MANILA, Philippines, Oct. 4 (UPI) -- The producers of the U.S. television comedy "Desperate Housewives" apologized for a joke made at the expense of Filipino medical workers.
The apology was sent to Philippine broadcaster ABS-CBN's bureau in the United States, following protests by the Manila government and the public, which viewed the remark as a racial slur, the Daily Telegraph said Thursday.
Causing the uproar was a comment made by Teri Hatcher's character, Susan Mayer, who asked during a medical consultation if she could check "those diplomas, because I want to make sure that they're not from some med school in the Philippines."
"The producers of the show, and ABC studios, offer our sincere apology for any offense caused by the brief reference in the season premiere," the statement said.
"There was no intent to disparage the integrity of any aspect of the medical community in the Philippines."
ABC said it remained committed to present "sensitive and respectful images of all communities" featured in its programs, the Telegraph reported.
