Common Sense Media Review
By Kate Pavao
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Desperately addictive soap has drinking, drugs, sex.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Desperate Housewives
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 11 parent reviews
Based on 35 kid reviews
Kids say this show is highly addictive and engaging with gripping storylines, relatable characters, and a mix of drama and humor, making it a hit among teens and adults alike. However, reviews caution that its mature themes, including violence, sexual content, and suggestive dialogue, may not be suitable for younger viewers, emphasizing the importance of maturity and parental discretion when deciding to watch it.
- addictive storytelling
- mature themes
- parental discretion
- relatable characters
- not for young viewers
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
The highly watchable, 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 kills 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 Gabrielle (Eva Longoria). Amid the standard soap opera plots, including affairs, addictions, and cover-ups, each season has a central mystery that impacts most of the characters and their families.
Is It Any Good?
With its great comedic performances and outrageous moments—Susan getting covered in cremated ashes, for example—this show is iconic for a reason. Better yet, Desperate Housewives underpins its entertaining, soapy elements with a rock-solid foundation of female friendship. There are arguments, even fistfights, but the core women all lean on one another. Still, it should be noted that this is adult fare: In the first season alone, viewers confront suicide, Gabrielle's sexual relationship with a minor, Lynette's dependence on a child's prescription pills, a husband's S&M fetish, a hit-and-run with no consequences, and a grisly strangulation. Storylines about sex, violence, and drinking only get more eyebrow-raising as the series goes along. But at the right maturity level, this aughts-era phenomenon is still worth the visit to Wisteria Lane.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether the main characters of Desperate Housewives are positive or negative role models. What are some of their strengths, if any? Do they demonstrate teamwork, self-control, or empathy?
The series has been both praised and criticized for how it depicts women's roles in marriage, motherhood, and friendship. Do you think the show challenges or reinforces traditional gender expectations?
The teens on the show—who drink, use drugs, have sex, and lie to their parents—warrant some discussion. Is their behavior realistic? How should parents respond when they catch their teens making questionable decisions? What kinds of consequences would their behavior have in real life?
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 3, 2004
- Cast : Eva Longoria , Felicity Huffman , Marcia Cross , Teri Hatcher
- Network : ABC
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Family Stories , Friendship
- TV rating :
- Awards : Emmy - Emmy Award Winner , Emmy - Emmy Award Nominee , Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Winner , Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Nominee , NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : August 19, 2026
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate