'Modern Family' joke offends Peruvians

10/30/2010 by Kristina Lopez

The people of Peru are not happy with a joke that was featured on this week's episode of Modern Family, reports The Associated Press.

The controversy stems from Sofia Vergara's character, Gloria, who responds to her husband's quip about Colombia with her own insult. "Ah, here we go," Gloria begins to respond. "Because, in Colombia, we trip over goats and we kill people in the street. Do you know how offensive that is? Like we're Peruvians!"

Shortly after the episode aired, Vegara, who like her character is also a native of Colombia, received a large volume of insulting tweets, according to the wire service, with some demanding an explanation for the line. She responded to one inquiry, telling the Twitter user in Spanish to "Get a life."

Vergara plays Gloria Delgado-Pritchett, a character who is involved in a May-December marriage with the family's patriarch, Jay Pritchett, played by Ed O'Neil. The actress earned an Emmy nod this year for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role.

"Its incredible that in a country where everything is politically correct, ABC would have a line of this sort, said Milagros Lizarraga, founder of Peru USA Southern Ca, an online community that communicates through social media, according to The Associated Press.

"Many Peruvians think this is no coincidence, that she knew what she was saying, because an actress has the power to say, No, I cant say this because it would hurt my image," Lizarraga added. "Unless she agrees with what she said."

The head of the Peoples Defenders Office, Beatriz Merino, told the wire service she wants an explanation and will try to talk to the U.S. ambassador about the episode.

ABC has not commented on the matter. ABC is the parent company of OnTheRedCarpet.com