'DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES' PRIMED FOR BIG SHOW.Byline: David Kronke Television Writer ``Desperate Housewives'' has become network TV's biggest out-of-the-box hit in years, reviving the fortunes of ABC ABC in full American Broadcasting Co. Major U.S. television network. It began when the expanding national radio network NBC split into the separate Red and Blue networks in 1928. , which drop-kicked longtime ratings juggernaut NBC NBC in full National Broadcasting Co. Major U.S. commercial broadcasting company. It was formed in 1926 by RCA Corp., General Electric Co. (GE), and Westinghouse and was the first U.S. company to operate a broadcast network. to third place in the advertiser-important 18-to-49 demographic during the most recent sweeps rating period in November. The women of Wisteria Lane Wisteria Lane is a fictional street, appearing in the American television series Desperate Housewives. Premise within the show Wisteria Lane is located in the city of Fairview, in the fictional Eagle State. have been drawing big audiences and ratings on Sunday nights since the hour-long dramedy premiered Oct. 3. The series has already won two Golden Globes - for best comedy series and best comedy actress (Teri Hatcher Teri Lynn Hatcher (born December 8, 1964) is an Emmy-nominated and Golden Globe Award-winning American actress and author. She gained attention for her role as Lois Lane in the television series co-starring with Dean Cain. ). On Sunday, Hatcher and the series are up for Screen Actors Guild Awards The Screen Actors Guild Awards are an annual award given by the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) to recognize outstanding performances by members. SAG Awards have been one of the major awards events in Hollywood since 1995. . Jessica Morgan of Santa Monica Santa Monica (săn`tə mŏn`ĭkə), city (1990 pop. 86,905), Los Angeles co., S Calif., on Santa Monica Bay; inc. 1886. Tourism and retailing are important, and the city has motion-picture, biotechnology, and software industries. , who writes the witty weekly ``Desperate'' recaps of each episode for the Web site www.televisionwithoutpity.com, attributes its success to a serendipitous ser·en·dip·i·ty n. pl. ser·en·dip·i·ties 1. The faculty of making fortunate discoveries by accident. 2. The fact or occurrence of such discoveries. 3. An instance of making such a discovery. confluence of factors. ``It premiered fairly early in the fall, while nothing was on HBO Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) A form of oxygen therapy in which the patient breathes oxygen in a pressurized chamber. Mentioned in: Ozone Therapy , so it managed to catch a lot of viewers who might otherwise have dismissed it. I also think that tastes are cyclical and that it came around at the right time. People are ready for soapy dramas again. (Viewers) appreciate that the dialogue is snappy and clever; it's well-acted, and it has fantastic production values Production values is a media term for "production cost." It refers to the professional look, or "polish," of a production. Factors that affect perceived production value may include video and audio quality, lighting, number of errors, and amount and quality of special effects. .'' It also offers plenty of grist for discussion. ``It's a little embarrassing to admit that 'Desperate Housewives' is appointment television for me,'' says Cynthia Willman of Eagle Rock. ``There are beautiful people to look at. There's kind of a goofy aspect, and there's a dark aspect, as well, and both of those speak to my soul. Those might be the words that define me, and the juxtaposition of those elements makes the show enormous fun.'' Suzanne Lauer, a single post-production executive living in Valley Village, agrees, suggesting the series blends the best elements of ``Sex and the City'' and ``Twin Peaks.'' ``There is fun mystery and great characters. I loved 'Twin Peaks.' It was intelligent and stylish, like nothing we had seen. 'Desperate Housewives' fills that hole and, in terms of female characters, the hole left by 'Sex and the City.' It's great to see these women interacting - I miss the support, friendship and interactions I saw there.'' Stephen McPherson, president of ABC Entertainment, says the ratings speak for themeslves. ``We all have points of view, but the bottom line is appealing to a broad audience. Any ideas we may have about it - our hype, our spin - is negated by what America thinks. Viewers are the voters.'' David Kronke, (818) 713-3638 david.kronke(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1) ``Desperate Housewives'' has become network TV's biggest out-of-the-box hit in years, reviving the fortunes of ABC. (2) Nicollette Sheridan and the women of Wisteria Lane have been drawing big audiences and ratings on Sunday nights since the hour-long dramedy premiered Oct. 3. The series has already won two Golden Globes - for best comedy series and best comedy actress (Teri Hatcher). |
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