Desperate Row Over Comment

A scene in the latest series of Desperate Housewives has caused some controvery in the US.

An online petition’s been set up after the show used Philippine medical education for a punchline.

Here’s exactly how it happened.

In the season premiere – which aired on US TV on Sunday night – Teri Hatcher's character, Susan, went for a medical checkup.

She’s shocked when the doctor suggests she may be going through menopause.

In response, Susan blurts: "OK, before we go any further, can I check these diplomas? Just to make sure they aren't, like, from some med school in the Philippines?"

So far, more than 30,000 names were attached to an online petition seeking a network apology.

The TV network – Disney owned ABC – has also been flooded with calls.