Marc Cherry, the creator of the iconic television series Desperate Housewives, recently opened up about his complex feelings toward the success of the Real Housewives franchise, admitting to envy over its enduring popularity. Though Desperate Housewives ran from 2004 to 2012, it paved the way for Bravo's reality series The Real Housewives of Orange County, which launched just two years later.
Cherry's fictional dramedy captured the attention of audiences with its portrayal of suburban life filled with intrigue and dark secrets, featuring standout performances by the likes of Teri Hatcher, Eva Longoria, and Felicity Huffman. Meanwhile, the Real Housewives franchise transformed the themes of Cherry's work—wealth, drama, and interpersonal conflict—into a reality format, garnering immense popularity across various cities.
During his conversation with PEOPLE, Cherry recounted an amusing yet telling anecdote involving Tony Award-winning actor Tommy Tune, who confused him for the producer of the Real Housewives franchise. Cherry explained, “Tommy got confused and said, ‘Oh, so do you produce all the various cities?’ And I looked at him — I had no idea what he was talking about.” After realizing the misunderstanding, Cherry noted, “Oh, you think I created the real-life Housewives franchise?” This reflects how intertwined the two shows have become within popular culture, though fundamentally different.
While Cherry noted he holds no ill will toward the creators of the Real Housewives series, he openly acknowledged his envy. “I envy the fact they've kept the franchise going,” he said, adding, “I certainly envy the good folks who produce it because it's a train that's still chugging. So good for them.” His recognition of the consistent output of the Real Housewives series is telling, especially as Desperate Housewives concluded after eight seasons, leaving audiences nostalgic.
The Real Housewives franchise, which began its run with The Real Housewives of Orange County, has expanded to include numerous iterations, all celebrating the lives of affluent women across various locales. This perpetual production puts it at stark odds with Cherry's carefully crafted narrative, which ended its run due to creative exhaustion.
Cherry remarked, “They didn't crib my name, to be fair to them. They just used the word. Our show came out, and they capitalized on it. And you know what? That's the capitalistic system.” His acceptance of this reality acknowledges the interconnectedness of audience engagement with both scripted and reality television series.
The allure of continuing the Real Housewives legacy creates curiosity about whether Desperate Housewives might see revival or continuation of its narrative. Cherry himself admitted pondering possibilities of returning to the beloved neighborhood of Wisteria Lane. Yet, he emphasized, “If I ever dipped my toe back, I would want to make sure I had a good reason. If there’s nothing new to say, then perhaps it's best to leave it alone.”
Despite success, the television world is challenging, and Cherry's reflections provided insight not only about his envy toward Real Housewives but also about his pride for Desperate Housewives. He understands the role of each series within television history, recognizing the constraints both creative and commercial forces impose.
Overall, the dynamic between these two television phenomena is complex, with Cherry's acknowledgment of envy speaking to the relative ease and endless expansion potential of reality shows. Meanwhile, the impact and legacy of Desperate Housewives remain firmly seated within television history, as it broke ground for future storytelling methods.
Cherry's observations bring forth important conversations about artistic authenticity, the nature of reality television, and how both genres can coexist and thrive. Although he reflects on his envy over the Real Housewives franchises’ continued success, it is also clear he holds firm to the notion of meaningful storytelling, even if it means stepping away from revisiting his past work.