Desperate Housewives - NY Daily News Review

[vashti1999]

New York Daily News - http://www.nydailynews.com
'Wives' dark and delicious by David Bianculli

Four stars out of four

Desperate Housewives. Sunday night at 9, ABC

The new prime-time soap opera "Desperate Housewives" could be described as a guilty pleasure — but there's no reason for guilt.

This show is an absolute pleasure — and the most entertaining new show of the fall season.

This is one roller-coaster ride you'll want to take, and savor, so don't miss Sunday's premiere (at 9 on ABC).

In one boldly original hour, series creator Marc Cherry introduces five distinct and beautiful suburban women. Before the hour is up, you'll be enchanted and intrigued by each of them.

"Desperate Housewives" is a bitterly funny story about quiet desperations that normally are no laughing matter.

It's actually an hour-long comedy, with lots more laughs than most new sitcoms, but with elements of mystery and drama that also bring to mind the darkness of such David Lynch suburban stories as "Blue Velvet" and, yes, "Twin Peaks."

The way we meet the women of "Desperate Housewives" is brilliantly compact, effective and surprising. Mary Alice Young (Brenda Strong), the narrator of the series, shocks us in the opening minute by putting a gun to her head and pulling the trigger. (This doesn't stop her narration; it provides for a more omniscient point of view.)

The next image establishes the naughty, attention-getting tone of the series. Right after the gunshot, "Desperate Housewives" cuts to a closeup of a small pool of blood-red liquid and a woman's hand as she dips her finger into it and raises the sticky stuff to her mouth.

Then director Charles McDougall pulls back the camera, and we see that it's a neighbor sampling strawberry jam — then hearing the gunshot from her neighbor's house.

That playfulness continues at the wake the next day, when the women of the title are introduced, bearing gifts like suburban Magi and revealing their own characters by what they bring to the bereaved widower.


Single mom Susan Mayer (played by Teri Hatcher of "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman") brings an inedible dish of macaroni and cheese, which even the hunky new neighbor marvels at because of its ghastly texture.

Frazzled Lynette Scavo (Felicity Huffman from "Sports Night"), mother of four young children, brings store-bought fried chicken.

Stepford wife Bree Van De Kamp (Marcia Cross of "Melrose Place") arrives with ornate gift baskets and instructions on how to distribute the contents and return the containers.

Ex-model Gabrielle Solis (Eva Longoria of "The Young and the Restless"), the youngest housewife on the block, has a steamy sex life, though not with her rich husband. She brings, fittingly, a hot dish of paella.

And when we first meet Edie Britt (Nicollette Sheridan of "Knots Landing"), the neighborhood predator with a string of conquests and ex-husbands, she, too, is bearing gifts — not for the new widower but for the attractive new neighbor (a plumber). She brings sausage puttanesca, and a request for him to check her pipes.
And the game is on.

The guys of "Desperate Housewives" are going to be competitive players: James Denton as new neighbor Mike; Mark Moses as the widower; and Stephen Culp as Bree's unhappy husband, Rex.

What you'll love most about this show, though, are the women. These actresses seem to recognize just how good Cherry's concept and script are — and each one of them contributes to make it even better.

Each of the leading ladies, in her individual scenes, acts like the star of the show, and deserves to. Each gets at least one all-out, scene-stopping sequence, and performs beautifully in it.

The biggest mystery of all, though, will be if "Desperate Housewives" doesn't provide ABC with its first hour-long instant hit in many years.

Watch it Sunday; talk about it Monday.

[spunkygirl]

I'm Def. watching it :D Great cast, great writing from what I've seen

The writer for this show also wrote for Melrose Place, he's a good writer :)

Can't wait :woohoo:

[Pavan]

A must see. It should have a huge audience like Lost.

[barwars]

Originally posted by pavanbadal
A must see. It should have a huge audience like Lost.

Hopefully.
Unlike Lost.... this is a series I can seeing staying around for a long time.
(nothing against Lost.... it justs not something that would be logical for more than 2 or 3 years)

Im definately looking forward to it. Thank god Arrested Development moved to 8:30.... now my TV schedule is free for DH.

[snl75]

im watching i had a big cursh on nicollette back in her knots landing days its gonna be nice to have her back on tv every week

[Stuck In The '70's]

I've been a fan of most of these actresses for years so I'm looking forward to it. Hopefully it will be a hit.

[Sean Snow]

I'm really looking forward to it. I've read nothing but good reviews, and the promos make it look very, very intriguing. The actresses are also all fantastic. Hopefully it'll be a hit!

[TVFactFan]

Originally posted by pavanbadal
A must see. It should have a huge audience like Lost.


It may not have a lot of male viewers from ages 18-54 because of Sunday Night Football on ESPN from 8pm-11pm.

[JT]

I am EAGERLY anticipating this show!

And like Sean, I've seen nothing but great reviews for DH. It seems that everywhere I turn around, there's an ad for it! There was a full-page color ad in today's issue of Parade (check your newspaper for it).

Just 10 hours and 45 minutes!

[barwars]

Holy **** that what was good.

Easily my favorite new drama.
Hell, its my favorite current drama, period.
I liked it all (besides the slut.... kill the slut)


Boston Legal is good too.

[spunkygirl]

Originally posted by barwars
Holy **** that what was good.

Easily my favorite new drama.
Hell, its my favorite current drama, period.
I liked it all (besides the slut.... kill the slut)


Boston Legal is good too.

:yeahthat I love it, finally a drama I can get into.

[dandelion wine]

I really enjoyed it and I hope it does well.

Susan starting the fire and Bree coming this close to killing her husband.. damn. Yeah, I had fun with it. :lol:

[barwars]

Originally posted by Angela Micelli
:yeahthat I love it, finally a drama I can get into.

if that cliffhanger ending doesnt keep viewers watching.... I dont know what will.

[spunkygirl]

Originally posted by little insomniac
I really enjoyed it and I hope it does well.

Susan starting the fire and Bree coming this close to killing her husband.. damn. Yeah, I had fun with it. :lol:

:nod: Have I said yet that Teri Hatcher kicks ass? All the actresses were great, and Marcia Cross was great, so weird seeing her play someone so opposite of Kimberly from Melrose Place :lol:

[spunkygirl]

Originally posted by barwars
if that cliffhanger ending doesnt keep viewers watching.... I dont know what will.

Most definitely, I am impatiently waiting for the next episode

Now we just need a DH board here on SO ;)

[dandelion wine]

Originally posted by Angela Micelli
:nod: Have I said yet that Teri Hatcher kicks ass? All the actresses were great, and Marcia Cross was great, so weird seeing her play someone so opposite of Kimberly from Melrose Place :lol:

Oh yeah, Teri Hatcher does kick ass - and lots of it. Like her, I was sure he was up in the bedroom with Nicollette. I know, while she was in the hospital room with her husband I kept waiting for her to pull back her hair as she smiled at him.. ala Kimberly. She was such a nasty witch, now she's a Stepford Wife. :lol:

[JT]

Originally posted by Angela Micelli
:nod: Have I said yet that Teri Hatcher kicks ass? All the actresses were great, and Marcia Cross was great, so weird seeing her play someone so opposite of Kimberly from Melrose Place :lol:

LOL!

Something tells me that there's a little Kimberly somewhere in there! (omg when she was watering the flowers in the hospital room, and she was crying in the mirror, I was just WAITING for her to pull off her hair and reveal THE SCAR!!!!)

I love this show and will watch it for as long as it airs!

And to think, just a year and a half ago, there were no real night soaps on the air! Now there's three! Two of which are good!

[Pavan]

The reviews were all correct!! Excellent show! Teri Hatcher, Eva Longoria and the rest are just amazing in this. Expect big ratings...

[Stuck In The '70's]

That was a great drama. I never stopped laughing. All the actors were great in it. I sure hope its a hit.

[spunkygirl]

Originally posted by pavanbadal
The reviews were all correct!! Excellent show! Teri Hatcher, Eva Longoria and the rest are just amazing in this. Expect big ratings...

Yeah is was awesome, is it too soon for me to say this will be the biggest hit of the year(drama-wise)? :)

[spunkygirl]

And to think that fans of Young and the Restless used to say that Eva Longagoria was a terrible actress, I thought she was great, shows what they know :p

[dandelion wine]

Originally posted by Angela Micelli
And to think that fans of Young and the Restless used to say that Eva Longagoria was a terrible actress, I thought she was great, shows what they know :p

She was one of my favorites! Terrible actress. Psh, not from what I saw tonight. :lol:

[Pavan]

Originally posted by Angela Micelli
Yeah is was awesome, is it too soon for me to say this will be the biggest hit of the year(drama-wise)? :)

It should come close or maybe even better ratings wise with Lost and CSI: NY. Lost and DH are two of the better dramas out there and critics love both of them.

[JT]

Originally posted by pavanbadal
It should come close or maybe even better ratings wise with Lost and CSI: NY. Lost and DH are two of the better dramas out there and critics love both of them.

Which is odd, considering critics tore up all the shows of the early 80s!

I remember Donald Wildman (you should recognize his name, he dissed TC a lot) said that Flamingo Road was the worst show on TV and that Morgan Fairchild was the worst actress ever. Morgan appeared on a talk show and told him off! She said that "Wildman" is the wrong name for him!

[Pavan]

Originally posted by JT
Which is odd, considering critics tore up all the shows of the early 80s!

I remember Donald Wildman (you should recognize his name, he dissed TC a lot) said that Flamingo Road was the worst show on TV and that Morgan Fairchild was the worst actress ever. Morgan appeared on a talk show and told him off! She said that "Wildman" is the wrong name for him!

He hated SOAP, Charlie's Angels and Dallas, too. Thing I don't understand is -- why did that Reverend even watch those shows?

[spunkygirl]

Originally posted by little insomniac
She was one of my favorites! Terrible actress. Psh, not from what I saw tonight. :lol:

I know they were very terrible on her when she was on Y*R. Her character=:eek: gave me the creeps

[Dean Winchester]

I think what appealed is that it wasn't necessarily a drama, but more an hour long campy comedy.

[Pavan]

Ratings for the NYC market is in! A stunning 19.0/26 (rating/share) on WABC. Ratings for the entire nation should be in later today. It's going to be HUGE...

[spunkygirl]

http://www.tvguide.com/news/entertainment/041004.asp

TV Guide
Monday, October 4, 2004

Michael Ausiello’s Entertainment News

DELIGHTED HOUSEWIVES: It's official: Hit-starved ABC is on the comeback trail. Roughly 21 million viewers sampled the network's acclaimed new dramedy Desperate Housewives Sunday night, making it the night's most-watched program by a landslide and sending Law & Order: Criminal Intent to its lowest scores (possibly) ever. Housewives marks ABC's second hit of the new fall season; the net's castaway thriller Lost debuted last month to boffo numbers as well. Meanwhile, ABC's Practice spin-off Boston Legal won its 10 pm-Sunday time slot with 13 million viewers.



Alphabet on a Roll: ABC Wins Sunday
(Sunday, October 03 11:54 PM)
LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) Fast National ratings for Sunday, Oct. 3, 2004.
When "Lost" showed signs of becoming ABC's first legitimate drama hit in years, it seemed like a big news story. After unveiling two more possible drama successes on Sunday, the J.J. Abrams castaway series is seeming less like an anomaly and more like a piece of a general ABC resurgence. The network pulled off a rare double ratings win to close the week.

Overall, ABC averaged an 8.9 rating/15 share, edging CBS' 8.8/14 (the margin of victory in total viewers was far greater). NBC was a distant third with a 6.6/11 and FOX was even further back in fourth with a 3.6/6. The WB trailed with a 1.9/3.


Among adults 18-49, ABC scored a bigger win with a 5.5 rating in the key demographic. CBS stuck around in second with a 3.6 rating. NBC's 3.1 rating and the 2.4 for FOX followed. The WB stayed in fifth with a 1.2 rating.
CBS began the night in first with a 10.1/18 for "60 Minutes." Another newsmagazine, "Dateline NBC," was second with a 5.9/11. ABC started off in third with "America's Funniest Home Videos." On FOX, repeats of "King of the Hill" and "The Simpsons" averaged a 3.8/7. The WB was last with "Steve Harvey's Big Time."

At 8 p.m. CBS stayed on top with a 10.5/17 for "Cold Case." ABC improved to second with "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," which did an 8.3/13. NBC was nearly off the radar in third with the 4.9/8 for "American Dreams." FOX's "Rush Hour 2" screening outperformed the 2.7/4 for "Charmed" on The WB.

ABC grabbed first for the 9 p.m. hour as "Desperate Housewives" burst onto the scene with an unexpectedly impressive 13.4/20 premiere, by far the night's most watched program. The first hour of CBS' "Suburban Madness" made only a ripple with a 7.7/12, still edging the 7.2/11 for NBC's "Law & Order: Criminal Intent." FOX stayed fourth with its movie. On The WB, the recently renewed "Jack & Bobby" did only a 1.6/2 for the night.

The premiere of "Practice" spin-off "Boston Legal" scored a strong 9.0/15 to win the 10 p.m. hour for ABC. NBC was up to second with the 8.4/14 for "Crossing Jordan," as the CBS original movie was third.


Ratings information is taken from fast national data. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change.


Also.........

This is the reaction at the TV Guide watercooler:

http://www.tvguide.com/tv/watercooler/


Over The Weekend
by Michael Peck

SUNDAY
Desperate Housewives

It would go without saying that Mary Alice Young, having blown her own brains out, is the luckiest one on Wisteria Lane. But now she's gotta stick around, watch her former "loved" ones and "friends" and tell us about it. Which means we're the luckiest ones on the block, 'cause we get to watch. Sure, it owes a lot to forebears like American Beauty and Blue Velvet, but I'm liking it.
Worth noting: casting the unsettling Teri Hatcher is truly inspired, and choosing the even more unsettling Nicolette Sheridan is a flat-out stroke of genius. 'Cause to be perfectly honest, I'm not sure they're acting. Matter of fact, I'm fairly certain they're not.
But Felicity Huffman proves once again that no matter what you toss her into, she's sure to shine.And bonus points for Huffman's Lynette nearly breaking hubby's nose after his cavalier "let's risk it" it comment.

(snip)

[vashti1999]

Even though I'm glad DH did so well in the ratings, I feel for Jack & Bobby, that's a decent show. Another show that I like, NBC's American Dreams, also isn't doing so well. I know it's not in the same time slot, but even not against the big ratings of DH, it's not doing well. :(

Trivia: the actress who played Mary Alice on Desperate Housewives also played the wife and mother who was killed on the series premiere of Everwood, possibly making her the first actress to play characters who ended up dead in the premieres of two different series.

[tvfan0101]

Originally posted by vashti1999

Trivia: the actress who played Mary Alice on Desperate Housewives also played the wife and mother who was killed on the series premiere of Everwood, possibly making her the first actress to play characters who ended up dead in the premieres of two different series.

Whoa. Crazy.

I enjoyed it, I thought it was very good. I just wonder how long it can stay fresh. Just how much can happen on a single street?

[USTVFanFromUK]

Come Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG time next year this should be big. This has got to be the most critically acclaimed show of the year. I still haven't seen it but hopefully they'll screen it here soon.

[barwars]

Big talk about this at school today, finally.... a popular show that's actually good.

I really liked it, and Boston Legal as well.

ABC hasn't been this good in years.

[Pavan]

13.5/21 was the rating overall for the nation (21.3 million viewers on average, but problably much more who watched at least a few minutes of it). Very impressive and even better numbers than CSI: NY. It also had an 8.7/21 in viewers 18-49, even more impressive.

"Desperate Housewives" (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Drawing an average audience of 21.3 million viewers and an 8.7 rating, 21 share among Adults 18-49, the series debut of "Desperate Housewives" stood as the No. 1 TV program on Sunday night on both measures. "Desperate Housewives" overshadowed its nearest competitors in its time period, leading the hour by 10 million viewers (11.3 million - CBS) and by 149% in Adults 18-49 (3.5/8 - NBC). With the series opening of "Desperate Housewives," ABC claims the No. 1 new TV show of the season in viewers and young adults, topping CBS' "C.S.I.: NY" in Total Viewers and NBC's "Joey" among Adults 18-49.

* In Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, "Desperate Housewives" is the highest-rated series telecast for any network on Sunday night in 1-1/2 years - since 2/16/03.

[barwars]

Originally posted by pavanbadal
13.5/21 was the rating overall for the nation (21.3 million viewers on average, but problably much more who watched at least a few minutes of it). Very impressive and even better numbers than CSI: NY. It also had an 8.7/21 in viewers 18-49, even more impressive.

"Desperate Housewives" (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Drawing an average audience of 21.3 million viewers and an 8.7 rating, 21 share among Adults 18-49, the series debut of "Desperate Housewives" stood as the No. 1 TV program on Sunday night on both measures. "Desperate Housewives" overshadowed its nearest competitors in its time period, leading the hour by 10 million viewers (11.3 million - CBS) and by 149% in Adults 18-49 (3.5/8 - NBC). With the series opening of "Desperate Housewives," ABC claims the No. 1 new TV show of the season in viewers and young adults, topping CBS' "C.S.I.: NY" in Total Viewers and NBC's "Joey" among Adults 18-49.

* In Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, "Desperate Housewives" is the highest-rated series telecast for any network on Sunday night in 1-1/2 years - since 2/16/03.

Hell yeah.
Although.... I hope Joey lasts long too.

[Sean Snow]

Best. new. drama. of. the. season.

I absolutely loved it! I had high expections for it, and it surpassed them. The hour seemed to pass by - ABC really has something great here, and I'm glad it did well.

All the plot lines are intriguing so far, and the cast and writing are great - the only complaint I have is about the actor who plays Gabrielle's husband. I didn't think he was all that good.

My favorites so far are Bree and Susan, with Gabrielle and Lynette coming close behind. Bree had some of the best lines in the pilot, IMO, and Marcia Cross was great as the 'Martha Stewart' on crack type.

I hope the ratings continue to be strong.

Originally posted by tvobscurities

I enjoyed it, I thought it was very good. I just wonder how long it can stay fresh. Just how much can happen on a single street?

Ask the people who live(d) in Knots Landing. :p

[Pavan]

Start celebrating! DH came in #1 for the week of Sept. 27-Oct 3!! 21.6 million viewers was the final count.

[spunkygirl]

For all you Teri Hatcher Fans, she'll be on the Tony Danza show tomorrow :D

[spunkygirl]

http://www.wisterialane.dreamhost.com/home.htm

DH screencaps if anyone's interested :)

[JT]

Originally posted by Sean Snow
Best. new. drama. of. the. season.

I absolutely loved it! I had high expections for it, and it surpassed them. The hour seemed to pass by - ABC really has something great here, and I'm glad it did well.

All the plot lines are intriguing so far, and the cast and writing are great - the only complaint I have is about the actor who plays Gabrielle's husband. I didn't think he was all that good.

My favorites so far are Bree and Susan, with Gabrielle and Lynette coming close behind. Bree had some of the best lines in the pilot, IMO, and Marcia Cross was great as the 'Martha Stewart' on crack type.

I hope the ratings continue to be strong.



Ask the people who live(d) in Knots Landing. :p

LOL! If KL could churn out 14 years worth of stuff, I'm sure DH can get at least 5! And to go even further, look at the British soap "Coronation Street," which has been on since 1960. Or the Aussie show "Neighbours," which premeired in 1985. They both take place on one single street and have been megahits.

[barwars]

So far my favorite storyline is Bree (the Martha Stewart on crack).... with Gabrielle shortly behind (running home to mow the lawn was genius).

Lynette's story (the mother with 4 kids) is the most boring so far, although Huffman is probably the best actress on the show.

I liked Susan's story too (Teri Hatcher).... although if they kill someone off, I hope its the slut.



It's going to take me a while to get these names down.

[barwars]

pav.... is a DH board coming soon??

[vashti1999]

Originally posted by barwars

It's going to take me a while to get these names down.

Hell, I'm already applauding you. I didn't remember any of the characters names.

[spunkygirl]

Originally posted by barwars
pav.... is a DH board coming soon??

Yeah I was wondering that myself :)

[barwars]

Originally posted by vashti1999
Hell, I'm already applauding you. I didn't remember any of the characters names.

I have to admit.... I had the local Cable Guide (a cheap, free TVGuide for local channels and cable) in hand, which described the characters and their roles in the pilot.
Very handy.

[JT]

Just for the record...

Teri Hatcher: SUSAN MAYER
Felicity Huffman: LYNETTE SCAVO
Marcia Cross: BREE VAN DE KAMP
Eva Longoria: GABRIELLE SOLIS
Nicollette Sheridan: EDIE BRITT

[barwars]

Originally posted by JT
Just for the record...

Teri Hatcher: SUSAN MAYER
Felicity Huffman: LYNETTE SCAVO
Marcia Cross: BREE VAN DE KAMP
Eva Longoria: GABRIELLE SOLIS
Nicollette Sheridan: EDIE BRITT

Now which actress is which??

[dandelion wine]

Originally posted by Angela Micelli
For all you Teri Hatcher Fans, she'll be on the Tony Danza show tomorrow :D

:woohoo:

Thanks, Angela. :D

[spunkygirl]

Originally posted by barwars
Now which actress is which??

I think the actresses are pretty distinuishable.

Marcia Cross is the red head(the only one)

Nicollete Sheridan plays the "slut"

Teri Hatcher I'm sure you know her from Lois and Clark.

Felicity Huffman she played the character who was almost constantly pregnant

Eva Longagoria was the one whose character had sex on the table

I hope I didn't confuse you more :)

[barwars]

Originally posted by Angela Micelli
I think the actresses are pretty distinuishable.

Marcia Cross is the red head(the only one)

Nicollete Sheridan plays the "slut"

Teri Hatcher I'm sure you know her from Lois and Clark.

Felicity Huffman she played the character who was almost constantly pregnant

Eva Longagoria was the one whose character had sex on the table

I hope I didn't confuse you more :)

I knew the redhead, Teri, and Huffman.... but now I know them all.
thanks.