Desperate Housewives is an American television comedy-drama series created by Marc Cherry and produced by ABC Studios and Cherry Productions. Executive producer Cherry serves as Showrunner. Other executive producers since the fourth season include Marc Cherry, Bob Daily, George W. Perkins, John Pardee and Joey Murphy, David Grossman, Larry Shaw and Sabrina Wind.
The setting of the show is the street of Wisteria Lane in the fictional American town of Fairview in the Eagle State. It follows the lives of a group of women, seen through the eyes of their dead neighbor. They work through domestic struggles and family life, while facing the secrets, crimes and mysteries hidden behind the doors of their—at the surface—beautiful and seemingly perfect suburban neighborhood.[1]
The show features an ensemble cast, headed by Teri Hatcher as Susan Mayer (now Delfino), Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo, Marcia Cross as Bree Van de Kamp and Eva Longoria as Gabrielle Solis. Brenda Strong narrates the show as the deceased Mary Alice Young, appearing sporadically in flashbacks or dreams.[2]
Since its premiere on ABC on October 3, 2004, the show has been well received by viewers and critics alike. The show is a multiple Emmy, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild award winner. The series premiere drew 21.6 million viewers[3][4] and the show's first season finale attracted over 30 million viewers.[5] In 2007 it was reported to be the most popular show in its demographic worldwide, with an audience of approximately 120 million[6] and was also reported that the series is the third most watched TV show in a study of ratings in 20 countries.[7] In 2010, it was the most-watched comedy series internationally, with an average viewership of 51.6 million viewers across 68 territories.[8][9][10] It has held this position since 2006.[11] Moreover, it was the third-highest revenue earning show for 2010, with US$2.74 million per half hour.[12][13]
Desperate Housewives was officially renewed by ABC on May 17, 2011 for an eighth season.[14]