Parents' Guide to

Desperate Housewives

By Kate Pavao, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Desperately addictive, but majorly mature -- not for kids.

TV ABC Drama 2004
Desperate Housewives Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 14+

Based on 10 parent reviews

Emjet
Emjet Adult
January 30, 2022
age 13+

Great show, very funny, lots of sex in the first seasons

I started watching this show when I was 12 and I have to say, I enjoyed the show a lot, though the sex scenes where too much for me until I was 13. 13 and up can appreciate the shows, though with 14 it is even better. It depends on how mature the teen is though as of 12 it is acceptable in my eyes, if they are mature enough. I wouldn't start earlier though

This title has:

Too much sex
-Tangomango
-Tangomango Parent of 10-year-old
January 9, 2022
age 16+

Good show but not for kids

The show Is very addictive. It's a great show I love watching it. I really don't recommend letting your kids watch it though. this show shows a lot of sex and has adult topics that are not suitable for children. I find Susan seducing Mike and Bri finding herself drunk at a bar. Carlos cheating on his wife with their maid the point is it features topics much to mature for children under 15 or 16 years of age

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 10 parent reviews

What's the Story?

The highly addictive, Emmy-winning DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES centers on the women of Wisteria Lane and their struggles to cope with suburban life. Narrated by the main characters' friend Mary Alice (Brenda Strong) -- who killed herself in the show's first episode -- the story follows the many twists and turns in the lives of Susan (Teri Hatcher), Bree (Marcia Cross), Lynette (Felicity Huffman), and Gaby (Eva Longoria). Amid the standard soap opera plot elements (affairs, addictions, cover-ups), each season features a central mystery that ends up impacting most of the characters and their families.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (10 ):
Kids say (37 ):

The show's stars give great comedic performances, and there are plenty of outrageous moments (klutzy Susan getting covered in cremated ashes, for example). Something positive can also be gleaned from the women's friendships with one another and from the show's examination -- however extreme -- of the complicated lives that women lead.

But it should be stressed that this is adult fare. In the first season alone, viewers were treated to Gabrielle's sexual relationship with a minor, Lynette's dependence on Ritalin, Bree's husband's S&M fetish, a naked nanny, a suicide, a hit-and-run with no consequences, and a grizzly strangulation. And things have only gotten more complicated -- and eyebrow-raising -- since.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the main characters. Are they positive or negative role models? How are they stereotypical -- and how do they defy those stereotypes? How do they get power in their lives? What do they get from each other?

  • The teen characters on the show -- who have been shown drinking, doing drugs, having sex with adults, lying to parents, and more -- also warrant some discussion. Is their behavior realistic? How should their parents respond when they catch them in the act?

  • What kinds of consequences would the behavior on the show have in real life?

TV Details

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