The end won’t be desperate for series

By Rick Bentley

McClatchy Newspapers

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.

The announcement that this season — the eighth — will be the last for ABC’s “Desperate Housewives” was only a minor surprise to cast members.

“I knew the show was only going to go on for one or two more years. I kept hoping it would be season nine because I love the show,” says Felicity Huffman, who plays Lynette Scavo. “I was surprised, but it wasn’t a total shock.”

Huffman praises ABC for announcing ahead of time this would be the end, giving the writers time to work toward a proper finale.

ABC entertainment president Paul Lee wanted to make sure that “Desperate Housewives” had its “victory lap.”

And series creator Marc Cherry says it’s just the right time to end the show.

“I think the only thing harder than creating a hit show is knowing when to end it, especially when you’ve got, I think, one of the most amazing casts in the history of television, who continue to deliver amazing performances week after week,” Cherry said.

“You’ve got wonderful writers. You’ve got the most wonderful crew in television. It’s something that’s weighed on my mind for quite awhile now, but because I have been working in television for 23 years, I’m also very aware of people overstaying their welcome. Shows that kind of go on too long and people just forget about them. They drift away into nothing, and they’re unceremoniously booted off.

“I just didn’t want that to happen to ‘Desperate Housewives.’ I wanted to go out while the network still saw us as a viable show, while we were still doing well in the ratings, and we were still a force to be contended with.”