andPOP - Pop Culture With Substance

ABC has responded to an online petition spread through the American Filipino community, many of them medical professionals.

The apology was sent to ABS-CBN, a Philippine broadcaster.

“The producers of the show and ABC studios offer our sincere apology for any offence caused by the brief reference in the season premier,” the statement said.

“There was no intent to disparage the integrity of any aspect of the medical community in the Philippines,” it said.

In the season premier of Desperate Housewives, Teri Hatcher’s character Susan Mayer asked her doctor if she could see “those diplomas because I want to make sure that they’re not from some med school in the Philippines.”

In Manila, Eduardo Ermita, Arroyo’s chief aide, responded to the quote by saying, “On the face, we can look at it as a racial slur.”

“We are looked down upon too much, considering the number of our medical professionals in the US,” he added.

Teri Hatcher is ready to try her hand at films once again.

The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that Hatcher has signed on for the role of a TV executive in the drama “Resurrecting the Camp.”

This marks Hatcher’s first role in film since “Desperate Housewives” rejuvenated her career nearly three years ago.

The film will follow the story of a reporter (Josh Hartnett) who meets a homeless man who thinks he is a famous boxer (Samuel L. Jackson), but turns out not to be. Rod Lurie is set to direct the film.