‘Desperate Housewives’ concludes its eight-season, 180-episode journey in America this weekend. UK audiences cannot wait for its arrival on E4 next month. We celebrate this momentous occasion by sharing 16 interesting facts about the show.
16 Little-Known Insights
- The series‘ mastermind, Marc Cherry, drew inspiration for the pilot from a heartfelt conversation with his mother. She candidly shared that raising Cherry and his siblings, with their father often absent, occasionally led to profound “desperation.”
- River Song star Alex Kingston (Doctor Who) auditioned for Lynette, but was rejected due to being “too curvy.”
- Marcia Cross was expecting a baby during a significant portion of Season 3. Sharp-eyed viewers could spot Bree’s midriff cleverly concealed by various props, like baskets, boxes, or even other characters.
- We now associate Nicollette Sheridan with the role of Edie, who was originally cast as Bree. She said, “At the end of the audition, the director said, “No, no, I see you as Edie’. I replied, “Oh, I get it; I enter as a housewife and mother of two and leave as a libertine.” Meanwhile, Marcia Cross (Bree) had competed for the role of Mary Alice Young.
- The character of Susan was specifically for Mary-Louise Parker, known for her role in the comedy Weeds. However, Calista Flockhart, Heather Locklear, and Courteney Cox were all possible candidates in the casting process.
- Season 4’s premiere sparked controversy as Susan questioned Katherine’s gynecologist husband about the authenticity of his diplomas, suggesting they might be from “some obscure med school in the Philippines.” Viewer protests led ABC to remove this line from all subsequent broadcasts.
- All episodes in Season 1 except the pilot are titled after songs by Stephen Sondheim, renowned for his work on ‘Gypsy’ and ‘Sweeney Todd.’ This naming tradition continues throughout the series.
- The tragic suicide of Beth Young in Season 7 strikingly mirrors Mary Alice Young’s suicide in every aspect. It starts with the haunting image of the firearm and then moves to the act and the reflection of the body as it falls to the floor.
- Interestingly, the set of ‘Desperate Housewives’ previously served as the backdrop for Kelly Rowland and Nelly’s music video, ‘Dilemma.’
Tidbits
- The first season’s conclusion remains the most-watched episode of ‘Desperate Housewives’ in the series, drawing a staggering 30 million viewers during its initial airing.
- In a memorable scene where Susan accidentally topples into a wedding cake, Teri Hatcher suffered two fractured ribs but showed unwavering determination, insisting on continuing with the filming.
- Felicity Huffman candidly admits in an interview that she dislikes the name “Lynette Scavo”. She said “It feels like a stubborn blemish on the skin‘.
- Michelle Rodriguez turned down a role in the show and chose ‘Lost’ (2004) instead. When Ellen DeGeneres playfully asked about her decision on her show, Rodriguez quipped, “Because, really, if you’re not a housewife, what’s the point?”
- A recurring detail throughout the series is the same newspaper, consistently featuring a portrait of a raven-haired girl.
- Miranda Richardson declined a prominent guest role in the show’s second season.
- The role of John Rowland in the unaired pilot was initially played by Kyle Searles but was later taken over by Jesse Metcalfe.
‘DH’ Star Eva Longoria’s Ex-Husband Passes Away
Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria’s Ex-Husband Tyler Christopher dies at 50. Christopher’s General Hospital colleague, Maurice Benard, shared the heartbreaking news on Halloween through Instagram. He revealed that Christopher had experienced a cardiac event in his San Diego residence that morning.
TMZ reported that on a Wednesday, a concerned friend made a distressing discovery – the lifeless body of the actor in his residence. Law enforcement sources revealed that they received a call on Tuesday morning at around 9:30 from a friend who had been trying to check on him.
Unfortunately, the friend couldn’t access the locked apartment using a key that Christopher had entrusted to him previously.
The actor from “Days of Our Lives” took two trips down the aisle, first marrying Eva Longoria. Their paths crossed while they both worked in General Hospital. They said their vows on January 20, 2002, but sadly, their marriage only lasted for two years.
Their journey as a married couple came to an end on January 19, 2004, when they officially divorced.
