27069557
Neither rain, sleet nor snow can stop eight women from getting together Sunday nights to watch the lives of some housewives by the names of Bree, Lynette, Susan and Gabrielle play out on Wisteria Lane.
Joanne Fillius, Maria Carmichael, Teresa Gianguilio, Annette DiDomenicis, Sharon Gahagan, Vittoria Dean, Valentina Bartolomeo and Michelle Huhnken watch "Desperate Housewives" on ABC together. All live on or near the 1300 block of Porter Street and take turns hosting the gatherings, which come complete with food and a post-show wrap-up.
One Sunday during a terrible snowstorm, Gahagan, who lives at 12th and Shunk streets, was so desperate not to miss a minute of the show she double-parked her car in the middle of host Carmichael’s block with flashers on. She walked through the door at 8:47 p.m., with a little more than 10 minutes to spare before show time.
Another stormy Sunday, some of the women showed up with umbrellas at Dean’s door and walked her over to DiDomenicis’ house. Unnerved by thunder and lightning, Dean was not planning to set foot out the door that night, DiDomenicis recalls. That is, until her friends stopped by for support and escort.
Only one time since the series debuted in September 2004 has the group missed a night of viewing – and only because some were sick.
"Our housewives parties come first,"
Carmichael said.
Fillius has been known to miss christenings and parties for the weekly girls night out. She, Carmichael, Gianguilio, DiDomenicis, Gahagan and Dean are the diehards who, without fail, always show. Bartolomeo and Huhnken aren’t quite as religious with their attendance.
WHEN FILLIUS FIRST learned about the show several months before its debut, she suggested the friends turn it into a weekly affair.
DiDomenicis hosted the premiere episode at her house on the 1300 block of Porter Street. Now in its second season, "Desperate Housewives" was ranked second behind "CSI" for the week of Oct. 17 to 23, according to the Nielsen ratings. >Some can’t wait to see what sexy getup Gabrielle Solis, played by Eva Longoria, will wear to prison to visit husband Carlos. Others want to see if Lynette Scavo, played by Emmy-winner Felicity Huffman, will have a nervous breakdown after her return to full-time work after years as a stay-at-home mom.
"No matter how juicy the show gets, our lives are better than theirs," Fillius said.
The women meet at 8 p.m., covered dishes in hand. One night, Gahagan left her house wearing oven mitts, carrying her apple crisp in its baking dish. She arrived at Fillius’ house to a roar of laughter and her hostess quipping, "Why didn’t you just use my oven?" That night when she left, the girls teased, "Don’t forget your mitts. It’s cold outside!"
Food plays a pivotal role in the Sunday night festivities. Usually it’s potluck, but toward the end of last season, theme nights became popular: Italian, Chinese and ice cream sundaes. They even had a pajama party with waffles and ice cream.
"Every week we like to outdo each other on what food to bring," Carmichael said.
From 8 to 10 p.m., family members are banned from the room.
"Kids or husbands are not allowed in the housewives party. The kids have to stay in the basement and my husband upstairs," Carmichael said with a laugh.
"We don’t let our kids eat the food until after the show. Sometimes it’s hard because they smell something baking. I can’t believe what we do to our kids," Gianguilio added.
By force of habit more than anything else, the girls take the same positions each week – Carmichael and Gahagan on the floor, the rest sprawled on couches and chairs behind them. And the cardinal rule: Absolutely no talking during the show.
"Noooo!" they all agree.
Gianguilio is "in charge of the remote" and mutes all commercials, allowing for banter.
"She’s the toughest one in the group," Fillius said when asked why the technical duties fell to Gianguilio.
When the show ends, the women discuss what happened.
"We catch up on our own lives, too. How our week was. We talk about our husbands, our children. Just girl talk," Carmichael said.
At the core – and just like the women of Wisteria Lane – these ladies are neighbors and good friends. Their families socialize at barbecues and on group vacations. Their children play together. The women are even part of the town watch group Claws of Justice.
"I can call up anybody and they’d be there for me," says DiDomenicis of her pals.
The friends celebrated the final episode of last season by dressing up and going to dinner at Scannicchios, 2500 S. Broad St.
"We ordered Champagne and celebrated the end of the year. We just really enjoy [the show]. It’s a time for just ourselves," Carmichael said.
"We like the show, don’t get me wrong, but we like getting together even more," Gahagan added.
Many in the group think this season is a little "slow" compared to last.
"Last year there was suspense right from the beginning. This year they are more filling you in, explaining what happened last year," Gianguilio said.
They also agree they all hate Teri Hatcher’s Susan because she does too many stupid things, according to the group’s members.
"I think it’s because we hate Susan so much that we like Edie," Fillius said, referring to the character played by Nicollette Sheridan.
Most named Gabrielle as their favorite housewife.
"When Gabrielle wore leopard shoes the first episode, I knew this was the show for me," Carmichael said with a laugh.
