# Desperate Housewives **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 4, 2004, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-housewives/267406 "2004-10-04T01:46:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2004, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-housewives/267406/1 "2004-10-04T01:46:29Z")
Anyone else catch this tonight? I’m thinking this could become a major guilty pleasure. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2004, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-housewives/267406/2 "2004-10-04T01:47:56Z")
Crap, I meant to. I got the same impression. ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2004, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-housewives/267406/3 "2004-10-04T02:10:03Z")
Eh. It’s one part _9 to 5_ set in a residential neighborhood mixed with _First Wives Club_ mixed with the quirky characters of _Steel Magnolias_ mixed with an apparent murder mystery to propel audience interest past the pilot. This really needed to be a cable series. ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Silver\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Fire)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2004, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-housewives/267406/4 "2004-10-04T02:20:46Z")
Meh. I wonder if it’s going to be narrated by the dead chick every week? ---
**Author:** ![ITR\_champion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c67d28/32.png) [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2004, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-housewives/267406/5 "2004-10-04T02:22:53Z")
And people wonder why ABC is always stuck in last place. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2004, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-housewives/267406/6 "2004-10-04T02:30:08Z")
It’s not going to help ABC in the ratings, but the show was a fairly good black comedy. Some of the moments were great: “I have Santa’s cell phone number.” “Why did I fight for your custody?” The onions. The macaroni and cheese. “That’s not what he’s doing in the bathroom.” It’ll fail, of course, but I laughed more at it than any show since “Arrested Development.” Too bad they’re on opposite each other. ---
**Author:** ![DadWagonDriver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/edb3f5/32.png) [@DadWagonDriver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DadWagonDriver)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2004, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-housewives/267406/7 "2004-10-04T02:31:55Z")
I liked it. It has some kinks that need to be worked out, but it can become a pretty good show. I think the writers tried to cover too much in one episode. That, or the first ep needed to be two hours to really fill some stuff in. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2004, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-housewives/267406/8 "2004-10-04T02:58:24Z")
I was waiting for you to start this thread, **twickster**. I watched all but the first five minutes of it, and I really liked it. I can relate to a great deal of the mentalities of these people; my mother is kinda the same way. I hope it stays on. Robin ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2004, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-housewives/267406/9 "2004-10-04T03:07:06Z")
I laughed out loud and for quite a while when they were trying to manufacture the clog. hair! Penaut Butter! Popsicle Sticks! In retrospect, not all THAT funny, but at the time I found it hilarious. Brian ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2004, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-housewives/267406/10 "2004-10-04T03:18:43Z")
I enjoyed it. The clog, the condom, the weird plastic hair that doesn’t move. Now I just have to wait for my husband to tire of “Jack and Bobby” so I can TiVo. ---
**Author:** ![Batsinma\_Belfry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@Batsinma\_Belfry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batsinma_Belfry)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2004, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-housewives/267406/11 "2004-10-04T03:24:58Z")
I only watched it because there was nothing else. But I liked it. ---
**Author:** ![jeevmon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@jeevmon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jeevmon)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2004, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-housewives/267406/12 "2004-10-04T13:40:13Z")
The trailers did not lead me to expect much, but I was rather pleasantly surprised. This is a show that does not take itself at all seriously, which is nice. At times, it seemed like they were channelling “Edward Scissorhands,” from the relentlessly upbeat music to the slutty neighbor and her ambrosia. I don’t know that I’ll follow it long term, or even once “Arrested Development” starts, but as new entrants go, it does not suck. And Sue-Ellen Mishkie really seems to be specializing in the role of “dead perfect wife,” isn’t she? ---
**Author:** ![AmericanMaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@AmericanMaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AmericanMaid)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2004, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-housewives/267406/13 "2004-10-04T13:44:56Z")
This definitely going to be “appointment TV” for me, unless they used up all their tricks/humor in the pilot. There were lots of laugh out loud moments, good lines: “lives of noisy fulfillment”, and a mystery to boot! ---
**Author:** ![Mercury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e95f7d/32.png) [@Mercury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mercury)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2004, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-housewives/267406/14 "2004-10-04T15:05:19Z")
I was really looking forward to it and I loved it! It will definitely be something I watch every week! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/838e76/32.png) [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/One_And_Only_Wanderers)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2004, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-housewives/267406/15 "2004-10-04T15:08:20Z")
What is this? I really, really want to avoid googling the term “Desperate Housewives” ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2004, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-housewives/267406/16 "2004-10-04T15:11:37Z")
> [@One And Only Wanderers](#): > > What is this? > > I really, really want to avoid googling the term “Desperate Housewives” 😃 Sissy! A new show on broadcast TV here in the States – kind of a black comedy/satire of suburbia/mystery, with Teri Hatcher and Felicity Huffman, among others. Some of us were beguiled, others of us, apparently, not. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2004, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-housewives/267406/17 "2004-10-04T16:01:21Z")
With two actresses from the late, lamented “SportsNight”, you would think this was an Aaron Sorkin production. But no. Not bad; not bad. Worth another watch. A shame that it’s up against Jack & Bobby AND Arrested Development – stupid, stupid, stupid. ---
**Author:** ![Indygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@Indygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indygrrl)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2004, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-housewives/267406/18 "2004-10-04T16:06:37Z")
I liked it. It’s the first time I can remember watching anything on ABC since I was a kid. It’s about time they drop their “family friendly” theme. The show reminds me of something I’d see on Fox. haha. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2004, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-housewives/267406/19 "2004-10-04T16:35:42Z")
As long as the gardener keeps getting naked, the “plumber” starts getting naked and the people I hang out with Sunday nights SHUT THE HELL UP DURING THE SHOW SO I CAN HEAR then I will be a good and faithful viewer. I knew I’d be into it as soon as I saw Marcia Cross delivering her (grammatically incorrect) line in the commercials. She was so much fun as Kimberly on Melrose Place (and the moment when she pulls off her wig to show that nasty scar is still one of the creepier moments ever on network TV) and it looks like she’s gearing up to play a whole new kind of crazy on this one. ---
**Author:** ![Stainz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@Stainz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stainz)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2004, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-housewives/267406/20 "2004-10-04T16:50:57Z")
I thought it was fun, but not spectacular by any means. Lots of cliches, but some surprisingly witty dialogue too. It seemed like a patchwork - like it wasn’t quite sure what direction to take. Hopefully it will be given a chance to settle down and find its groove. The most disturbing thing though was Nicolette Sheridan - WTF happened to her? A LOT of plastic surgery gone wrong apparently. I used to be so envious of her looks when I was younger, but holy Hannah she looks VERY VERY scary now. Pretty sad. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-housewives/267406.md?page=2)