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'Desperate Housewives' - 'A Little Night Music' Recap

Isabelle Carreau — 2010-05-02T23:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Desperate Housewives, Episode Reviews, Reality-Free, Features, Recaps

(S06E21) "I really need to surprise my audience." - Patrick

'Desperate Housewives' writers should have followed the dialog they wrote for Patrick and try to surprise us because 'A little Night Music' was anything but surprising. I expected much better this week since this is, after all, one of the last three episodes of the season.

Even if the episode was a let down, it did push the storylines a bit further and reminded us that you can't run from your past and lies all your life as they will catch you sooner or later.

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'Desperate Housewives' - 'Epiphany' Recap

Isabelle Carreau — 2010-04-25T23:07:00+00:00

Filed under: Desperate Housewives, Episode Reviews, Reality-Free, Features, Recaps

(S06E20) "His name was Eddie. Everyone thought he was harmless." - Mary Alice

Let's get it out of the way right now: this week's episode, 'Epiphany,' is no 'The Best Thing That Ever Could Have Happened,' the show's 100th episode which starred Beau Bridges last season and had the same episode format. No matter, this week's installment offered us a nice walk down memory lane, including scenes with Mary Alice (above with 4-year-old Eddie, while showing us why the latter became to be the Fairview Strangler.

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'Desperate Housewives' - 'We All Deserve to Die' Recap

Isabelle Carreau — 2010-04-18T23:11:00+00:00

Filed under: Desperate Housewives, Episode Reviews, Reality-Free, Features, Recaps

(S06E19) "Sometimes ... we let it in." - Mary Alice about "Evil"

After months without mentioning the strangler storyline, 'Desperate Housewives' finally let "Evil" back in and treated us not only with hints and, sadly, a new killing, but also with the identity of the culprit!!!

We first saw the person in the second episode of the season. My immediate instinct was that the strangled was a young man with whom Julie may have had a complicated "thing" with and that I didn't think it was Julie's ex (played by Steven Weber). In comments TV Squad readers left to my review of that episode, most fingers were pointed at Danny, McCluskey, Ana, Angie, Roy, and Katherine. Of course, as more episodes aired, people were added to the list while others were removed. Did you guess right? The answer coming up!

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'Designing Women,' 'Desperate Housewives' Star Dixie Carter Dead at 70

Bob Sassone — 2010-04-11T07:52:00+00:00

Filed under: Desperate Housewives, Video, Celebrities, Obituaries, Reality-Free, Features, TV News

Just last night I was watching a TV commercial featuring Dixie Carter, talking to the camera about a terrible disease whose name escapes me at the moment. And tonight comes the news that Carter has passed away at the age of 70. No further details have been released yet.

Carter is probably best known for her role as feisty, outspoken (well, all of the women were pretty feisty and outspoken on that show, weren't they?) Julia Sugarbaker on 'Designing Women,' which ran on CBS for eight years. But younger TV watchers might know her from her role on 'Desperate Housewives' as Gloria, the loopy mom of Orson (she was nominated for an Emmy for the role). But she actually starred in several other TV shows over the years, including 'Family Law,' 'Ladies Man,' 'Filthy Rich,' 'Out of the Blue,' and 'On Our Own,' not to mention numerous guest roles on many other shows. Her first TV role was in the soap 'The Doctors.'

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Nicollette Sheridan Sues 'Housewives' Creator Marc Cherry

Allison Waldman — 2010-04-06T11:03:00+00:00

Filed under: OpEd, Desperate Housewives, Celebrities, Reality-Free, Features, TV News

Perhaps you've heard that 'Desperate Housewives' exile Nicollette Sheridan has filed a whopper of a lawsuit against ABC and Marc Cherry, the creator of the show. Her claim is that she was not only wrongfully terminated, but that Cherry struck her in September 2008 when she asked him about something in the script.

Officially, the suit covers even more than those two charges. There are seven in all: wrongful termination, assault and battery, gender violence, discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation and age, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Sheridan is seeking $20 million in compensation.

Violence against women -- or men for that matter -- is a serious charge, and it would be naive to think that this could not have happened. That said, it does seem like something right out of a 'Desperate Housewives' script. Would Marc Cherry have been so upset with Sheridan to strike her? Wouldn't it have been witnessed by other people on the set? Perhaps that will come out in the case.

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'Castle' - 'Boom!' Recap

Kona Gallagher — 2010-03-30T01:45:00+00:00

Filed under: Desperate Housewives, Episode Reviews, Reality-Free, Castle, Features, Recaps

(S01E18) As much as this episode veered into "bad buddy cop movie" territory several times, it was definitely a fun hour of television. In fact, after watching last week's episode, and now this, I could definitely see 'Castle' spawning a successful made-for-TV-movie franchise at some point. This storyline was a perfectly-contained movie, and it goes to further prove what the actual 'Heat Wave' novel showed us: these characters can thrive in stand-alone stories.

As Jane mentioned last week, Dana Delany is great as Agent Shaw, and I loved seeing her outside of her increasingly ridiculous role on 'Desperate Housewives,' although it was nice to see her and her 'DH' hubby, Nathan Fillion, reunited -- especially because I'm pretty sure it was more his role on that show, and less his cult status from 'Firefly' that got Fillion the 'Castle' gig in the first place.

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'Desperate Housewives' - 'My Two Young Men' Recap

Isabelle Carreau — 2010-03-22T00:50:00+00:00

Filed under: Desperate Housewives, Episode Reviews, Reality-Free, Features, Recaps

(S06E18) "You should never trust family photos. They are designed to be deceiving." - Mary Alice when describing the Van De Kamp's photos

Last week's episode set a lot of storylines in motion: Preston and Irina's upcoming wedding, Sam becoming a part of Bree's life, Katherine and Robin potentially becoming a couple, and Patrick eventually finding the Bolens. This week, these four storylines continued to be developed and questions were raised as we fast approach the final episodes of this season of 'Desperate Housewives.'

Before I comment on these four storylines and the fact that Preston still has the worst fake mustache in TV history, I must warn you that the next new episode will air on April 18. That means we will have to wait close to a month before getting new dish on our favorite Wisteria Lane residents!

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'Desperate Housewives' - 'Chromolume #7' Recap

Isabelle Carreau — 2010-03-15T01:32:00+00:00

Filed under: Desperate Housewives, Episode Reviews, Reality-Free, Features, Recaps

(S06E17) "I know that you have a secret." - Gaby to Angie

'Desperate Housewives' titles are always found in lyrics of songs written by Stephen Sondheim. This week's unusual title is no different. 'Chromolume #7' is a song in the musical 'Sunday in the Park with George.' More precisely, the Chromolume #7 is a color and light machine featured in an act of the musical.

The title fits with Mary Alice's commentary at the end of the episode saying that it's not always easy to see people's true colors and that people hide their true nature from us every day. This week, we got confirmation on Angie's secret, we learned who Sam really is, we discovered how Gaby acted when she was a high profile model, and we met Preston's girlfriend and mustache!

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Who's Coming and Going on 'Desperate Housewives'?

Allison Waldman — 2010-03-06T09:55:00+00:00

Filed under: OpEd, Desperate Housewives, Celebrities, Casting, Emmys, Reality-Free, Features, TV News

Marc Cherry, the creator of 'Desperate Housewives,' would probably appreciate this reference. In the 1932 Oscar-winning movie 'Grand Hotel' -- which became a Tony-winning musical on Broadway -- one character, Dr. Otternschlag, who lives at the hotel and observes the action, comments wryly, "People come and go. Nothing ever happens." Of course, a zillion things happen; he's just unaware from his perch in the lobby.

Wisteria Lane is like that. From some neighbor's point of view, nothing happens. However, as viewers, we know better! And as for the people come and go, well, that's abundantly clear with the news this week.

Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello had two major casting items about the ABC drama. Emmy-winner Drea de Matteo is leaving 'Desperate Housewives' and Dana Delany might be out, too.

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'Dexter's Julie Benz Boards ABC's Superhero Pilot

Mike Moody — 2010-03-02T16:05:00+00:00

Filed under: Other Drama Shows, Other Sci-Fi/Supernatural Shows, Industry, Desperate Housewives, Dexter, Casting, Reality-Free, Features, TV News

'Dexter' and 'Buffy' alum Julie Benz is heading back to genre TV with a role in the ABC drama pilot 'No Ordinary Family', says The Hollywood Reporter.

The show stars 'Shield' and 'Fantastic Four' vet Michael Chiklis as the head of a super-powered family. Benz will co-star as Chiklis' wife, a sexy scientist who develops super speed (the power, not the drug).

Despite the drab title, 'No Ordinary Family' is shaping up to be a must-see. Chiklis and Benz are two of TV's top actors, and the pilot is the brainchild of producer Greg Berlanti, a guy who knows a thing or two about creating compelling family drama (see 'Everwood', 'Dirty Sexy Money', 'Brothers & Sisters').

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'Desperate Housewives' - 'The Chase' Recap

Isabelle Carreau — 2010-03-01T01:05:00+00:00

Filed under: Desperate Housewives, Episode Reviews, Reality-Free, Features, Recaps

(S06E16) "You may envy our lives, Gaby, but it's nothing compared to how we envy yours." - Bob to Gaby

After last week's episode centered around Robin, I expected this week's installment to put the main ladies back front and center. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the 'Desperate Housewives'' writers hadn't forgotten about some of the background characters and decided to give them center stage this week.

'The Chase' offered us tidbits about Penny, Karen McCluskey, Andrew, Celia and, two of my favorite recurring characters, Bob and Lee. While introducing a new cryptic character named Sam ... For sure, he has a secret agenda that will rock Wisteria Lane.

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'Desperate Housewives' - 'Lovely' Recap

Isabelle Carreau — 2010-02-22T01:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Desperate Housewives, Episode Reviews, Reality-Free, Features, Recaps

(S06E15) "Hello, there!" - Roy to Robin

When Susan and Mike decided to have Robin live under their roof at the end of the last 'Desperate Housewives' episode, it was pretty much a given that her presence on Wisteria Lane would shake things up a bit. As expected, the men and teenage boys drooled all over her while the ladies wanted her off their block asap!

Even if I knew Robin would stick around for a while -- Julie Benz's stay on the show has been extended from three to an unknown number of episodes, by the way -- I never expected her to get a full episode centered around her, especially so soon. It almost looks like Marc Cherry and co. are ready to have her permanently move to Wisteria Lane, don't you think?

Not only did Robin have an impact on all ladies and their families, which helped change their minds about Robin, but the character's background got fleshed out rather rapidly. We may even know more about Robin after only two episodes than we did about the Applewhites at the end of their season!

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'Dexter's Julie Benz Talks ... From Beyond the Grave!

Danny Gallagher — 2010-02-16T09:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Desperate Housewives, Interviews, Celebrities, Dexter, Reality-Free, Features, TV News, Celebrity Interviews

Julie Benz has been all over the place since her latest stint on 'Dexter' came to an abrupt and shocking end.

And apparently, no one was more shocked about her character than Julie herself! "Out of all the characters that I've played, I think she's the one I grieved for the most, just because it really came out of left field."

She recently sat down with our own Jane Boursaw for an interview at AOL Television (the only reason they wouldn't let me do it is because the majority of my dialogue would have consisted of drooling and repeating the phrase "Hamina-hamina-hamina").

She talked about her run on the acclaimed Showtime series, as well as her latest run on 'Desperate Housewives' as a stripper in reform and her rumored return to films such as 'Rambo V' and 'Saw VII.'

Casting News: Kathy Najimy on 'Ugly Betty'

Kona Gallagher — 2010-02-12T15:26:00+00:00

Filed under: Other Comedy Shows, Desperate Housewives, Casting, Reality-Free, Modern Family, Features, TV News

Kathy Najimy, who has recently appeared on 'Desperate Housewives' as Susan's high school enemy, is set to make a guest appearance on 'Ugly Betty.' What's interesting isn't that she's going to be there, it's why she's going to be there. Betty's finally getting the braces off!

Najimy plays Betty's orthodontist and the one responsible for getting all of that metal out of her mouth. I guess Betty decided to switch orthodontists rather than have to deal with the creepy advances of her old one, played by 'Modern Family''s Jesse Tyler Ferguson.

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Julie Benz to Stay Longer on 'Desperate Housewives'

Isabelle Carreau — 2010-02-06T09:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Desperate Housewives, Celebrities, Dexter, Reality-Free, Features, TV News

Since Julie Benz was written out of 'Dexter,' she found her way to Wisteria Lane as stripper Robin. Her original contract with 'Desperate Housewives' was to appear in three episodes, her first being the January 31 episode titled 'The Glamorous Life.'

However, due to her character being well-received and her promising storyline, she was offered to stay on 'Desperate' a while longer.

Spoilers coming up!

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Review: Desperate Housewives - The Glamorous Life

Isabelle Carreau — 2010-02-01T00:35:00+00:00

Filed under: Desperate Housewives, Episode Reviews, Reality-Free, Features, Recaps

(S06E14) "Stink, stank, stunk." - Lynette to Dr. Graham

Before going on a short hiatus, Desperate Housewives treated us with a so-so episode. This week's episode introduced an almost unrecognizable Julie Benz as stripper Robin (see above), whom Susan takes under her wing; offered us a funnily stinky performance from Frasier's Jane Leeves, which helped Tom and Lynette grow as a couple; put Angie and the Solises at odds as Danny and Ana were ready to take their relationship to the next step; and had the Bree-Orson storyline take a turn that I'm not enjoying at all.

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Captain Jack coming to Wisteria Lane

Allison Waldman — 2010-01-30T13:00:00+00:00

Filed under: OpEd, Desperate Housewives, Celebrities, Casting, Reality-Free, British TV, Glee, Features, TV News

Remember way back in July 2009? Of course you don't, but thank goodness for search engines. You see, on July 31st of last year, Bob wrote about a Torchwood character going to Wisteria Lane. Now, it's happening. John Barrowman will be appearing on Desperate Housewives. Captain Jack Harkness will be playing a villain, stirring up trouble for the ladies of the neighborhood.

Barrowman is expected to leave England in March to come to Los Angeles to begin filming. He'll appear on screen in April, and he's there for a mini-arc, at least five episodes. And he will be playing a malevolent man, i.e. a villain.

Ausiello reports that he's going to be involved with Angie's story. How will he impact on the Bolens, who are already brimming with angst and drama? Doesn't sound like it will be a positive impact.

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Review: Desperate Housewives - How About a Friendly Shrink?

Isabelle Carreau — 2010-01-17T23:45:00+00:00

Filed under: Desperate Housewives, Episode Reviews, Reality-Free, Features, Recaps

(S06E13) "The number one rule to a successful dinner party: keep discussion about your marriage to a minimum." - Mary Alice

Let's face it, all the Wisteria Lane residents need some one-on-one time with a shrink. From past episodes, we know that Tom and Lynette need to discuss their issues with the loss of the baby, Lynette's need for control and Tom's frustrations; while Orson and Bree need to cope with her affair with Karl and Orson being in a wheelchair and acting like a spoiled brat. This week, we can add that Gaby and Susan need to get over their need for competition and accept their children as they are; Bob and Lee must deal with their marital problems; and Angie needs advice so she can let new people in her life, aka Ana as Danny's new girlfriend.

Out of our favorite Wisteria Lane residents, only five met with a shrink and that includes Katherine, whom we finally (!) get news of.

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Review: Desperate Housewives - You Gotta Get a Gimmick

Isabelle Carreau — 2010-01-11T01:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Desperate Housewives, Episode Reviews, Reality-Free, Features, Recaps

(S06E12) After a dramatic plane crash and the housewives wondering what could happen as they tried to cope with their losses, it's time to return to normal life -- as much as one can have a normal life on Desperate Housewives that is -- on Wisteria Lane.

We resume about month after Karl's death. Julie and Susan learn what Karl left them in his will; Bree tries to get Orson to move back home; Lynette wants to know what will happen to her job; Gaby and Carlos try to get Juanita in a school. As for Katherine, she is still missing in action this week as she is still locked in the loony bin.

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Dexter's Julie Benz finds new work on Desperate Housewives

Danny Gallagher — 2010-01-04T21:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Desperate Housewives, Celebrities, Casting, Reality-Free, Features, TV News

Are you sad that Julie Benz is no longer going to play dear sweet Rita on Dexter? Did her tragic departure shatter the last remaining ounce of hope you had of living in a free and humane world? Does her exit have you questioning the existence of a just and fair God? If so, please seek immediate professional help.

And don't fret. Actress Julie Benz has already racked up an interesting role on ABC's Desperate Housewives.

And when I say "interesting," I mean "smoking hot." Her character, Debbie, is a stripper who is trying to earn a Master's degree in education. Think of it as a late night "Skinemax" movie but with a better acting coach.