Monday, October 08, 2007 Seares: RP doctors, 'slut' Cory By Pachico A. Seares News Sense
ONE doesn’t easily understand American wit or humor. Even Americans don’t always get it. TV live audiences squeal or shriek on cue from floor directors. If needed, canned laughter supplies reliable if not authentic response.
Susan Mayer, played by Terri Hatcher in ABC’s “Desperate Housewives,” insulted Philippine schools: She wouldn’t be treated by the product of one.
Days later, Jon Stewart’s “Daily Show” on Comedy Central asked “Is America Ready for a Woman President?” and showed photos of women ex-world leaders: British PM Meg Thatcher, Israeli PM Golda Meir, and our president Aquino. The word “slut” emblazoned Cory’s photo.
No laughter followed Hatcher’s dig at RP medical schools. It was just being hip, not one to send audiences rollicking. Laughter, live or canned, came with the women leaders’ segment.
National pride
Easy for Filipinos to take offense at both digs. Even if we see US wit or humor, we resent assault on national pride.
Maybe “Desperate” writers confused RP docs with RP nurses who figured in a board exam scandal. But a slap on OFWs, major supplier of our foreign currency, stings.
The crack about Cory is worse. “Slut,” meaning promiscuous or prostitute, doesn’t really amuse daughter Kris despite her relatives’ reported inability to “G.”
Pinoys are hurt but what do American producers care? A Conan O’Brian feature even purposely insults nations to provoke comment. The only god is wit/humor that bags the ratings.
Diplomatic protest? Silly. The US government doesn’t control media. Even President Bush is privately complaining but can’t do anything about TV show insults and gags.
