Twitter: [del.icio.us] Customer Experience Matters http://tinyurl.com/365rwo 1 day ago

An Open Letter of Apology to the Cast and Crew of Desperate Housewives

Posted on October 5, 2007 
Filed Under Daily, Internets, The Man Blog

Dear cast and crew of Desperate Housewives,

TV shows come and go. Every so often, there comes a point when the life of a television series starts to flicker and grow dim. Worse, there is always a putrid uncertainty that comes with wondering if our favorite TV shows will even return as networks, with an insensitive and cruel disregard, toy with our emotions with executives waiting until the last minute to decide which shows live on and which shows drop from the lineup to their certain deaths.

Your show, Desperate Housewives, was one of the shows I wished death upon after its first season. And can you blame me? The inexplicably retarded storytelling, random betrayals and suicidally poignant interpersonal drama, as well as all the twists, turns, flips, flops and flops that happened midway through the 2nd season made the show really painful to watch. A pain which is, perhaps, worse than losing a loved one. Maybe even two loved ones in a bizarre hotel fire.

But still, I continued to watch. And I did so only because of Teri Hatcher and Eva Fucking Longoria.

There was actually a time when I was so obsessed with Teri and Eva that had either one of them asked me to quit my job, I would’ve said “done”; That had either one of them asked me to renounce my fleshly ways and dedicate my life to reading the bible, I would’ve said “done”; that had either of them asked me to embrace people from all walks of life and cultures and maybe give up sweets, I would’ve said “not until you give me a blowjob.” You get the point.

I was pretty smitten; so when I first heard about what many claimed to be a sweeping, insulting remark about medical schools in the Philippines made by Teri Hatcher’s character in one episode, I remained relatively indifferent to the issue.

Showing a modicum of class when you’re not required to is a tough act; so you guys can only imagine my surprise when your network issued a public apology for your little “racial slur.”

I know it should’ve been water under the bridge now but there seemed to be a call for blood and a major brouhaha even after your public apology was issued.

Now, I believe in the power of forgiveness and in the same manner that you apologized to us, I would like to apologize to you on behalf of my countrymen who do not have the intellectual capacity to understand satirized humor.

Since this is a rather rare opportunity for me, let me start off by apologizing for our country’s bastardization of Christianity by creating sects based on the twin principles of destroying other forms of faith and getting a tenth of their members’ monthly income. Oh how I digress.

All told, I would like to urge you to go on and do your thing with Desperate Housewives. Our Television industry lives off your ideas. I mean, who knows, in the near future, maybe we can make a sanitized rip-off show which stars Cherry pie Picache, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Ruffa Mae Quinto and Kris Aquino. Remember Dawson’s Creek? Remember Tabing ilog?

It’s just that we, as a people in general, are very sensitive when it comes to our sense of nationalism. But then again, we can always count on Christian Bautista to work on that can’t we?


Comments

66 Responses to “An Open Letter of Apology to the Cast and Crew of Desperate Housewives”

  1. Pau on October 5th, 2007 5:15 am

    And now I have the link which I will use as my YM status for the next week or so.

    Also, what a fattie.

  2. E.J. on October 5th, 2007 5:16 am

    Ditto.

    What you said just about sums it up:

    “Showing a modicum of class when you’re not required to is a tough act; so you guys can only imagine my surprise when your network issued a public apology for your little “racial slur.”

    I know it should’ve been water under the bridge now but there seemed to be a call for blood and a major brouhaha even after your public apology was issued.

    Now, I believe in the power of forgiveness and in the same manner that you apologized to us, I would like to apologize to you on behalf of my countrymen who do not have the intellectual capacity to understand satirized humor.”

    I’m with you and those of us who “actually get it”.

  3. benj on October 5th, 2007 5:33 am

    I’m seriously wondering why I’m included in that list. Haha

  4. E.J. on October 5th, 2007 5:33 am

    Dude, I think you put your link to me on the wrong list. ;)

  5. benj on October 5th, 2007 5:50 am

    I think Aloyloy’s (he’s a doctor) response was in the “getting it” column as well. Despite being a doctor, he asserted that the show did nothing to erode the status of Filipinos as the top exporter of health professionals to the US.

    Did the producers intend to destroy the image of Filipinos working as MDs in the States? I don’t think so. Did they intend to devalue and discriminate against Pinoy MDs? Surely that was not the intent of the scene. The script called for a spur-of-the-moment reaction to a really important turning point in the show, and the scriptwriters delivered what they thought was the most realistic line they could think of. It appears to be as simple as that.

    Which brings me to the next point. How realistic is this situation? I think the answer can be found in the petition itself. The Philippines is the largest exporter of health care workers (doctors, nurses, med techs) to the United States. “Many of the hospitals in major metropolitan areas of the US (and the world) would not be able to operate without its Filipino and Filipino American staff members,” the petition writes. If people in the Philippines talk about the diaspora of health workers to greener pastures abroad, then certainly, locals/natives in the areas where Pinoys have migrated to talk about it as well. It is this reality that is portrayed in the fated episode, and it is this reality that Pinoys in the States have to face.

    Immigration and discrimination as issues have always touched raw nerves in American society… portraying them on TV does not make these issues any more contentious. If at all, television is a product of reality; and if we want TV to be an honest picture of what’s happening in real life, we surely wouldn’t want it to be politically correct. Television shows MUST comment about daily life, and it must do so in the most unbiased manner possible, as honestly as possible. It is thus inevitable to touch on racial discrimination and other issues that other people, choosing to be ignorant, would rather keep under the rug. Otherwise, we’d have TV that is bland, unrealistic, and socially irrelevant (not to mention un-entertaining).

    The petition calls for an apology from the producers. My question is, how far does this apology go? Will it be able to correct the grassroots-level discrimination against Pinoy MDs in the States, obviously the source and inspiration for the storyboard? If the producers do apologize, how does this confront the issue of discrimination and immigration? Will it make the situation any better?

    All this noise in the wrong direction is drowning out the most important question of all: why are these Pinoy MDs in the US anyway?

  6. Karlo.PinoyBlogero on October 5th, 2007 6:00 am

    Nice. Hope ABC would reply to this letter.

    BTW, What the hell does Manny Pacquiao got to do with anything? Lol.

  7. Prudence on October 5th, 2007 6:13 am

    A creative way of writing your opinion on the issue. I blogged about this, too. And I’ve read some of posts that are listed. I hope you don’t mind if I link this post.

    My favorite post, though, would be that of Dr. Martin Bautista. Check it out: http://mbautistamd.blogspot.com/2007/10/whos-desperate.html

  8. lalon on October 5th, 2007 6:18 am

    Hi, I see your points well and clear here and I agree to most of them.

    However, for me it’s not just about the taking it as a ’satirized joke’ but actually, the content behind it. Throwing that line off a script eventually left a question of credibility in some medical schools here and sad to say, it may be generalized. I didn’t really see it as a racial slur although it is subject to a single race, we Filipinos (since we’re pinpointed). IMO, this ain’t an anti-Filipino thing, but more of an imperative that ’some med schools’ here sucks, big time! I know we have issues in our medical profession here but they deserve respect and telling the show that what they did was offensive, is just proper (of course with no overreactions).

    Now I’m glad that they’ve already issued an apology and I know that a lot of us overreacted on this issue, including me (to an extent). Good thing is, I didn’t make a post about this for I wanted to listen first before I say my piece.

    ^__^

  9. Jayvee on October 5th, 2007 6:22 am

    I’m with you here, Mike.

    Some Pinoys are over-reacting to the tiny racial slur like they haven’t commited any crimes of racial slurs in our very own television shows here in the country.

    Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

    Pinoys have too much pride in them that sometimes they are too proud when there’s nothing to be proud about in the first place.

    What’s worse there is I’m reading a lot of jolog posts, not to mention nonsense and bullshit, about the issue on Blogger, Xanga and Friendster Blogs.

  10. Prudence on October 5th, 2007 6:28 am

    to Jayvee:

    “I’m reading a lot of jolog posts…”
    — Hahaha. Somebody might get you for that. Hehe. But I do agree with what you said.

  11. dexie on October 5th, 2007 6:37 am

    I’m one of the few who gets it so maybe I should’nt be on the list of bloggers you need to apologize for.. :)

  12. ella on October 5th, 2007 7:05 am

    Thank you so much for linking me to your blog. It was my pleasure to read your thoughts about yet another issue that seems to have gotten out of hand.

    I may not totally agree with your interpretation, but I can at least say that you were able to express yourself clearly, without any of the fluff that all too often clouds the writing and therefore the thinking of many bloggers.

    Some of us can get too emotional, I guess, especially when we perceive that an insult has been thrown our way. Retarded freaks we may be. And some people, like you, would simply prefer to let such insults pass. Well, understandably, you won’t care to comment because such bs is beneath you.

    Good thing I was linked to the wonderful blog of a non-retardate.

  13. noemi on October 5th, 2007 8:48 am

    AWW I’m not in the list of bloggers. hehe

  14. Mikey on October 5th, 2007 8:52 am

    About the list: I just lifted it off someone else’s blog so don’t go “OMG IM ON THE LIST EVEN IF I AGREEDED WITH HIM WFT!? IM GONNA GO PEE MY PEE PEE PANTS NOW! SUICIDE!”

    Plagiarism is an awesome awesome thing.

    Also, I’ll respond to all your comments tomorrow. Sleepy time!

  15. jayvee f. on October 5th, 2007 10:54 am

    @prudence: hey wait, that’s a different Jayvee :)

  16. Helga on October 5th, 2007 11:17 am

    Mike, check this out: http://mikevilla.com/

    John LOLnon!

  17. Baklang AJ on October 5th, 2007 11:19 am

    No need to apologize for me, but thanks!

    Thank you too for apologizing for that Ultra-Morally-Upright and moral standards-imposing Congressman Abante.

  18. Youreajerk on October 5th, 2007 12:57 pm

    Youre a Jerk!
    SUCKER!

  19. Everett on October 5th, 2007 4:13 pm

    Gay,

    No wonder you keep assraping eva longoria in your dreams. your girlfriend looks like she had a sex change. Know you won’t take offense since this is all above you.

  20. Ade on October 5th, 2007 5:03 pm

    Okay, I just KNEW it was a matter of time before the retards come commenting in droves. Well done Mike, you have attracted yet another batch of satirically-incapable idiots. Let’s wait for MOAR hate comments to pour in LOLZ!11

  21. Everett on October 5th, 2007 5:11 pm

    ;)

  22. alohapenny on October 5th, 2007 5:36 pm

    What happened to blog silence? I agree with you here though, I dont understand why pinoys made a big deal out of it.

    @Helga : OMG!! i was LOLing for 10mins

  23. DrE on October 5th, 2007 6:54 pm

    Maybe, people who could not understand why the 30,000 Filipinos in the US mostly doctors and nurses and othe professionals petitioned for an apology is because they not doctors practicing in the US. maybe.. that’s why. It’s a fictional degradation of my profession, alright and fictional or not, when you are in the US, it’s hard not to get hurt…because the mere fact that WE ARE PHILIPPINE GRADUATES of some medical Schools ( by the way, I am a product of my dear Alma Mater , FEU DRNRMF) made us feel that it is what they thought of the Philippine Medical graduates. What you guys don’t know, we give our sweat and tears to be in the mainstream, head to head with our American colleagues. We have to prove ourselves 3x to 10 x more to get to be at the same level of them, …I am speaking for myself…as I am a practicing Family Physician of 24 years with out Malpractice suits, with 80% Whites/10% Hispanics/8% Asians/1 % Blacks as my patients. It’s not about NOTHING…We Filipinos, just like other immigrants always have to prove ourselves in America, and we are not going to allow to make fun of us who worked so hard to be where we are right now by just some BIMBO and an ignorant writer. So you Filipinos in the Philippines, you have to know that we Filipions here are more patriotic to stand for our being Filipinos. I don’t care if you don’t feel that way…but you have to respect the 30,000 people who sigend the petitions. Your 2 doctor friends are probably 2 brown skinned-doctors who think they are white!!!
    FYI: in the first place, the writer was not informed on how a physician is able to practice in the USA. First, the foreign educated docs need to pass their countries’ board exam. Then they go to their countries’ residency program, Then apply to the US to get to the matching program, then if accepted, would have to pass the FMG’s exam. Then these docs will go to internship and 3-4 years of residency AGAIN. Then will take the US grueling board exams. NOW, do you guys get it?
    It’s not about Diploma, you can have as many diplomas as you want, but if you are not SMART enough to go thorugh above….you’re not practicing in the US, and that’s the bottom line…HATCHER and the the show just INSULTED the hard working, licensed practicing Filipino MD’s in the US.

  24. E.J. on October 5th, 2007 7:07 pm

    Mike, Ade, et al.

    Hate comments? Wanton stupidity? I got my fair share of that (major shitload, I tellsses you) on my blog. I have MOARER!

  25. Rad on October 5th, 2007 9:58 pm

    Thank God I’ve read your post. I was thinking if I’m a disgrace to the Philippine nation because I’m not shouting for the show’s blood. Maybe because I’m so use to watching Americans insulting and making fun of their fellow Americans (Re: Bush, Lohan, Britney) in late night shows that I really don’t make a big deal out of it cause it’s obviously not a big deal for them.

    I understand why the Philippine Medical industry is so insulted and hurt, it was like, where the hell did that come from? I’d be insulted too if some show said something crappy about Filipino video editors. But the network did issue an apology already and from last I heard, forgiveness is a good thing. They already have what you initially asked, why throw stones and ask for more…wait, what is more, anyway? Everyone should just calm down, the show and character is fiction and not an opinion. Teri Hatcher didn’t utter that remark, the writers wrote it (obviously) for her to say. My guess is they just randomly pick a third world country without actually thinking about it.

    Let’s stop this and let it go.

  26. mikeinmanla on October 6th, 2007 12:36 am

    The real most probable reason this thing went so far is her, the senate adjourned the ZTE hearings,
    Arroyo is out of the country.
    And local media needed someone to write about because of the continuing ratings war online and on TV.
    This next two days it will about something else.
    Like comedy central.

  27. Prudence on October 6th, 2007 3:04 am

    @jayvee f.

    — hahaha, my mistake. I thought it was you. :-)

    @jayvee

    — the comment can still apply to what you’ve said :-)

  28. avatar on October 6th, 2007 9:55 am

    I don’t know, If the filipino med guys in the US worked damn hard for where they are now, then why the hell would they get insecure with a one line joke. They call themselves patriotic? liars! it’s about the money. why don’t they go back to the philippines where they are needed and there is a major shortage of doctors?

    Whatever that joke meant, it was a one time thing. People would forget. But it blew out of proportion because of just the 30,000 who got insulted? ridiculous!

  29. mukong on October 6th, 2007 5:52 pm

    MIKE = ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST…….CLASSIC

  30. mae on October 6th, 2007 10:41 pm

    I’m so glad I have intellectuals in my feed reader, otherwise I would have pulled out all my hair in sheer frustration in this most recent “issue”

    @Everett Now THAT is so uncalled for

  31. Paul on October 7th, 2007 12:23 am

    Everett,

    Real classy man, easy to say since you probably heard it all your life. I know you’ll take offense, your small minded ways have got your panties in a bind. Get a life dude, learn how to take a joke, its desperate housewives for crying out loud. Why don’t you put that anger to good use & fight for the filipinos in a positive way!

  32. Paul on October 7th, 2007 12:42 am

    P.S.

    Good move not commenting on such an ass, WTF, your girlfriends hot

  33. Paul on October 7th, 2007 12:43 am

    P.S.

    Mike, good move not commenting on such an ass, WTF, your girlfriends hot

  34. Everett on October 7th, 2007 1:10 am

    If you think I’m the one exploding with anger or offense then suit yourself. ;)

    “There was actually a time when I was so obsessed with Teri and Eva that had either one of them asked me to quit my job, I would’ve said “done”; That had either one of them asked me to renounce my fleshly ways and dedicate my life to reading the bible, I would’ve said “done”; that had either of them asked me to embrace people from all walks of life and cultures and maybe give up sweets, I would’ve said “not until you give me a blowjob.” You get the point.”

    It’s Desperate housewives. Exactly. I commented on Mr. mike villar’s said obsession with the show’s stars.

    I go get a life now, learn to take a JOKE and practice anger management for THE FILIPINOS.

    Bye!

  35. avatar on October 7th, 2007 1:36 am

    Haha. if you don’t know the difference between a personal, low blow joke to a satirized one then don’t get a life. Get a gun and just shoot yourself in the head and do all of us a favor.

  36. mai on October 7th, 2007 2:35 am

    Seriously, what’s low blow to Mike Villar? We’re talking about the author of Atrocities here. If he gives himself the right to laugh at what random people from Friendster look like or call other bloggers “retarded” or “ignorant” because they have other opinions, SATIRE or not, then he should be able to take the same shit, no problemo.

  37. MDUSA on October 7th, 2007 4:28 am

    We complained because we are Filipino Doctors in the U.S. who were offended. It questined our credibility and pride. If the producers/writers of the show did think it was referring to the NURSING exam fiasco last year then they are mistaken. Not Doctors. Hence the need to Correct it, lest we further propagate it (not based on facts or even fiction). I am happy with thee ABC apology. That it. No further. Other issues and racial slurs regarding the Philippines…might have some historical context…But MD is a noble profession, for it to be tainted by careless remarks..needs to be challenged and corrected. I am for free speech…but this was clearly a mistake on the writer. Now if you guys think that the petition was wrong. Then you do not understand us. If its regarding what was requested afterwards ex Donation…then i agree with you that it sounds too much. I praise all the Doctors who supported us. Also the non-doctors who helped. But let us keep it regarding Filipino MD and their schools. The rest(non-MD - who are opposed to the petition) cannot understand us anyway, so whats the use convincing them.

  38. Mikey on October 7th, 2007 8:15 am

    Aside from having a micro penis, I have this uncanny ability NOT to get insulted. ever.

    But I am impressed at how many people would actually step up to defend me. All of you who did get free sexual favors from me.

    And to those of you whose opinions differ from mine, I’d just like to say that you’re all wrong.

    Also you’re all retarded and ignorant. And who knows? Maybe even fat.

  39. MDUSA on October 7th, 2007 10:25 am

    I did not want to react further, but your last statement - was contradicting with each other (not to get insulted - then a last tirade of retarded and ignorant - Thats amazing! No wonder you are confused….I guess you have been confused ever since…including your gender…hahaha… you are funny nevertheless…

  40. E.J. on October 7th, 2007 5:20 pm

    MDUSA,

    It’s called wit and sarcasm. Two things you will obviously never really grasp.

  41. micketymoc on October 7th, 2007 5:52 pm

    Eva Fucking Longoria and Mike Fucking Villar? I didn’t know you were related.

    There’s a movie right there - the Fuckings family reunion. :)

  42. His Awesomeness on October 7th, 2007 7:10 pm

    Why do we give an awful ton of shit in being Filipinos anyway? Pure and half-blood Filipinos in the US must learn when to accept apologies and move on. Being in the US, they should know how American humor works. I totally agree with what Mike said. The protests and anti-Desperate Housewives articles are overkill.

  43. His Awesomeness on October 7th, 2007 7:19 pm

    To MDUSA,

    if your credibility and pride were seriously hit by that one-liner from Teri Hatcher, then just come back home.

  44. MDUSA on October 7th, 2007 8:24 pm

    To HIS Awesomeness,

    Nice handle by the way….Unlike you we don’t run from our problems…Your Awesomeness (quite contradicting)

    To Mike

    Yep, You will definitely achieve success with your Zit and orgasms…

    Anyways, its was nice while this lasted…The issue is over and done….I have more important things to do now….Ingat sa inyong lahat…Mabuhay !

  45. dun dun dunnn on October 7th, 2007 9:21 pm

    Whoa, I just had to react on this one. After all I’m this blog’s biggest fan.

    Hail the first person in the world who NEVER gets insulted! Get that, retards?

    But Mike, I pity your fuckbuddy. You obviously don’t care enough to take offense even
    if insults are directed at her.

    Wait, was that satire? Then that excuses everything.

  46. Mikey on October 7th, 2007 9:24 pm

    What fuckbuddy? I have one? Can I have her number?

  47. His Awesomeness on October 7th, 2007 9:25 pm

    Look who is running away now…

    “I have more important things to do now….Ingat sa inyong lahat…Mabuhay!”

  48. Mikey on October 7th, 2007 9:27 pm

    Oh wait, and since YOU’re my biggest fan, can I have YOUR number? I have load. kk tx.

  49. Mikey on October 7th, 2007 9:35 pm

    Unlike you we don’t run from our problems…

    Um. No? Let’s not forget that you’re abroad because you can’t make ends meet here.

    Not being able to make ends meet = Problem.

    Going to the US = Running away.

    See what I did there? I just Modus Ponens’ed your pathetic little ass.

  50. dun dun dunnn on October 7th, 2007 10:28 pm

    First I never go for guy to guy. I don’t know about you. But the clincher is your inability to maintain blog silence for a dead baby just to show off your witty, non-conformist views to the Filipino retards. And like they say, what happened to your taste in women? Always thought you’re the master with your Friendster series.

    Now think of an even smarter reply to this one to save your shit’s ego. I’m done here. dun dun dunnn

  51. Mikey on October 7th, 2007 10:37 pm

    Oh you’re a guy? tsk. God hates me.

    Also: http://twitter.com/v1ll4r/statuses/314052622

  52. MDUSA on October 7th, 2007 10:43 pm

    Hahaha. To Awesomeness and Mike

    Going to work means running away? Where the heck did you get that? a Job probably is taboo for you guys

    Going to U.S. = Running Away ???? Because I can’t make ends meet there???? You guys don’t know me and why I left. Just for your info, I would be more than well off in the Philippines if I stayed.
    Its not the money why I left…I’ll leave it up to you why I left…since both of you seem to have a very good imagination…

    So His Puniness and Mike dickless (looks like your brain is also on your dick - then brainless as well) …please respond better than that…your names just suit you fine…hahaha What a waste…

  53. MDUSA on October 7th, 2007 11:00 pm

    By the way your names…are you guys overcompensating for something….must be….

  54. Mikey on October 7th, 2007 11:21 pm

    Here’s a better response: You’re an idiot.

    How does that sound?

  55. MDUSA on October 8th, 2007 12:07 am

    Here’s a better response: You’re an idiot.
    How does that sound?

    I’m a cockface!

  56. boner on October 8th, 2007 12:27 am

    ditto!

  57. boner on October 8th, 2007 3:13 am

    hey why did you edit my comment man!! i said your girl was hot!!

  58. Chris on October 8th, 2007 8:14 am

    you da man…

    These guys need to find something better to do with their keyboards and mice. Like p0rnsurf for example…

    *wipes off keyboard*

  59. Jona on October 8th, 2007 8:33 am

    Mike V edits comments now? :)

    Hey I checked his flickr and his girl is okay, stop dissing. And off-topic comments will still get edited. Because mike is God.

  60. Mindy on October 9th, 2007 12:44 am

    I’m also surprised why I’m on your list of “blogs you feel the need to apologize for”. ?? Clearly, you’ve not been reading my blog, and just based it on that one video entry. But thanks for extending the gesture to the folks of DH. :)

  61. Blaise on October 9th, 2007 4:47 pm

    I’d like to say something that makes sense but my mouth is full of cocks right now. Also, COCKS!

  62. Ade on October 9th, 2007 11:02 pm

    LOLZ COCKS

  63. erap on October 11th, 2007 1:02 am

    i’m in ur websites, making shameless blogplug.

    visit me k? kthx.

  64. Riz on October 11th, 2007 7:56 am

    I knew I couldn’t be friends with you anymore! Bye bye Mikey, it was great meeting you.

    LOL.

  65. Paul on October 11th, 2007 11:53 pm

    Everett,

    I go get a life now…Good for you, maybe now we wont have to read your rants on here. I mean wtf hahaha

  66. credit card counseling services on May 4th, 2008 10:48 am

    roulette per giocare…

    Encontrar slots machines download live poker…

Leave a Reply