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Home » Blogs » Brian Juergens's blog » Marc Cherry dishes on the future of the Househusbands

Marc Cherry dishes on the future of the Househusbands

by
Brian Juergens

An interview with Desperate Housewives creator Marc Cherry ran today over at USA Today where he opens up a bit about where the couple is headed and why they're on Wisteria Lane to begin with:

"In capturing the gay suburban experience, the joke is they have the same issues as everyone else," says series creator Marc Cherry, who eschewed stereotypical characterizations of gay men. "The politically correct thing would have been to have everyone get along with them. But there's a lot of comedy to be played against type."

Cherry also notes that while the couple will have a Big Secret like everyone else on the show, they will be instrumental in rebuilding the community after the sweeps-induced tornado that rocks the neighborhood (insert inevitable Wizard of Oz reference HERE). Actors Kevin Rahm and Tuc Watkins (whom we interviewed just last week) also chime in on their roles.

Cherry also reveals he named the couple after ABC journalist Bob Woodruff and his wife Lee. (I'm sure it thrills Lee to no end that she's "the bitch" of the couple). What, "Michael and Brent" doesn't have the same ring?

I've gotten the sense that some readers haven't been thrilled thus far with how the couple has been portrayed on the show. Any thoughts on this new info?

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    • Submitted by
    Brian Juergens
    on Fri, 2007-11-02 10:47.
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    Cylon's picture

    I can see why some might not

    Submitted by
    Cylon (747 points) (141 posts)
    on Fri, 2007-11-02 10:58.
    I can see why some might not like them, but I do so far.
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    Jason's picture

    I like them too!

    Submitted by
    Jason (90 points) (18 posts)
    on Fri, 2007-11-02 11:56.
    These characters have only appeared on two episodes and seems like people really dislike them. My thought after last week's episode was that this couple is not unlike any other couple on the show. All of the characters are flawed... nobody is perfect. Why wouldn't Lee be a little bitchy after the way he and Bob have been treated so far. First, Susan makes a fool of herself (per usual) with them and then the entire neighborhood rallies against their fountain (it was hideous!). I think Marc Cherry would be criticized no matter what. Would it be better if Lee were having coffee and dishing with the rest of the girls? This couple at least seems to put on a united front and give a contrast to the idea of what surbubia should be like. I think we should be appreciative that we are getting a little more representation on TV. Is it perfect? No. Is it better than we had a year ago? Yes.
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    Jon's picture

    Is Marc Cherry joking??

    Submitted by
    Jon (2290 points) (467 posts)
    on Fri, 2007-11-02 12:16.

    He says he didn't want to present stereotypes? Is there any bigger stereotype than two rich white males, one of whom is openly nasty and bitchy, and they love design and decorating? I never understand this idea where presenting people as getting along with gays somehow means stereotypes are being reinforced. Where was his fear of stereotypes when he presented Andrew as a sociopath who was only gay to spite his mother, who was implied as being gay because his mother smothered him, and who all but became asexual as soon as he stopped being "bad"?

    If anyone has reinforced legions of ugly stereotypes about gay men, it's Marc Cherry.

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    Anthony D. Langford's picture

    I don't have a problem with

    Submitted by
    Anthony D. Langford (7496 points) (1638 posts)
    on Fri, 2007-11-02 13:36.
    I don't have a problem with them. I find it amusing that people are bothered that they are bitchy and have secrets when everyone else does on this show. I guess because they're gay they should be nicer?
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    Jon's picture

    Big difference

    Submitted by
    Jon (2290 points) (467 posts)
    on Fri, 2007-11-02 16:38.

    Those characters are presented in a more complex way. We see their point of view. They are not simply plot devices who pop up long enough to be bitchy and hostile. That's what the gay neighbors are. Just look at how the show bent over backwards to make boring Orson into a sweetheart once they decided to keep him around. They certainly don't seem to care about doing the same for these new neighbors.

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    Cylon's picture

    Geez, they've only been in

    Submitted by
    Cylon (747 points) (141 posts)
    on Fri, 2007-11-02 20:43.

    Geez, they've only been in two episodes so far... And if you read the article, Cherry "says he and his writers are still developing Bob and Lee's story lines — which, in keeping with the neighborhood, include at least one secret between the couple and a story line involving their roles in helping rebuild the community after a tornado."

    Furthermore, Bob has been nice and polite with the neighbors, and though Lee is generally rude/sarcastic, he was genuinely grateful when Susan was trying to "help" find their dog.

    Also, I disagree with your statement of Orson. He was never boring; if anything he was more threatening at first because it was believed he had killed his previous wife (though I don't think the revelation that he hadn't was the writers backtracking, as the season's previous two mysteries also had the characters involved not being as bad as they first appeared to be).

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