”
In this video clip, the gynecologist tells her: “Listen, Susan, I know for a lot of women the word ‘menopause’ has negative connotations. You hear ‘ageing,’ ‘brittle bones,’ ‘loss of sexual desire.’ ”
To which Susan replies:
“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?”
