Susan Mayer

While developing the series, Desperate Housewives creator Marc Cherry envisioned Susan as a girl next door and chose her to convey this image.[//www.youtube.com/watch?v=pH4yOwp7dlM ABC.com's "Ask Desperate Housewives: Season 5, Part 3"]. YouTube. February 21, 2009. Retrieved December 21, 2009. In the original pilot, the character's surname was spelled "Meyer" but had to be changed to "Mayer" for clearance purposes.Touchstone Television, p. 175 Cherry commented, "I knew Susan was going to be my anchor character, and I didn't really know my take on her at first. And then it occurred to me that one of these women should be divorced ... I thought there was something so real about a woman saying, 'I don't have much time left,' and when this available hunky guy moves onto the street, something in her saying 'Let me at him'".Touchstone Television, p. 15 The character is a compendium of single mothers in Cherry's life "desperate to land a man".[https://archive.today/20130205165959/http://www.tv.com/video/21500/desperate-housewives--creator-marc-cherrys-inspirations "Desperate Housewives Creator Marc Cherry's Inspirations"]. TV.com. Retrieved December 21, 2009. He also drew upon his own personal experiences while creating the character.Lyford, Kathy (September 28, 2008). [http://weblogs.variety.com/season_pass/2008/09/desperate-hou-1.html "Desperate Housewives: 'The truth about my gals in the suburbs'"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080930203728/http://weblogs.variety.com/season_pass/2008/09/desperate-hou-1.html |date=2008-09-30 }}. Magazine. Retrieved December 23, 2009.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus expressed interest in the role, but ABC executives felt she was not right for the part.Sassone, Bob (May 4, 2006). [http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/05/04/desperate-networks-is-a-must-read-for-tv-fans/ "Desperate Networks is a must-read for TV fans"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110226031819/http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/05/04/desperate-networks-is-a-must-read-for-tv-fans |date=2011-02-26 }}. TV Squad. Retrieved February 13, 2011. Actors considered for the role include Courteney Cox,[http://television.aol.com/photos/tv-star-castings "Coulda Been a Contender"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090117071408/http://television.aol.com/photos/tv-star-castings |date=2009-01-17 }}, slide 7 of 14. AOL Television. Retrieved December 21, 2009. Calista Flockhart,Porter, C. Joan (December 1, 2009).[http://entertainment.ca.msn.com/celebs/photos/gallery.aspx?cp-documentid=22770740&page=10 "Celebrity Yearbook – Calista Flockhart"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091205031859/http://entertainment.ca.msn.com/celebs/photos/gallery.aspx?cp-documentid=22770740 |date=2009-12-05 }}. MSN Entertainment. Retrieved December 21, 2009. Heather Locklear, Mary-Louise Parker,Ryan, Kyle (June 17, 2009). [https://web.archive.org/web/20090619154425/http://www.avclub.com/articles/marylouise-parker,29213/ "Mary-Louise Parker"]. The A.V. Club. Retrieved December 21, 2009. and Sela Ward.[https://web.archive.org/web/20080320042338/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1090194,00.html "Sela Ward: I Could Have Been a Housewife]. People. August 4, 2005. Retrieved December 21, 2009. Cherry wrote the part with Parker in mind,[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXYk3TARnmw ABC.com's "Ask Desperate Housewives: Season 6, Part 12"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419015633/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXYk3TARnmw |date=2016-04-19 }}. YouTube. May 4, 2010. Retrieved May 9, 2010.Touchstone Television, p. 20 but she rejected the offer, later explaining "it just didn’t feel like I was gonna {{sic}} serve it as well as someone else might". Teri Hatcher auditioned for the role in January 2004 and impressed Cherry immediately.{{cite web|last=Gliatto|first=Tom|author-link=Tom Gliatto|date=February 14, 2005|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20146832,00.html|title=Teri Hatcher: A Star Is Reborn|work=People|access-date=December 21, 2009|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303185650/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20146832,00.html|url-status=live}} After a second audition, Hatcher read for the role in front of network executives. Cherry praised her performance, saying "it was the best audition I've ever seen in network". Hatcher later commented, "I don't think they were hot to hire me for Susan ... I was maybe on a B-list, certainly not an A-list".[http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/tv/teri-hatcher-wants-to-grow-old-with-desperate-housewives/story-e6frf9ho-1225844800336 "Teri Hatcher wants to grow old with Desperate Housewives"]. Herald Sun. March 24, 2010. Retrieved June 24, 2010. Despite her reservations, Hatcher was the third reported cast member to have been cast in the series on February 18, 2004.[http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=6421 "Development Update: February 18"]. The Futon Critic. February 18, 2004. Retrieved December 21, 2009.

{{Quote box

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|quote =  ...[I]t was common knowledge on Wisteria Lane [that] where Susan Mayer went, bad luck was sure to follow. Her misfortunes ranged from the commonplace, to the unusual, to the truly bizarre.

|source = Mary Alice Young"Come In, Stranger". Arlene Sanford (director), Alexandra Cunningham (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. October 31, 2004. Season 1, no. 5.

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Susan is primarily characterized as the girl next door. Teri Hatcher stated "I’m not exactly her, but I get her. I get her insecurities, her flaws.""The Women of Desperate Housewives". E! True Hollywood Story. E!. September 25, 2005. She called the character "a great representation of what [everyone] deals with daily. Our responsibilities can be overwhelming and things often don't go as you planned, so you have to roll with it. Susan celebrates rolling with it".Touchstone Television, p. 21 She is a hopeless romantic and often expresses her feelings more openly and vulnerably than the other characters in the series.Touchstone Television, pp. 15-18.Olsen, Richard K., Julie W. Morgan. "Desperate for Redemption? Desperate Housewives as Redemptive Media". Journal of Popular Culture, 43.2 (April 2010). 330. Retrieved July 2, 2010. The series begins a year after Susan's first divorce, when she is still emotionally raw. Throughout the series, several other characters have confronted Susan about her inability to live happily and without drama."There Won't Be Trumpets". Jeff Melman (director), John Pardee (writer), Joey Murphy (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. April 3, 2005. Season 1, no. 17."No One Is Alone". David Grossman, Kevin Murphy (writer), Chris Black (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. May 14, 2006. Season 2, no. 22."Into the Woods". David Grossman (director), Alexandra Cunningham (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. May 6, 2007. Season 3, no. 21. Susan has a close relationship with her daughter, Julie (Andrea Bowen), who often acts as the parent figure in the relationship."Come Back to Me". Fred Gerber (director), Patty Lin (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. December 19, 2004. Season 1, no. 10.

Susan's accident-proneness is commonly used throughout the series to provide comic relief.[https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/reviews/2004-09-30-desperate-housewives_x.htm "Housewives has the recipe for a bubbly evening soap"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628203056/http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/reviews/2004-09-30-desperate-housewives_x.htm |date=2011-06-28 }}. USA Today. Retrieved December 23, 2009.Goldblatt, Henry (October 21, 2005). [https://web.archive.org/web/20070121035346/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1120827,00.html Desperate Housewives TV review]. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 23, 2017. Her susceptibility to bad luck and embarrassing situations have created some of the series' most memorable moments, including accidentally burning down Edie's house and being locked out of her own house completely naked."Pilot". Charles McDougall (director), Marc Cherry (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. October 3, 2004. Season 1, no. 1."Pretty Little Picture". Arlene Sanford (director). Oliver Goldstick (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. October 17, 2004. Season 1, no. 3. Susan's poor cooking skills have also become a running gag in the series."The Miracle Song". Larry Shaw (director), Bob Daily (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. November 26, 2008. Season 3, no. 10."If There's Anything I Can't Stand". Larry Shaw (director), Alexandra Cunningham (writer), Lori Kirkland Baker (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. October 21, 2007. David Warren (director), Dave Flebotte (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. April 26, 2009. Season 5, no. 20.

File:MayerFamily.jpg

Susan Bremmer was born in 1967She told Carol Prudy in 2005 that she is 38 years old: season 2 episode 10 and was raised by single mother Sophie Bremmer (Lesley Ann Warren),Season 1 episode 18 who told her that her father was a member of the United States Merchant Marine who had died in the Battle of Hanoi during the Vietnam War.Season 2 episode 10 She was a cheerleader in high schoolSeason 3 episode 17 and graduated as valedictorian of her class. She graduated from community college with an art degree.Season 4 episode 5 Eventually, Susan began writing and illustrating children's books, the first of which was Ants in My Picnic Basket.

In 1989 Susan married Karl Mayer (Richard Burgi) after two months of dating, and in 1990 gave birth to their daughter, Julie. In 1992, the family moved to Wisteria Lane in Fairview, Eagle State, where Susan quickly befriends Mary Alice Young (Brenda Strong), her new neighbor.Season 2 episode 23 Susan became close friends with Katherine Davis (Dana Delany),Season 4 episode 1Season 4 episode 2Season 4 episode 17 Bree Van de Kamp (Marcia Cross) in 1994, however Katherine had to move out one year later. Still, she gained friends in Lynette Scavo (Felicity Huffman) in 1998, and Gabrielle Solis (Eva Longoria) in 2003 when they move to Wisteria Lane.Season 5 episode 13 In 2003, Karl had an affair with his secretary, Brandi (Anne Dudek), and ended up falling for her, leaving Susan and abandoning Julie.Season 1 episode 1 The two divorced and agreed to share custody of Julie, although the court ruled that Julie would be living with her mother.Season 1 episode 2

One year after the divorce, Susan has started to consider dating again, even if that means dating someone who makes fun of her cooking. Susan takes an interest in Mike Delfino (James Denton), a plumber she meets at Mary Alice’s wake, who tells her he has recently moved in the neighborhood, renting the Simms’ house. Susan soon begins dating Mike, despite competing with realtor Edie Britt (Nicollette Sheridan) for his affection. Meanwhile, Susan begins investigating Mary Alice's suicide after she and her friends discover a blackmail letter while putting away her belongings, one week after her funeral. Later, Susan discovers that Mary Alice's husband, Paul (Mark Moses), had their son, Zach (Cody Kasch), committed to a youth mental institution after he broke into the Van de Kamps’ house and decorated it for Christmas,"Running to Stand Still". Fred Gerber (director), Tracey Stern (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. November 7, 2004. Season 1, no. 6. Julie begins corresponding with Zach without Susan's knowledge and hides him in her room when he escapes from the institution. When Susan finds Zach in her home, she and Mike return him to Paul; however, Julie and Zach begin dating."Your Fault". Arlene Sanford (director), Kevin Etten (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. January 23, 2005. Season 1, no. 13. Paul fabricates unconvincing lies to thwart Susan's efforts to discover his family's secrets too."Fear No More". Jeff Melman (director), Adam Barr (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. May 1, 2005. Season 1, no. 20.

As her relationship with Mike progresses, Susan becomes suspicious of his past, especially when she finds a gun and large sums of money in his kitchen cabinet."Suspicious Minds". Larry Shaw (director), Jenna Bans (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. December 12, 2004. Season 1, no. 9. Additionally, evidence connecting Mike to the recent murder of a Wisteria Lane resident, Martha Huber (Christine Estabrook), surfaces."Love is in the Air". Jeff Melman (director), Tom Spezialy (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. February 13, 2005. Season 1, no. 14. Susan ends the relationship when police inform her that Mike was convicted of manslaughter and drug trafficking."Impossible". Larry Shaw (director), Marc Cherry (writer), Tom Spezialy (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. February 20, 2005. Season 1, no. 15. However, Susan learns the murder was accidental and the two renew their relationship, with Mike deciding to move in with Susan."Sunday in the Park with George". Larry Shaw (director), Katie Ford (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. May 8, 2005. Season 1, no. 21."Goodbye for Now". David Grossman (director), Josh Senter (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. May 15, 2005. Season 1, no. 22. While Mike is away on business, Susan finds Zach, armed with a handgun, in Mike's house. He vows to kill Mike when he comes home as he believes Mike killed Paul."One Wonderful Day". Larry Shaw (director), John Pardee (writer), Joey Murphy (writer), Marc Cherry (writer), Tom Spezialy (writer), Kevin Murphy (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. May 22, 2005. Season 1, no. 23.

When Mike arrives home, Zach's murder scheme backfires and he runs away. Mike informs Susan that he recently learned that Zach is his biological son."Next". Larry Shaw (director), Jenna Bans (writer), Kevin Murphy (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. September 25, 2005. Season 2, no. 1. Susan agrees to help Mike search for Zach and finds him in a nearby park. When Zach expresses hope of rekindling his romance with Julie, she gives him money to look for Paul in Utah."My Heart Belongs to Daddy". Robert Duncan McNeill (director), John Pardee (writer), Joey Murphy (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. October 16, 2005. Season 2, no. 4. When Mike finds out about her betrayal, he ends their relationship."I Wish I Could Forget You". Larry Shaw (director), Kevin Etten (writer), Josh Senter (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. November 6, 2005. Season 2, no. 6. Susan decides to write an autobiography following the break-up. While researching her father, she learns that her mother lied and her father is local business owner Addison Prudy (Paul Dooley)."The Sun Won't Set". Stephen Cragg (director), Jenna Bans (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. November 20, 2005. Season 2, no. 8. She tries to establish a relationship with her reluctant father, but her attempts are effectively unsuccessful."Coming Home". Arlene Sanford (director), Chris Black (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. December 4, 2005. Season 2, no. 10.

Meanwhile, Susan is dismayed to learn that Karl has moved in with Edie."You Could Drive a Person Crazy". David Grossman (director), Chris Black, Alexandra Cunningham (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. October 2, 2005. Season 2, no. 2. She begins dating her doctor, Ron McCready (Jay Harrington), who informs her that she has a wandering spleen and will need a splenectomy."We're Gonna Be All Right". David Grossman (director), Alexandra Cunningham (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. January 15, 2006. Season 2, no. 12."There's Something About a War". Larry Shaw (director), Kevin Etten (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. January 22, 2006. When Susan learns that her health insurance will not cover the operation, Karl offers to temporarily remarry her long enough for her to be eligible for his medical benefits. They agree to keep their sham marriage a secret from Edie and Ron."Silly People". Robert Duncan McNeill (director), Tom Spezialy (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. February 12, 2006. Season 2, no. 14. While under anesthesia before her operation, Susan professes her love for Mike to Ron,"There Is No Other Way". Randy Zisk (director), Bruce Zimmerman (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. March 12, 2006. Season 2, no. 16. which prompts Ron to break up with her."Could I Leave You?". Pam Thomas (director), Scott Sanford Tobis (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. March 26, 2006. Season 2, no. 17. Soon after, Karl leaves Edie, as his love for Susan has resurfaced."It Wasn't Meant to Happen". Larry Shaw (director), Marc Cherry (writer), Tom Spezialy (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. April 30, 2006. Season 2, no. 20. Upon learning that Susan is the other woman, Edie intentionally burns down Susan's house."I Know Things Now". Wendey Stanzler (director), Kevin Etten (writer), Bruce Zimmerman (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. May 7, 2006. Season 2, no. 21. In this time of need, both Mike and Karl vie for Susan's affections. She chooses to rekindle her relationship with Mike and Karl signs the divorce papers. Susan and Mike then make plans to meet for dinner at nearby Torch Lake, where Mike plans to propose. On his way to dinner, Mike gets run over by Orson Hodge (Kyle MacLachlan),"Remember (Part II)". Larry Shaw (director), Marc Cherry (writer), Jenna Bans (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. May 21, 2006. Season 2, no. 24. a dentist whom Susan had recently befriended, and is left in a coma."Don't Look at Me". David Grossman (director), Josh Senter (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. April 16, 2006. Season 2, no. 19.

File:SusanMikeWedding.jpg

Season 3 opens six months after the hit-and-run on Mike."Listen to the Rain on the Roof". Larry Shaw (director), Marc Cherry (writer), Jeff Greenstein (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. September 24, 2006. Season 3, no. 1. While waiting for him to wake up, Susan reluctantly enters a relationship with Ian Hainsworth (Dougray Scott), a British man whose wife Jane (Cecily Gambrell) has been in a coma for years."It Takes Two". David Grossman (director), Kevin Murphy (writer), Jenna Bans (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. October 1, 2006. Season 3, no. 2. When Mike finally awakens, doctors conclude that he now suffers from retrograde amnesia. Unfortunately, Susan is out of town with Ian when Mike wakes up. Edie takes advantage of this to move in on Mike and claim that Susan was horrible to him during their relationship."Like It Was". Larry Shaw (director), John Pardee (writer), Joey Murphy (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. October 15, 2006. Season 3, no. 4. Mike turns Susan away when she returns to Fairview."Nice She Ain't". David Warren (director), Alexandra Cunningham (writer), Susan Nirah Jaffee (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. October 22, 2006. Season 3, no. 5. Having lost hope, Susan continues her romance with Ian."Sweetheart, I Have to Confess". David Grossman, Dahvi Waller (writer), Josh Senter (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. October 29, 2006. Season 3, no. 6. Meanwhile, Susan is suspicious of Orson, who has married Bree after a six month relationship and is alleged to have killed his missing ex-wife, Alma (Valerie Mahaffey). When Mike is arrested for the murder of Monique Polier (Kathleen York), Orson's former mistress, Edie breaks up with him, leaving him without bail."No Fits, No Fights, No Feuds". Sanaa Hamri (director), Alexandra Cunningham (writer), Josh Senter (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. January 7, 2007. Season 3, no. 11. Susan defends Mike, which frustrates Ian. He reluctantly agrees to pay for Mike's bail if Susan breaks off all contact with him. Mike is eventually exonerated for the crime."Come Play Wiz Me". Larry Shaw (director), Valerie Ahern (writer), Christian McLaughlin (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. January 21, 2007. Season 3, no. 13. Following Jane's death, Susan accepts Ian's marriage proposal."The Little Things You Do Together". David Grossman (director), Marc Cherry (writer), Joe Keenan (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. Season 3, ep. 15.

As Mike slowly regains his memory, he recalls his feelings for Susan and challenges Ian for her affections."My Husband, the Pig". Larry Shaw (director), Brian A. Alexander (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. March 4, 2007. Season 3, no. 16."Liaisons". David Grossman (director), Alexandra Cunningham (writer), Jenna Bans (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. Season 3, no. 18. When Susan learns that the two had made a bet on her in a game of poker, she calls off the wedding and declares that she does not want to see either of them again."God, That's Good". Larry Shaw (director), Dahvi Waller (writer), Josh Senter (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. April 22, 2007. Season 3, no. 19. Realizing that letting both of them go is a mistake, Susan decides to take Ian back. However, he tells her that he cannot spend the rest of his life wondering if she is still in love with Mike, and he leaves."Gossip". Wendey Stanzler (director), John Pardee (writer), Joey Murphy (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. April 29, 2006. Season 3, no. 20. Susan and Mike reunite and become engaged."What Would We Do Without You?". Larry Shaw (director), Bob Daily (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. May 13, 2007. Season 3, no. 22. The couple get married in a private ceremony in the woods, with Julie as their only guest."Getting Married Today". David Grossman (director), Joe Keenan (writer), Kevin Murphy (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. May 20, 2007. Season 3, no. 23.

In the fourth season premiere, one month after her wedding, Susan learns that she is pregnant."Now You Know". Larry Shaw (director), Marc Cherry (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. September 30, 2007. Season 4, no. 1. While looking into their medical histories for the baby's interest, Mike is forced to admit to Susan that he lied about his father being dead. Susan visits Mike's father, Nick (Robert Forster), who is in jail for murder. Nick warns Susan that Mike is still troubled by demons of his past."Now I Know, Don't Be Scared". Larry Shaw (director), Susan Nirah Jaffee (writer), Dahvi Waller (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. November 4, 2007. Season 4, no. 6. With the stress of finances for the baby, Mike begins working overtime, despite an injury resulting from the hit-and-run over a year ago. He begins relying heavily on painkillers."You Can't Judge a Book By Its Cover". David Warren (director), Chuck Ranberg (writer), Anne Flett-Giordano (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. November 11, 2007. Season 4, no. 7. Susan confronts Mike about his addiction, threatening to leave him if he does not enter rehab; he agrees to admit himself."Something's Coming". David Grossman (director), Joey Murphy (writer), John Pardee (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. December 2, 2007. Season 4, no. 9. After a devastating tornado hits Wisteria Lane, Bree, Orson, and their newborn grandson, Benjamin, move into Susan's house temporarily."Welcome to Kanagawa". Larry Shaw (director), Jamie Gorenberg (writer), Jordon Nardino (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. January 6, 2008. Season 4, no. 10. During his stay, Orson develops a sleep walking habit and unconsciously admits to running over Mike with his car."In Buddy's Eyes". Larry Shaw (director), Jeff Greenstein (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. April 20, 2008. Season 4, no. 12. Susan feels extremely betrayed and Bree, unable to forgive Orson, asks him to move out."Hello, Little Girl". Bethany Rooney (director), Susan Nirah Jaffee (writer), Jamie Gorenberg (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. April 27, 2008. Season 4, no. 13. Shortly after, Susan gives birth to a boy,"Mother Said". David Warren (director), Chuck Ranberg (writer), Anne Flett-Giordano (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. May 11, 2008. Season 4, no. 15. whom she names Maynard, after Mike's deceased grandfather."The Gun Song". Bethany Rooney (director), Bob Daily (writer), Matt Berry (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. May 18, 2008. Season 4, no. 16.

In the five years that take place between seasons four and five, Susan and Mike get into a vehicular collision with another car. Although Susan and Mike survive, the occupants of the other car, Lila Dash (Marie Caldare) and her daughter Paige (Madeleine Michelle Dunn), are killed."You're Gonna Love Tomorrow". Larry Shaw (director), Marc Cherry (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. September 28, 2008. Season 5, no. 1. Although Susan was driving, Mike takes the blame, as Susan did not have her license with her at the time."Rose's Turn". David Warren (director), Dave Flebotte (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. April 26, 2009. Season 5, no. 20. Susan feels incredibly guilty for taking the lives of Lila and Paige, but Mike insists it was not their fault. The argument over the topic becomes so great that it results in divorce."Mirror, Mirror". David Grossman (director), Jeff Greenstein (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. October 26, 2008. Season 5, no. 5. Giving up on love, Susan engages in a casual relationship with her house painter, Jackson Braddock (Gale Harold).

While Susan manages to keep her relationship with Jackson a secret from her friends and her son, nicknamed M.J., Jackson seeks a deeper connection with her. Soon enough, Mike and M.J. learn about the relationship."We're So Happy You're So Happy". David Grossman (director), Alexandra Cunningham (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. October 5, 2008. Season 5, no. 2. Jackson makes the sudden announcement that he is moving to nearby Riverton for work and asks Susan to come with him."Home is the Place". David Grossman (director), Jamie Gorenberg (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. January 4, 2010. Season 5, no. 11. After much consideration, Susan decides that she is unsure of what she wants and turns down Jackson's offer."Connect! Connect!". Ken Whittingham (director), Jordon Nardino (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. January 11, 2009. Season 5, no. 12. Also, Mike moves across the street from Susan and begins dating her close friend and neighbor, Katherine Mayfair (Dana Delany)."Back in Business". Scott Ellis (director), John Pardee (writer), Joey Murphy (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. October 19, 2008. Season 5, no. 4."Me and My Town". David Warren (director), Lori Kirkland Baker (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. November 30, 2008. Season 5, no. 9. Realizing she cannot keep Mike from being happy, she gives the couple her blessing, despite still feeling uncomfortable. Susan and Mike decide to enroll M.J. in private school, and Susan takes a job as an assistant art teacher at the school to help pay for the tuition."Mama Spent Money When She Had None". David Warren (director), Jason Ganzel (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. February 8, 2009. Season 5, no. 14. With both Susan and Mike employed, M.J. spends more time under Katherine's care, which makes Susan uneasy. She is heartbroken to learn that Mike and Katherine have decided to move in with one another and become engaged."In a World Where the Kings Are Employers". David Grossman (director), Lori Kirkland Baker (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. February 15, 2009. Season 5, no. 15."Marry Me a Little". Larry Shaw (director), Jason Ganzel (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. May 3, 2009. Season 5, no. 22.

Susan attempts to console Edie's husband, Dave Williams (Neal McDonough), following Edie's death. She explains the truth behind her own accident, completely unaware that Lila and Paige Dash were Dave's wife and daughter, respectively, and that he has been seeking revenge on Mike since moving to Wisteria Lane. Meanwhile, Jackson returns to Fairview and proposes to Susan, revealing that his visa has expired and he needs to marry an American citizen."Bargaining". David Grossman (director), David Schladweiler (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. May 3, 2010. Season 5, no. 21. When Susan learns that Mike, who is engaged to Katherine, will no longer have to pay alimony once she is married, she explains the false pretenses of her engagement. Dave, who now understands that Susan was driving the car that killed his family, overhears this and reports Jackson to immigration officials. With Jackson out of the picture, Dave invites Susan and M.J. on a fishing trip,"Everybody Says Don't". Bethany Rooney (director), John Pardee (writer), Joey Murphy (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. May 17, 2009. Season 5, no. 23. planning to kill M.J. just like Susan killed his own child."If It's Only In Your Head". David Grossman (director), Jeffrey Richman (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. May 17, 2009. Season 5, no. 24. Mike discovers Dave's plans and is able to save Susan and M.J. After the ordeal, Susan and Mike share a brief, yet romantic kiss. Dave is sent to a psychiatric hospital in Boston and two months later, Mike marries an unidentified bride.Strause, Jackie (May 18, 2009). [https://archive.today/20120526101824/http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/tvblog/item_OAipnnTSkUQGSYKXN791oK "Mike Delfino's Mystery Bride"]. New York Post. Retrieved December 27, 2009.Dos Santos, Kristin (July 8, 2009). [http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b133036_desperate_housewives_whos_under_veil.html "Desperate Housewives: Who's Under the Veil?"]. E! Online. Retrieved December 27, 2009.

Susan is identified as Mike's bride in the sixth season premiere."Nice is Different Than Good". Larry Shaw (director), Marc Cherry (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. September 27, 2009. Season 6, no. 1.Stransky, Tanner. [https://web.archive.org/web/20091002012845/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20308515,00.html "Desperate Housewives recap: Wedding Crasher"]. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 11, 2010. Her marriage to Mike destroys her friendship with Katherine. The night after the wedding, Julie is strangled outside of Susan's home. Julie slips into a coma following her attack."Being Alive". David Grossman (director), Matt Berry (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. October 4, 2009. Season 6, no. 2. While waiting for her to awaken, Susan learns from Andrew that Julie has dropped out of medical school, was involved with a married man (revealed to be Angie Bolen's husband Nick), and had a pregnancy scare before her attack."The God-Why-Don't-You-Love-Me Blues". David Warren (director), Alexandra Cunningham (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. October 18, 2009. Season 6, no. 4. When Julie awakens, she refuses to identify the married man she was seeing. Later in the season, Julie's attacker is revealed to be Eddie Orlofsky (Josh Zuckerman), a local young adult who is also responsible for a handful of murders in Fairview."Epiphany". David Grossman (director), Marc Cherry (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. April 25, 2010. Season 6, no. 20."We All Deserve to Die". Larry Shaw (director), Josann McGibbon (writer), Sara Parriott (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. April 18, 2010. Season 6, no. 19. Prior to the attack, Susan had taken Eddie on as an art student and he developed a crush on her. When he discovered that she was remarrying Mike and that she did not see him as a romantic suitor, he attacked Julie, mistaking her for Susan.

Katherine continues to pursue Mike, believing that he is still in love with her."Everybody Ought to Have a Maid". Larry Shaw (director), Jamie Gorenberg (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. October 25, 2009. Season 6, no. 5. Mike warns her to leave his family alone and claims he never truly loved her. After he leaves, Katherine calls the police and stabs herself with a knife with Mike's fingerprints on it, framing him."Would I Think of Suicide?". Ken Whittingham (director), Jason Ganzel (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. November 29, 2009. Season 6, no. 9. Susan, realizing that Katherine has suffered a total nervous breakdown, calls Katherine's adopted daughter, Dylan (Lyndsy Fonseca), who comes to town and has her mother committed for psychiatric observation."Boom Crunch". David Grossman (director), Joey Murphy (writer), John Pardee (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. December 6, 2009. Season 6, no. 10. Susan later forgives Katherine once she recovers from her breakdown."How About a Friendly Shrink?. Lonny Price (director), Jason Ganzel (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. January 17, 2010. Season 6, no. 13. Soon after, Mike reveals that he has accumulated an immense debt in the past year."Chromolume No. 7". Lonny Price (director), Marco Pennette (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. March 14, 2010. Season 6, no. 17."A Little Night Music". David Warren (director), Matt Berry (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. May 2, 2010. Season 6, no. 21. Unable to balance their debt, Susan and Mike decide to move off Wisteria Lane and rent their house out temporarily."The Ballad of Booth". Larry Shaw (director), Bob Daily (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. May 9, 2010. Season 6, no. 22. They move into an apartment across town while Paul Young rents their house on Wisteria Lane."I Guess This is Goodbye". David Grossman (director), Alexandra Cunningham (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. May 16, 2010. Season 6, no. 23.

Susan accepts an offer from her landlady, Maxine Rosen (Lainie Kazan), to appear on a website in which she does housework in her lingerie in order to make ends meet, though she keeps her new job a secret from her friends and family."Remember Paul?". David Grossman (director), Marc Cherry (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. September 26, 2010. Season 7, no. 1. Soon after, Maxine's site is merged with a larger company that uses Susan's image to advertise the website on billboards across the country. Susan pays the company $9,000 to have the billboards removed."The Thing That Counts is What's Inside". David Grossman (director), Jason Ganzel (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. October 17, 2010. Season 7, no. 4. As a result, she begins working for the website's video chatting services to earn back the money. Paul discovers her secret and threatens to expose it unless she sells him her home, in which he now lives with his second wife, Beth (Emily Bergl)."Let Me Entertain You". Lonny Price (director), Sara Parriott (writer), Joasann McGibbon (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. October 24, 2010. Season 7, no. 5. Hoping to derail Paul's blackmail scheme, Susan tells Mike about her job on the website. Paul retaliates by spreading the word about Susan's involvement with the website, causing her to lose her teaching job. Strapped for money, Mike accepts a job on an oil rig in Alaska and Susan becomes Lynette's nanny."Excited and Scared". Jeff Greenstein (director, writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. October 31, 2010. Season 7, no. 6."A Humiliating Business". Larry Shaw (director), Marco Pennette (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. November 7, 2010. Season 7, no. 7.

After purchasing a majority of the houses on Wisteria Lane, Paul announces that he plans to open a halfway house for ex-convicts on the street. A protest against his plan escalates into a violent riot and Susan is trampled by the unruly crowd."Down the Block There's a Riot". Larry Shaw (director), Bob Daily (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. December 12, 2010. Season 7, episode 10. As a result, Susan loses a kidney and learns that her second kidney is deformed and she is at severe risk of renal failure. Susan reluctantly agrees to undergo dialysis while waiting for a transplant."Assassins". David Warren (director), John Paul Bullock III (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. January 2, 2011. Season 7, no. 11. After Paul throws her out, Beth submits paperwork indicating that in the event of her death, her kidney would be given to Susan, and then commits suicide."Searching". Larry Shaw (director), Jeff Greenstein (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. March 6, 2011. Season 7, no. 16. Despite initial refusal, Paul allows the operation to move forward and he and Susan reconcile."Everything's Different, Nothing's Changed". David Warren (director), Annie Weisman (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. April 3, 2011. Season 7, no. 17. After discovering that Paul has been depressed following Beth's suicide, Susan begins cooking meals for him with the assistance of Felicia Tilman (Harriet Sansom Harris), Beth's mother and Martha Huber's sister, who secretly adds antifreeze to the food in an effort to kill him."I'll Swallow Poison on Sunday". David Warren (director), Jason Ganzel (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. May 1, 2011. Season 7, no. 20. Paul nearly dies as a result of the poisoned food. Unaware that Felicia is helping prepare his meals, Paul has Susan arrested for attempting to kill him."Then I Really Got Scared". Larry Shaw (director), Valerie A. Brotski (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. May 8, 2011. Season 7, no. 21. Eventually, Susan is released, Paul confesses to the murder of Martha Huber, and Felicia presumably dies in a car crash while fleeing town."And Lots of Security...". David Grossman (director), Joe Keenan (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. May 15, 2011. Season 7, no. 22. Susan and her family move back onto Wisteria Lane. During a dinner party, Gabrielle's former stepfather, Alejandro (Tony Plana), who raped her during her childhood, attempts to harm Gabrielle until her husband, Carlos Solis (Ricardo Antonio Chavira) kills him. Susan, Lynette, and Bree agree to help cover up the crime."Come on Over for Dinner". Larry Shaw (director), Bob Daily (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. May 15, 2011. Season 7, no. 23.

Susan begins to withdraw from her friends and family out of guilt for having helped cover up Alejandro's death."Secrets That I Never Want to Know". David Grossman (director), Bob Daily (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. September 25, 2011. Season 8, no. 1. She bonds with Carlos over their mutual guilt."Making the Connection". Tara Nicole Weyr (director), Matt Berry (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. October 2, 2011. Season 8, no. 2. When Mike begins suspecting Susan and Carlos are having an affair, they agree to tell him the truth about the cover-up."Watch While I Revise the World". David Warren (director), John Paul Bullock III (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. October 9, 2011. Season 8, no. 3. Soon after, Susan begins taking an art class with renowned painter, Andre Zeller (Miguel Ferrer), and discovers that her guilt has given her a renewed artistic ability."School of Hard Knocks". David Grossman (director), Marco Pennette (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. October 16, 2011. Season 8, no. 4. In a series of paintings, Susan depicts the scene of Alejandro's death and subsequent burial, arousing the suspicion of Detective Chuck Vance (Jonathan Cake), Bree's embittered ex-boyfriend assigned to investigate Alejandro's disappearance."Suspicion Song". Jennifer Getzinger (director), David Schladweiler (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. November 13, 2011. Season 8, no. 8. She briefly considers moving to New York to explore new career opportunities, but ultimately decides against it."Putting It Together". David Warren (director), Sheila Lawrence (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. December 4, 2011. Season 8, no. 9. In an effort to ease her guilt, Susan visits Alejandro's wife and stepdaughter, Claudia (Justina Machado) and Marisa (Daniela Bobadilla), respectively, and write them a check to help their financial misfortune, which only arouses Claudia's suspicions."Who Can Say What's True?". Larry Shaw (director), Brian Tanen (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. January 15, 2012. Season 8, no. 11. Claudia confronts Susan and Gabrielle about Alejandro's disappearance, but agrees to stop prying after learning that he had been sexually abusing Marisa."Who Can Say What's True?". Larry Shaw (director), Brian Tanen (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. January 22, 2012. Season 8, no. 12.

In "Is This What You Call Love?", Susan learns that Julie is six months pregnant and has no relationship with the baby's father. To her dismay, Julie plans to put the child up for adoption."Is This What You Call Love?". David Grossman (director), David Schladweiler (writer), Valérie A. Brotski (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. February 12, 2012. Season 8, no. 13. When Susan discovers that Lynette's son, Porter (Max Carver), is the father, she supports his decision to raise the child himself."Get Out of My Life". James Hayman (director), Cindy Appel (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. February 19, 2012. Season 8, no. 14. In "You Take for Granted", Mike is murdered by a vengeful loan shark."You Take for Granted". Jeff Greenstein (director), Matt Berry (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. March 11, 2012. Season 8, no. 16. The final episodes of the series deal with Susan grieving and eventually moving on from Mike's death."Any Moment". Randall Zisk (director), Sheila Lawrence (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. March 25, 2012. Season 8, no. 18."With So Little to Be Sure Of". Tara Nicole Weyr (director), Marco Pennette (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. April 1, 2012. Season 8, no. 19."Lost My Power". David Grossman (director), Wendy Mericle (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. April 29, 2012. Season 8, no. 19. In the series finale, Julie gives birth to a daughter, whom she now plans on keeping. Susan sells her home on Wisteria Lane and she and M.J. move to help Julie raise the baby."Finishing the Hat. David Grossman (director), Marc Cherry (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. May 13, 2012. Season 8, no. 23.

In the first season of Desperate Housewives, the character of Susan was a critics' favorite and generally regarded as the series' most prominent role.Mayes, Tricia (September 25, 2005).[http://www.ultimatedisney.com/desperatehousewives-season1.html "Desperate Housewives: The Complete First Season DVD Review"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114184252/http://ultimatedisney.com/desperatehousewives-season1.html |date=2010-01-14 }}. Ultimate Disney. Retrieved December 28, 2009. Hatcher's portrayal as Susan received praise in the series' first year. Tim Goodman of the San Francisco Chronicle called Hatcher's performance in the pilot episode "a huge surprise," commenting that she gives "self-effacing, disheveled and sadly hopeless Susan a spirit that makes you root for her".Goodman, Tim (October 1, 2004). [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/10/01/DDG2J912UF1.DTL "Desperately hoping this take on suburban despair survives"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080228150453/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2004%2F10%2F01%2FDDG2J912UF1.DTL |date=2008-02-28 }}. San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved December 23, 2009. Robert Bianco of USA Today declared that Hatcher delivered "a revelatory performance".Bianco, Robert (September 30, 2004). [https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/reviews/2004-09-30-desperate-housewives_x.htm "Housewives has the recipe for a bubbly evening soap"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628203056/http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/reviews/2004-09-30-desperate-housewives_x.htm |date=2011-06-28 }}. USA Today. Retrieved December 23, 2009. Heather Havrilesky of Salon.com was less enthusiastic, criticizing Hatcher for overacting.Havrilesky, Heather (October 25, 2004). [http://dir.salon.com/story/ent/tv/review/2004/10/25/i_like/index2.html "I Like To Watch"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607031736/http://dir.salon.com/story/ent/tv/review/2004/10/25/i_like/index2.html |date=2011-06-07 }}. Salon.com. Retrieved December 28, 2009. In the series' second season, Susan becomes less important as Bree "comfortably moves into position as the show's lead".Wallace, Aaron (September 17, 2006). [http://www.ultimatedisney.com/desperatehousewives-season2.html "Desperate Housewives: The Complete Second Season—The Extra Juicy Edition DVD Review"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091030194145/http://www.ultimatedisney.com/desperatehousewives-season2.html |date=2009-10-30 }}. Ultimate Disney. Retrieved December 28, 2009. Many critics noted that the character suffered as a result of the declining quality of the second season. Bianco wrote that the writers were making Susan "too stupid".Bianco, Robert (October 9, 2005). [https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/reviews/2005-10-09-housewives_x.htm "Housewives is dragging desperately"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628203108/http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/reviews/2005-10-09-housewives_x.htm |date=2011-06-28 }}. USA Today. Retrieved December 28, 2009. Hatcher continued to provide comic relief in the third season.Bianco, Robert (September 22, 2006). [https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/reviews/2006-09-21-review-desperate-premiere_x.htm "Plots quicken on Housewives"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207212252/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/reviews/2006-09-21-review-desperate-premiere_x.htm |date=2022-02-07 }}. USA Today. Retrieved December 28, 2009.Wallace, Aaron (September 29, 2007). [http://www.ultimatedisney.com/desperatehousewives-season3.html "Desperate Housewives: The Complete Third Season—The Dirty Laundry Edition DVD Review"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100131195331/http://ultimatedisney.com/desperatehousewives-season3.html |date=2010-01-31 }}. Ultimate Disney. Retrieved December 28, 2009.

By season four, critics thought that Susan's storylines were the least interesting and that she had not "operated at full potential since [her] pivotal role in the debut season".Wallace, Aaron (February 5, 2009). [http://www.ultimatedisney.com/desperatehousewives-season4.html "Desperate Housewives: The Complete Fourth Season—Sizzling Secrets Edition DVD Review"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100105055950/http://www.ultimatedisney.com/desperatehousewives-season4.html |date=2010-01-05 }}. Ultimate Disney. Retrieved December 28, 2009. Bianco was more forgiving, stating that while "Susan's silliness sometimes spirals out of control, Teri Hatcher usually manages to keep her likable".Bianco, Robert (October 25, 2007). [https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2007-10-25-three-shows_N.htm "Three hit TV shows remind us why we liked them"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220215059/http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2007-10-25-three-shows_N.htm |date=2008-02-20 }}. USA Today. Retrieved June 16, 2010. As a result of the five-year time jump between seasons four and five, a new direction was taken with Susan's character. The Stat-Legend's Alan Sepinwall calls Susan's character arc in season five the "least annoying storyline she's had in at least three years".Sepinwall, Alan (September 25, 2008). [http://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/index.ssf/2008/09/sepinwall_on_tv_greys_anatomy.html "Grey's Anatomy & Desperate Housewives season five reviews"]. NJ.com. Retrieved December 28, 2009. However, Tanner Stransky of Entertainment Weekly still felt the character was "ever-annoying".Stransky, Tanner (September 29, 2008). [https://web.archive.org/web/20080930222046/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20229450,00.html "Desperate Housewives: How Time Flies"]. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved on December 28, 2009. In the series' sixth season, Stransky stated that Susan was still "whiny" and he would have rather seen Mike marry Katherine, though he was not surprised when the mystery bride was revealed to be Susan.Stransky, Tanner (September 28, 2009). [https://web.archive.org/web/20091002012845/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20308515,00.html "Desperate Housewives recap: Wedding Crasher"]. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 23, 2017. Entertainment Weekly named her one of the "21 Most Annoying TV Characters Ever".{{cite magazine|title=21 Most Annoying TV Characters Ever|url=https://ew.com/gallery/21-most-annoying-tv-characters-ever/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=April 12, 2013|date=April 1, 2013|archive-date=January 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150115080629/http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20586339,00.html|url-status=live}}

{{Main|Teri Hatcher#Awards and nominations}}

Hatcher won the Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Comedy Series in 2005,[http://www.goldenglobes.org/browse/member/30784 Teri Hatcher Golden Globes Nominations and Wins] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091215204328/http://www.goldenglobes.org/browse/member/30784 |date=2009-12-15 }}. Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Retrieved December 28, 2009. beating out fellow cast members Marcia Cross and Felicity Huffman. Also that year, Hatcher received the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Comedy Series.[http://www.sagawards.org/nominee_recipient_database Screen Actors Guild Awards] {{dead link|date=January 2018|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}. Screen Actors Guild. Nominee & Recipient Database → First Name: TERI, Last Name: HATCHER, TV Show/Film: DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, Category: FEMALE COMEDY SERIES, Year: 2005. Retrieved December 28, 2009. In 2005, Hatcher, along with Cross and Huffman, received a nomination for a Satellite Award in the Best Television Actress in a Musical or Comedy Series.[http://www.pressacademy.com/satawards/awards2005a.shtml 2005-A 9th Annual SATELLITE™ Awards – January 2005] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718092001/http://www.pressacademy.com/satawards/awards2005a.shtml |date=2011-07-18 }}, "Television" tab. International Press Academy. Retrieved December 28, 2009. She was also nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series,[https://web.archive.org/web/20090914011800/http://www.emmys.com/award_history_search Emmy Awards]. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Primetime Emmy Award Database → Person: TERI HATCHER, Program: DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES. Retrieved November 7, 2010. but was beaten out by Huffman.[http://www.emmys.com/award_history_search Emmy Awards] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130904172046/http://www.emmys.com/award_history_search |date=2013-09-04 }}. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Primetime Emmy Award Database → Person: FELICITY HUFFMAN, Program: DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES. Retrieved November 7, 2010. In 2006, Hatcher was once again nominated for the Golden Globe Award in the same category, along with Cross, Huffman, and Eva Longoria. All four Desperate Housewives stars lost to Mary-Louise Parker. Hatcher was also nominated for a Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Actress and a People's Choice Award for Favorite Female TV Star.

{{Quote box

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|quote = The producers of 'Desperate Housewives' and ABC Studios offer our sincere apologies for any offense caused by the brief reference in the season premiere. There was no intent to disparage the integrity of any aspect of the medical community in the Philippines ... As leaders in broadcast diversity, we are committed to presenting sensitive and respectful images of all communities featured in our programs.

|source = Apology issued by ABC on October 3, 2007

}}

ABC and the Desperate Housewives producers faced criticism following the September 30, 2007Rueda, Nimfa, U. (October 6, 2007). [http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/news/view/20071006-92867/%91Desperate%92_slur_deleted%3B_Filipino-Americans_not_satisfied "Desperate slur deleted; Filipino-Americans not satisfied"] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130221193721/http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/news/view/20071006-92867/%91Desperate%92_slur_deleted;_Filipino-Americans_not_satisfied |date=2013-02-21 }}. Global News. Retrieved December 29, 2009. fourth season premiere in which the character of Susan made a controversial remark about Filipino doctors. When her gynecologist suggests that she may be entering menopause, Susan responds "OK, before we go any further, can I check these diplomas? Just to make sure they aren't, like, from some med school in the Philippines?"Elber, Lynn (October 4, 2007). [https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/2007-10-03-3650831628_x.htm "Housewives Filipino joke draws ire"]. USA Today. Retrieved December 28, 2009. Following its broadcast, viewers demanded an apology from the network. ABC issued an apology on October 3, but the controversy grew to an international concern and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III of Manila publicly sought an apology from the series' producers. Protests against the network and series were staged, prompting ABC to remove the episode from digital and online platforms in order to apply edits. As a result, the line of controversy was removed from all future broadcasts of the episode, as well as from DVD productions. However, protests continued even after this action was taken. The scene with the line in question is still viewable on YouTube.[//www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sqyGdc5H6g "Teri Hatcher insults Filipinos"]. YouTube. October 1, 2007. Retrieved December 29, 2009.

Nicole Parker portrayed Susan in a Desperate Housewives parody on an episode of MADtv. Susan's klutziness is mocked in the skit.MADtv. Fox. February 12, 2005. Season 10, no. 13. Colette Whitaker voices Susan in the Desperate Housewives computer game, which was released in October 2006. In 2007, Madame Alexander released a line of 16-inch fashion dolls of the series' main characters, including Susan.Finn, Natalie (January 5, 2007). [http://www.eonline.com/news/54074/desperate-housewives-play-around "Desperate Housewives Play Around"]. E! Online. Retrieved August 23, 2017.

• {{cite book|last=Touchstone Television|title=Desperate Housewives: Behind Closed Doors|year=2005|publisher=Hyperion|location=New York City|isbn=1-4013-0826-0|ref=Touchstone|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/desperatehousewi00cher}}

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• [http://abc.go.com/primetime/desperate/index?pn=bios#t=character&d=24709 ABC Character Profile]
• [https://www.imdb.com/character/ch0015605/ IMDB Profile]

{{Desperate Housewives}}

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