Desperate Housewives season 4
Warning: Display title "<i>Desperate Housewives</i> season 4" overrides earlier display title "<i>Desperate Housewives season 4</i>" (help).
| Desperate Housewives (Season 4) | |
|---|---|
| Season 4 | |
 ABC promotional poster for the fourth season of Desperate Housewives. From left to right: Bree, Edie, Susan, Gabrielle, and Lynette. | |
| Starring | |
| No. of episodes | 17 |
| Release | |
| Original network | ABC |
| Original release | September 30, 2007 – May 18, 2008 |
| Season chronology | |
The fourth season of Desperate Housewives, an American television series created by Marc Cherry, premiered on September 30, 2007 on ABC. Filming for the series was interrupted by the 2007-2008 Writers Guild of America strike in November 2007, after production on the two-episode tornado storyline wrapped. The first part, "Something's Coming", aired on December 2, 2007.[1] "Welcome to Kanagawa", the second part and the last episode filmed before the strike, was originally going to be aired after the strike's resolution,[1] but aired on January 6, 2008.[2] Seven additional episodes were produced for the fourth season after the strike, the first of which aired on April 13, 2008. The final two episodes served as a two-part finale and were aired consecutively on May 18, 2008. A total of 17 episodes aired as part of the season, with one recap special airing on September 23, 2007.
The series continues to focus on Wisteria Lane residents Susan Delfino, Lynette Scavo, Bree Hodge, Gabrielle Solis and Edie Britt, with Mary Alice Young returning as the series' narrator. Katherine Mayfair and her family are introduced in this season and are the center of the season's mystery. Critical reception for the season was positive,[3] and ratings increased from the third season. The series drew in an average of 17.9 million viewers per episode during the 2007-08 American television season, becoming the sixth most-watched program of the year and the most-watched scripted program for the first time.
The series was released on a five-disc DVD box set by ABC Studios on September 2, 2008 in Region 1,[4] October 29, 2008 in Region 4, November 3, 2008 in Region 2, and March 17, 2009 in Region 5.[5]
Production
Joe Keenan, one of the three executive producers during the third season, as well as writer of the critically acclaimed season episode "Bang", did not return for season four as executive producer, but as consulting producer.[6] Replacing Keenan, and joining Marc Cherry and George W. Perkins as executive producers, is season three writer and co-executive producer Bob Daily, whose previous work include sitcoms Frasier and Out of Practice, as well as cartoon series Rugrats. Keenan will serve as Cherry's second-in-command for the next two years. Also joining as executives producers are writers and former co-executive producers John Pardee and Joey Murphy who have been on the show since its first season.[7]
Cast
The fourth season had twelve roles receiving star billing. All eleven starring actors from the previous season returned for this season. The series is narrated by Brenda Strong, who portrays the deceased Mary Alice Young, as she observes from beyond the grave the lives of the Wisteria Lane residents and her former best friends. Teri Hatcher portrayed Susan Delfino, who is finally married after three seasons searching for a stable relationship. Felicity Huffman portrayed Lynette Scavo, who fights cancer during the first half of the season and deals with her step-daughter's behavior in the second half. Marcia Cross portrayed Bree Hodge, married for the second time and faking pregnancy in an attempt to protect her daughter. Eva Longoria portrayed former model Gabrielle Lang, now the wife of Fairview's mayor. Nicollette Sheridan portrayed Edie Britt, who faked suicide in the previous season finale. Ricardo Antonio Chavira portrayed Carlos Solis, now divorced from Gabrielle but still in love with her while involved in a relationship with Edie. Andrea Bowen portrayed Julie Mayer, the responsible and caring daughter of Susan. Doug Savant portrayed Tom Scavo, Lynette's husband and now owner of a pizzeria. Kyle MacLachlan portrayed Orson Hodge, Bree's second husband and the man that ran over Mike in the second season finale. James Denton portrayed Mike Delfino, now Susan's husband who starts using drugs. Dana Delany is introduced in the role of Katherine Mayfair, whose mysterious arc is the season's main storyline.[8]
Five out of six actors who received "also starring" billing from the previous season returned. Shawn Pyfrom, portrayed Bree's homosexual son Andrew Van de Kamp. Lyndsy Fonseca was cast in the new role of Dylan Mayfair, Katherine's daughter and part of the season's mystery.[9] Joy Lauren reappeared in the role of Danielle Van de Kamp, Bree's pregnant daughter. Brent Kinsman, Shane Kinsman and Zane Huett, played Preston Scavo, Porter Scavo and Parker Scavo, Lynette's troublesome children. Rachel Fox was promoted to regular after guest starring in several episodes in the previous season as Kayla Huntington Scavo, Tom's mischievous daughter and the result of an affair he had before meeting Lynette.
This season featured many established and new guest stars. Kathryn Joosten portrayed Karen McCluskey, one of the most prominent residents of Wisteria Lane, Richard Burgi appeared as Karl Mayer, Susan's ex-husband who is also married again, Pat Crawford Brown played elderly neighbor Ida Greenberg, whereas Tuc Watkins and Kevin Rahm made their debut in this season respectively as Bob Hunter and Lee McDermott, a gay couple from Chicago who move to the lane.[10] Part of Lynette's storyline were Polly Bergen in the role of Stella Wingfield, Lynette's mother who moves to the Scavo family home to support her daughter in her battle against cancer, and Jason Gedrick playing Rick Coletti, who had feelings for Lynette in the previous season and now opens his own restaurant to compete with the Scavo Pizzeria. Part of Bree's storyline were Shirley Knight returning as Phyllis Van de Kamp, Bree's first mother-in-law, and Dakin Matthews appearing as Reverend Sykes, reverend at the local Presbyterian church. Part of Gabrielle's storyline were John Slattery playing Victor Lang, Gabrielle's new husband and the mayor of Fairview, Mike Farrell in the role of Milton Lang, Victor's father, Jeff Doucette portraying Father Crowley, priest at the local Catholic church, Justine Bateman playing Ellie Leonard, a drug dealer who rents a room in the Solises' house, and Jesse Metcalfe reappearing as John Rowland, Gabrielle's ex-lover and former gardener. Part of the main mystery arc were Nathan Fillion portraying Adam Mayfair, a doctor and Katherine's second husband,[11] Ellen Geer appearing as Lillian Simms, Katherine's aunt, Melora Walters playing Sylvia Greene, Adam's former patient and ex-lover from Chicago, and Gary Cole in the role of Wayne Davis, a cop and Katherine's abusive first husband. Additionally, Gale Harold was introduced as Susan's new lover Jackson Braddock during the five-year jump featured at the end of the season.
For the 14th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, Fillion, Joosten and Slattery were nominated along with the rest of the main cast for the Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series award due to their many appearances this season.[12]
Episodes
| No. in series |
No. in season |
Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | U.S. viewers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 71 | 1 | "Now You Know" | Larry Shaw | Marc Cherry | September 30, 2007 | 19.32[13] |
| 72 | 2 | "Smiles of a Summer Night" | David Grossman | Bob Daily & Matt Berry | October 7, 2007 | 17.82[14] |
| 73 | 3 | "The Game" | Bethany Rooney | Joey Murphy & John Pardee | October 14, 2007 | 18.89[15] |
| 74 | 4 | "If There's Anything I Can't Stand" | Larry Shaw | Alexandra Cunningham & Lori Kirkland Baker | October 21, 2007 | 18.21[16] |
| 75 | 5 | "Art Isn't Easy" | David Grossman | Jason Ganzel | October 28, 2007 | 18.28[17] |
| 76 | 6 | "Now I Know, Don't Be Scared" | Larry Shaw | Susan Nirah Jaffee & Dahvi Waller | November 4, 2007 | 18.58[18] |
| 77 | 7 | "You Can't Judge a Book By Its Cover" | David Warren | Chuck Ranberg & Anne Flett-Giordano | November 11, 2007 | 18.63[19] |
| 78 | 8 | "Distant Past" | Jay Torres | Joe Keenan | November 25, 2007 | 18.64[20] |
| 79 | 9 | "Something's Coming" | David Grossman | Joey Murphy & John Pardee | December 2, 2007 | 20.65[21] |
| 80 | 10 | "Welcome to Kanagawa" | Larry Shaw | Jamie Gorenberg & Jordon Nardino | January 6, 2008 | 19.78[22] |
| 81 | 11 | "Sunday" | David Grossman | Alexandra Cunningham & Lori Kirkland Baker | April 13, 2008 | 16.37[23] |
| 82 | 12 | "In Buddy's Eyes" | Larry Shaw | Jeff Greenstein | April 20, 2008 | 15.75[24] |
| 83 | 13 | "Hello, Little Girl" | Bethany Rooney | Susan Nirah Jaffee & Jamie Gorenberg | April 27, 2008 | 16.35[25] |
| 84 | 14 | "Opening Doors" | David Grossman | Dahvi Waller & Jordon Nardino | May 4, 2008 | 16.76[26] |
| 85 | 15 | "Mother Said" | David Warren | Chuck Ranberg & Anne Flett-Giordano | May 11, 2008 | 15.43[27] |
| 86 | 16 | "The Gun Song" | Bethany Rooney | Bob Daily & Matt Berry | May 18, 2008 | 16.84[28] |
| 87 | 17 | "Free" | David Grossman | Jeff Greenstein | May 18, 2008 | 16.84[28] |
Ratings
United States
| Episode number Production number |
Title | Original airing | Rating | Share | 18-49 (ratings) [2] | Total viewers (in millions) | Rank per week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 71 4-01 |
Now You Know | September 30, 2007 | 12.2 | 18 | 7.5 | 19.317 | #4 |
| 72 4-02 |
Smiles of a Summer Night | October 7, 2007 | 11.7 | 17 | 6.8 | 17.817 | #5 |
| 73 4-03 |
The Game | October 14, 2007 | 11.8 | 18 | 7.4 | 18.892 | #4 |
| 74 4-04 |
If There's Anything I Can't Stand | October 21, 2007 | 11.5 | 17 | 7.3 | 18.214 | #4 |
| 75 4-05 |
Art Isn't Easy | October 28, 2007 | 11.8 | 17 | 7.2 | 18.280 | #3 |
| 76 4-06 |
Now I Know, Don't Be Scared | November 4, 2007 | 11.8 | 18 | 7.0 | 18.579 | #6 |
| 77 4-07 |
You Can't Judge a Book By Its Cover | November 11, 2007 | 11.9 | 18 | 7.2 | 18.632 | #5 |
| 78 4-08 |
Distant Past | November 25, 2007 | 11.6 | 17 | 7.0 | 18.638 | #4 |
| 79 4-09 |
Something's Coming | December 2, 2007 | 12.7 | 18 | 7.8 | 20.650 | #4 |
| 80 4-10 |
Welcome to Kanagawa | January 6, 2008 | 12.1 | 18 | 7.3 | 19.782 | #5 |
| 81 4-11 |
Sunday | April 13, 2008 | 10.1 | 15 | 5.9 | 16.371 | #8 |
| 82 4-12 |
In Buddy's Eyes | April 20, 2008 | 10.0 | 15 | 5.5 | 15.746 | #2[29] |
| 83 4-13 |
Hello, Little Girl | April 27, 2008 | 10.2 | 16 | 5.9 | 16.346[30] | #5 |
| 84 4-14 |
Opening Doors | May 4, 2008 | 10.8 | 17 | 6.3 | 16.757[31] | #4 |
| 85 4-15 |
Mother Said | May 11, 2008 | 9.7 | 15 | 5.6 | 15.427[32] | #5 |
| 86 4-16 |
The Gun Song | May 18, 2008 | 10.7 | 17 | 6.2 | 16.837 | #6 |
| 87 4-17 |
Free | May 18, 2008 | 10.7 | 17 | 6.2 | 16.837 | #6 |
Season debuts
| Date | Country | Channel | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2007 | USA | ABC | 9:00 pm/8.00pmc |
| September 30, 2007 | Canada | CTV | 9:00 pm/8:00pmc |
| October 15, 2007 | Poland | n (Poland) | Video on Demand |
| December 4, 2007 | Turkey | CNBC-e (cable TV) | Tuesdays 9:00 pm |
| December 5, 2007 | Italy | FOXlife (Sky Italia - SAT TV) | 9:00 pm |
| January 7, 2008 | Arab World | Showtime Arabia | 9:00 pm |
| January 8, 2008 | Ireland | RTÉ Two | 9:50 pm |
| January 8, 2008 | Portugal | Fox Life | 9:00 pm |
| January 31, 2008 | South Africa | M-Net | 8:30 pm |
| February 4, 2008 | New Zealand | TV 2 | 8:30 pm |
| February 11, 2008 | Switzerland | SF2 | 8:00 pm |
| February 11, 2008 | Austria | ORF1 | 9:00 pm |
| February 11, 2008 | Australia | Seven | 8:30 pm |
| February 13, 2008 | Germany | Pro7 | Wednesdays 8:15 pm |
| February 13, 2008 | Latin America | Sony Entertainment Television | 10:00 pm |
| February 14, 2008 | Poland | FOXlife | 9:00 pm |
| February 19, 2008 | Norway | TV 2 | 9:45 pm |
| March 10, 2008 | Finland | Nelonen | 9:00 pm |
| March 25, 2008 | Malaysia | 8TV | 10:30 pm |
| March 26, 2008 August 27, 2008 |
United Kingdom (excluding Wales) | Channel 4 | 10.00 pm - main UK showing See notes below. |
| March 27, 2008 August 27, 2008 |
Wales | S4C | 2:20 am See notes below. |
| March 30, 2008 | Israel | yes stars 1 | 9:15 pm |
| March 30, 2008 August 31, 2008 |
United Kingdom (excluding Wales) | E4 | 9.00 pm - repeat 10.00 pm - premiere UK showing See notes below. |
| April 2, 2008 | Spain | La 2 | Wednesdays 10:15 pm |
| April 25, 2008 | Hungary | TV2 | Wednesdays 10:15 pm |
| May 20, 2008 | Mexico | TvAzteca | 10:00 pm |
| September 16, 2008 | Asia | Star World | 11:00 pm |
| Fall 2008 | Bulgaria | BTV | 9:00 pm |
| October 2, 2008 | Poland | Polsat (free-TV premiere) | 10:05 pm |
| Fall 2008 | Latvia | TV3 | Mondays, 10:00 pm |
| Fall 2008 | Lithuania | TV3 | 10:00 pm |
| October 14, 2008 | Republic of Macedonia | A1 Televizija | Tuesday 9:00 pm |
| October 20, 2008 | Singapore | Channel 5 | 10:00 pm |
| January 2009 | Serbia | RTS | 9:00 pm |
| August 28, 2008 | France | Canal + | 8:50 pm |
| February 2, 2009 | Slovenia | POP TV | 8:50 pm/11.15 pm |
| June 23, 2009 | France | M6 | 8:45 pm |
Note
The late season start in the United Kingdom was because of the strike. Channel 4 intended to begin showing season 4 in January, but it did not want to begin showing the season, only to have to take a break halfway through because of lack of episodes available.
Ironically, Desperate Housewives was eventually forced to take a break because of Big Brother 9 in the summer. It was anticipated that Desperate Housewives would have finished by June, but this was not the case. Big Brother took up the 9 pm or 10 pm slot every day from June 5, 2008 until September 5, 2008, so there was not room for Desperate Housewives in the schedules. As there were still seven episodes left to show as of June, Channel 4 waited until Big Brother had finished to resume showing them. Episodes returned with Sunday on Wednesday September 3 at the earlier time of 9:30 pm between 2 episodes of the Big Brother day 90 eviction.
As E4 is one episode ahead of Channel 4, but does not air the season premiere before the host channel, E4 did not begin airing the new season until four days later on March 30. Episodes after this were aired on E4 three days before the Channel 4 airing, with the exception of Sunday which was treated as a season premiere.
Desperate Housewives airs very late at night on Welsh channel S4C due to Welsh-language programming airing during prime-time.
DVD Release
| Desperate Housewives: The Complete Fourth Season (Sizzling Secrets Edition)[33] | |||||
| Set Details | Special Features | ||||
|
| ||||
| Release Dates | |||||
| Region 1 | Region 2 | Region 4 | |||
| September 2, 2008 | November 3, 2008 | ||||
References
- ^ a b Tornado to Bring Death to "Housewives" Sunday--Marc Cherry interview
- ^ "Housewives" Back Next Month, New York Post, December 19, 2007
- ^ "TV Review: Desperate Housewives". Entertainment Weekly.
- ^ "Desperate Housewives - The Complete Fourth Season". Amazon.com
- ^ "Desperate Housewives - The Complete Third Season". Empik
- ^ Schneider, Michael & Adalian, Josef: Keenan not 'Desperate' any more, Variety Magazine, March 29, 2007
- ^ Development Update: Week of June 11-15
- ^ Owen, Rob (August 17, 2007). "Tuned In: 'Desperate' measures include adding Dana Delany to cast". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
- ^ Small, Jonathan (August 24, 2007). "A First Look at Desperate Housewives' New Neighbors". TV Guide. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
- ^ Jensen, Michael (October 22, 2007). "Interview with 'Desperate Housewives'' Tuc Watkins. AfterElton. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
- ^ Christianson, Emily (October 5, 2007). "'Desperate Housewives': At Home on Wisteria Lane with Nathan Fillion". Hollywood.com. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
- ^ [1] 14th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards Nominations.
- ^ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. October 2, 2007. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
- ^ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. October 9, 2007. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
- ^ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. October 16, 2007. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
- ^ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. October 23, 2007. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
- ^ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. October 30, 2007. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
- ^ "Weekly Primetime Ratings". ABC Medianet. November 6, 2007. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
- ^ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. November 13, 2007. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
- ^ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. November 27, 2007. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
- ^ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. December 4, 2007. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
- ^ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. January 8, 2008. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
- ^ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. April 15, 2008. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
- ^ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. April 22, 2008. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
- ^ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. April 29, 2008. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
- ^ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. May 6, 2008. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
- ^ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. May 13, 2008. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
- ^ a b "Nielsen Ratings May 18, 2008: Housewives Rule, Country is Cool". Tv by the Numbers. May 19, 2008. Retrieved October 1, 2010.
- ^ DVR Viewers STILL Love Desperate Housewives - And The Office Too!
- ^ List of the top 20 shows in the prime-time Nielsen ratings - MSN TV News
- ^ Nielsen TV Ratings Top ABC Primetime Shows, April 28 - May 4, 2008; including Dancing With The Stars, Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, Lost, Brothers & Sisters, Samantha Who?, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and Ugly Betty ratings
- ^ Nielsen Weekly Top 20: Idol Wins, Zucker and NBC Nowhere to be Found
- ^ "Desperate Housewives: The Complete Fourth Season". Amazon.com. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
External links
- "'Desperate Housewives,' 'Ugly Betty,' 'Boston Legal' set return dates". Chicago Tribune. February 20, 2008.
- "'Desperate Housewives' Returning to Work, Show Star Spills on New Episodes". BuddyTV. February 16, 2008.