MANILA, Philippines – Netizens reacted online when Filipino nurses became part of the opening monologue of the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards.
Filipino nurses became part of a strong diversity message in Hollywood. Emmy Awards hosts Michael Che and Colin Jost complained about lack of representation of Filipinos in American television. They called out a hit television series, the ER for being unrealistic to not have a single Filipino nurse in the cast.
Halfway through their opening monologue, Che remarked, “As we all know, TV has always had a diversity problem. I mean, can you believe that they did 15 seasons of ER without one Filipino nurse?”
While the audience laughed, he added, “Have you been to a hospital?”
The joke exploded on social media as Filipino nurses and Overseas Filipino Workers reacted to the quick commentary.
On Twitter, a netizen pointed out how Filipino nurses are actually very much appreciated in the US. Known for our hospitality, Filipino nurses are viewed as kind and competent.
Another one also called out another show, Grey’s Anatomy for its lack of Filipino representation when it's set in Seattle where “Filipinos are everywhere.”
There were those who had just realized how real the joke was, especially when it comes to occupational stereotypes.
This observation should come as no surprise as the Philippines has the highest number of citizens applying for the US nursing licensure in 2017. According to the US National Council of State Boards of Nursing, a total of 7,791 nurses applied for the first time – 23% higher than the 2016 figure of 6,322.
You can watch the video of the opening monologue here:
— Sally, The Summit Express
Filipino nurses became part of a strong diversity message in Hollywood. Emmy Awards hosts Michael Che and Colin Jost complained about lack of representation of Filipinos in American television. They called out a hit television series, the ER for being unrealistic to not have a single Filipino nurse in the cast.
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| Emmy Awards hosts Michael Che and Colin Jost complained about lack of representation of Filipinos in shows | Screengrab:YouTube/Television Academy |
Halfway through their opening monologue, Che remarked, “As we all know, TV has always had a diversity problem. I mean, can you believe that they did 15 seasons of ER without one Filipino nurse?”
While the audience laughed, he added, “Have you been to a hospital?”
The joke exploded on social media as Filipino nurses and Overseas Filipino Workers reacted to the quick commentary.
On Twitter, a netizen pointed out how Filipino nurses are actually very much appreciated in the US. Known for our hospitality, Filipino nurses are viewed as kind and competent.
Filipino nurses are so highly regarded in the US. They are seen as caring, competent and compassionate. So many foreigners are wondering how we ended up with an incompetent, murderous, despotic leader. One sick joke. https://t.co/49kqcjLR4K— Yoly Villanueva-Ong (@yolyong) September 18, 2018
Another one also called out another show, Grey’s Anatomy for its lack of Filipino representation when it's set in Seattle where “Filipinos are everywhere.”
There are also 15 seasons of Grey's Anatomy - based in freaking Seattle where Filipinos are EVERYWHERE & Filipino nurses dominate - and the show never had one Filipino nurse! 🤦🏽♂️ #ForgottenAsianAmericans #BrownAsian #Emmys #Emmys2018— EJ Ramos David, PhD (@ejrdavid) September 18, 2018
There were those who had just realized how real the joke was, especially when it comes to occupational stereotypes.
I watch SO MANY medical show & how has this not occurred to me!!! ---> Emmy Hosts Calls Out Hollywood For Never Having Filipino Nurses on ‘ER’ https://t.co/Sc3ZKFM30f— Gina Vergel (@ginavergel7) September 19, 2018
That Filipino nurse joke in Michael Che and Colin Jost’s opening monologue for the #Emmys makes me a little more proud of our occupational stereotype— deb (@littledebHEEHEE) September 18, 2018
This observation should come as no surprise as the Philippines has the highest number of citizens applying for the US nursing licensure in 2017. According to the US National Council of State Boards of Nursing, a total of 7,791 nurses applied for the first time – 23% higher than the 2016 figure of 6,322.
You can watch the video of the opening monologue here:
— Sally, The Summit Express
