If you're prone to addictive behaviors, avoid this show.

I had of course heard all the buzz about this hit television show, but since I don't watch much tv, I never watched it. And when I did manage to see an episode I couldn't understand it because I hadn't seen the first couple episodes. It's definitely one of those shows you need to watch from the beginning. And it really is a guilty pleasure. I hate myself for loving this show and becoming a strung out addict who could not stop watching the series. I think I watched all 6 dvd's in about a week. That's a year of tv shows in a week. Talk about a junkie.

As far as television goes, this is a network show that feels exactly like a cable show. The Sex and the City audience promptly found a suitable replacement, and it follows a similar format: great fashion, glamorous characters, subdued and sexually provocative situations, and quirky plots. There's proof in this when you do a Netflix search for Desperate Housewives and see all of the S&C episodes listed as "other members also enjoyed." At some points, the quirky plots become downright weird, but I think that's the appeal to this dark dramedy. It's not far from how I'd envision those same S&C characters 10 years later after they'd settled down with their Mr. Not-So-Rights. (It wouldn't surprise me if the producer of this show used S&C as the guidebook for Desperate Housewives.)

For a Housewives/S&C comparison: Terri Hatcher (Susan) plays the part of Carrie Bradshaw. Felicity Huffman (Lynette) plays the part of Miranda (the busy professional type, who in this case is stuck with the annoying bratty children at home). Marcia Cross (Bree) plays the part of Charlotte (the pedigree Stepford wife). And Nicolette Sheridan plays the part of Samantha -- the older blond bombshell who's a sexual predator.

One role I'm not altogether sure why they wrote in was the part of Gabrielle (Eva Longoria). I hate to say this, but it appears this part was written in as the token Hispanic minority so they wouldn't generate controversy for only being white suburban housewives. I also think Eva was wrong for this role, though I do like her character. She plays the part of a former model, though most models are a lot taller and closer to "bombshell" than cute girl next door. It's hard to believe this character ever made $10,000 a day in her former career as a New York model. I think this character does add something to the show, but it's all incidental. Still, she's growing on me.

Lynette is the female character most desperately in need of a script overhaul. I find most of her performances either dull or cringeworthy, and I'm not sure why she won an Emmy for that role (I believe she did, correct me if I'm wrong). The first couple episodes with screaming kids everywhere was theoretically cute, but at some point it becomes irritating "white noise." Get her in a more appropriate power career role and keep her there. (I hope the screenwriters are listening.) This character does come to life when something happens about her former career.

The absolute best role and actress in this show is played by Marcia Cross. She has mastered the role of Stepford wife Bree to a science. Every scene she has a completely new outfit that fits the role perfectly. The hair, the look, the tone of voice, EVERYTHING. I would watch this show just to see her performances alone. I'm a believer that you don't have to scream at your kids in every scene to deserve an Emmy, or look really cute and coy. Though she is strikingly beautiful in an unordinary way. Bree's role here is the most underrated of them all and I don't think this show would have worked without her. I had never even heard of Marcia Cross before this show, and now I'm fixated. I can't wait to see how she handles the next mishap as her world is falling apart all around.

You will be annoyed by Susan's relationships. Very Sarah Jessica Parker circa S&C. She gets wrapped up in these burly "man's man" men and appears to be in love, yet 90% of the time they're fighting or trying to overcome some bizarre problem. She also has a ton of previous relationship baggage that always seems to get in the way. I realize this is pure fantasy, but I can't believe she fell in love with this guy with that level of drama. I do however like the relationship between Susan and Edie (Nicolette). It's a great love-hate-friendship-rivalry. Nicolette provides the one-liner zingers that really give this show some kick (like Karen on Will and Grace). I'd like to see her move forward and become a primary role instead of a supporting role.

One thing I didn't like about this show is the handling of the male characters. I realize they're supposed to be supporting characters, but none of them are that interesting aside from the gardner (Jesse Metcalfe) and the Van Der Kamp's psychiatrist. The other male characters, quite frankly, are either too boring or excrutiating to watch. They're either totally flat an uninteresting, or too over the top and always angry or totally psychotic. I also think this show is missing a "gay male best friend." One of the women needs that kind of character to play off of, relate to their experiences and interject more humor and interest. Plus this show has a huge gay audience and it wouldn't hurt to bring that out more. It has a gay character here and there, but nothing worth mentioning. I think Gabrielle would be the most appropriate Housewife to adopt a gay best friend (are you listening writers?).

This show also has a host of other "creepy" secondary characters that come and go, and do add a lot of spice. Eva's mother in law and neighbor Martha Huber entered the show, did some fun damage, and were killed off. Though I think any of these characters could live and continue adding life to the show. I guess there is some joy in seeing a terrible death happen to a cold and cunning character you've learned to love to hate so much. But then again, it sure is fun hating someone sometimes.

I also have to give much credit to the narrator Brenda Strong (Mary Alice Young, who committed suicide in the first episode). Her haunting voice perfectly packages this show and sets the tone.

All in all, this show works really well. It's not exactly perfect, but for network television it's one of the most innovative things I've seen in a long time. The intro credits (with the collage of various artworks) is probably the most interesting "intro" I've ever seen on television. I can't figure out the correlation between artwork and Desperate Housewives, but some things are best enjoyed without too much thought (It's hard to believe I would ever over-analyze anything isn't it?) Like a good soap opera, this show will hook you and force you to work your life around it. Unless of course you buy the dvd series or rent it on Netflix like I did. I will have to say, this is worth the price of admission. Kind of like a bag of Cheeto's. You really don't want to take a bite, but once you do you can't stop eating.