Is the end nigh for 'Desperate Housewives'? It's been reported that the upcoming eighth season may be the last for the residents of Wisteria Lane.

According to TV Guide, ABC execs and the show's producers could decide the fate of the veteran drama by early August. However, there is a chance they could wait and see how Season 8 performs before they decide.

A source close to the show said that, "It's all dependent on the ratings. It will be up against some stiff competition." Gulp.

Although last season 'Housewives' was the 24th most-watched prime-time show among broadcast networks, audience numbers were down by around 50 percent from its Season 1 glory days.

When Season 8 premieres in the fall it will air opposite CBS's 'The Good Wife' and NBC's 'Sunday Night Football' (barring an NFL lockout) as well as strong cable programming.

It's not the first time 'Desperate Housewives' has seemed destined for the chopping block. Creator Marc Cherry is said to have toyed with ending the series a few times and had originally planned to wrap it up after Season 7.

Although both Cherry and executive producer Bob Daily are under contract for Season 8 (and a possible Season 9), there have been rumblings that the producers and network may decide to go out with a bang in 2012 rather than stretch things out for another year.

Nothing's been decided yet, but ABC knows the question will be a key one when the network meets with reporters on August 7 at the Television Critics Association's summer press tour. That's why some insiders believe a decision could be made by then.

If the network does adopt a wait and see policy then it could exercise its options to bring back stars Marcia Cross, Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman and Eva Longoria for the fall 2012 season.

'Desperate Housewives' Season 8 premieres Sunday Sept. 25, 9PM ET on ABC.