new jersey delli

DISPARATE MEASURES PART 2

DIFFERENT STROKES FOR DIFFERENT FOLKS

Ah, the wonders of digital technology.  As soon as the lines were uttered by Susan, sound-bites started streaming on to cyberspace. Perhaps realizing the many possible repercussions of having a "racist" television show, ABC buckled down from pressure and issued an apology. One would think that was the end of this brouhaha. 

I have not seen a single episode of Desperate Housewives and until I saw the clip on YouTube a few days ago I never really understood what the clamor for an apology was about.  I guess I was fortunate not to see the show's premiere episode, or I would have been at the receiving end of a knockout punch-line.

It is easy to lose perspective entirely if we don't keep rein on our feelings.  Valid points were raised, of course.  And why not.  The charges weren't entirely unfounded.  However, freewheeling emotions obviously had driven a big number out of the 120 thousand to sign the online petition.  One only has to read the many off-color comments to realize that the tables have turned and that, more importantly, racism exists in many colors in high definition -- brown even.      

Watching the YouTube clip repeatedly had given me a broader understanding how and why things have panned out the way they did -- most of the petitioners never really looked beyond the 3 by 3 screen, nobody clicked the pause.

And so the plot thickens.  Not contented with just an apology, demands had since become unrealistic.  Infamy must be really inebriating.  Meanwhile, the clowns in the Philippines had joined the show. 

I'm sure this story -- drama or comedy is a matter of perspective -- won't get past first season.  When the credits roll, one lesson will have been learned:  The hasty tongue-lashing ABC had received was as much a desperate attempt for every petitioner's and some Philippine official's shot at 15 minutes of fame as Susan's slip-of-the-tongue a desperate attempt for Teri Hatcher's second shot at B-superstardom.

DISPARATE MEASURES PART 1

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES

It all started with one drama-tical slip.

DESPERATE PLEA

That half-slip didn't slip past the keen ears of Kevin Nadal who immediately summoned the Filipino-American community to petition ABC to issue an apology for what he called "an ignorant and racist remark."

DESPERATE FISHWIVES

Thirty-thousand signatures later, the Filipino-American community had managed to show the whole wide world what an ignorant race it was -- and a whiny one at that  -- for failing to see television for what it was - an idiot box.

UNQUOTABLE QUOTES

God Bless her ignorancy(Teri Hatcher).

I hope when you get sick, the Filipino doctors who'll treat you doesn't remember what you said.

You Americans better apologize or we'll send Manny Pacquiao to beat you up one by one.

And plenty more where that came from.

BOOB TUBE BOOHOO

Realizing it had made a pun-quite-intended and perhaps hoping to not alienate the Filipino-American community, ABC, like those sluts on Wisteria Lane, buckled at the knee and issued an apology.

Damage controlled?  Not quite.

BOOB TUBE BOOBOO

ABC's biggest mistake was that it sent its apology across the Pacific and over to the ex-Motherland for all the crazies to nitpick.  The comedic issue instantaneously became a diplomatic issue.

HYSTERIA LANE

Philippine Senators said the apology was not enough, and urged their Foreign Affairs Department to lodge a formal protest with the US government.

It's funny that these pompous asses who couldn't manage their own domestic issues would even think it's their business to meddle in Filipino-American affairs. 

"I am mortally offended by the statement because it betrayed the racial prejudice and denigrates the excellent performance of world-class Filipino doctors in the US," said Senator Miriam Santiago, whose sister is a doctor working in Los Angeles.

This from the same woman who said corruption was Made in China.

BOW WOW

Doggone!

It pays to be a bitch!