Pilot (Desperate Housewives episode)

"Pilot"
Desperate Housewives episode
Lynette, Gabrielle, Susan, and Bree celebrate the life of Mary Alice, their departed neighbor and friend.
Episode no.	Season 1 Episode 1
Directed by	Charles McDougall
Written by	Marc Cherry
Production code	101
Original air date	October 3, 2004
Guest appearance(s)
Christine Estabrook as Martha Huber Doug Savant as Tom Scavo Brenda Strong as Mary Alice Young Joy Lauren as Danielle Van de Kamp Shawn Pyfrom as Andrew Van de Kamp Brent Kinsman as Preston Scavo Shane Kinsman as Porter Scavo Zane Huett as Parker Scavo Sherica Durdley as Wendy Nike Doukas as Natalie Klein Heath McCall as Waiter Kay Wade as Elderly Lady Edward Zoellner as Tanaka Party Waiter
Episode chronology
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Desperate Housewives (season 1) List of Desperate Housewives episodes

The pilot episode of the American dramedy-mystery series Desperate Housewives premiered on October 3, 2004, on the ABC network. It was written by series creator Marc Cherry and directed by Charles McDougall. The pilot introduces the residents of the suburban neighborhood of Wisteria Lane. Following the suicide of an outwardly successful neighbor, her friends begin to deal with the problems in their personal lives. Susan Mayer (Teri Hatcher) competes for the attention of a new plumber who has moved across the street; Bree Van de Kamp (Marcia Cross) struggles with her failing marriage and ungrateful family; Gabrielle Solis (Eva Longoria) continues an affair with her sixteen-year-old gardener; and Lynette Scavo (Felicity Huffman) copes with life as a stay-at-home mother of four.

Cherry conceived the idea for the series while watching coverage of the Andrea Yates murder trials, and was fascinated by how women lead lives of quiet desperation. He began writing the script in 2002 and pitched it to several networks throughout the following year. In October 2003, ABC announced that it had picked up the pilot. Casting began in February 2004 and filming took place the following month primarily on the Colonial Street backlot set at Universal Studios. According to Nielsen ratings, the episode was watched by 21.6 million viewers on its original American broadcast, becoming the most-watched program of the week. The pilot received extremely positive reviews, with critics complimenting the series' tonal diversity. The cast, particularly the four leads and Sheridan, also received praise. The episode won various awards, including three Emmys.