Disney aims for another 'Desperate' hit

[crazy4wdw]

Disney aims for another 'Desperate' hit
The company will debut a computer game based on the series this fall.

Bloomberg News
Posted March 26, 2006

Walt Disney Co. will publish a computer game based on the hit ABC TV show Desperate Housewives.

Disney's Buena Vista Games Inc. will introduce a Desperate Housewives title this fall, the Burbank, Calif.-based company said.

Players will take the role of a new housewife who moves onto Wisteria Lane and meets characters from the series, including Bree Van De Kamp and Carlos Solis.

The game is another way for Disney, which also owns the ABC television network and show producer Touchstone Television, to exploit the show's popularity. The television show is watched by an average of 23 million viewers Sundays and can be downloaded to video iPods made by Apple Computer Inc. A fragrance and a cookbook will also be introduced this year.

As she does in the TV series, Brenda Strong will lend her voice to the game's deceased narrator, Mary Alice Young. Liquid Entertainment, the creators of the "Dragonshard" PC title, will develop the game.

 

[Banzai]

I can't wait!

 

[ellindea]

You've got to be kidding! I hate that the show even exists, and now Disney--Disney, a family-oriented company--is supporting it?! If it's true, it's very very sad.

 

[exDS vet]

You've got to be kidding! I hate that the show even exists, and now Disney--Disney, a family-oriented company--is supporting it?! If it's true, it's very very sad.

Desperate Housewives debuted on ABC in the fall of 2004. Disney, which owns ABC and was controlled by Eisner at the time definately supported this program from the start. No show got on that network during Eisner's run without his greenlight. I personally was opposed to the show and thought it wasn't appropriate for the Disney-owned network. I have since lightened up a bit and realized that they did the right thing.

Disney should not interfear with the programming of a network that is trying to survive in the ratings-dominated broadcasting industry. Eisner had a long and successful run at ABC much earlier in his career before he eventually wound up at Paramount and then Disney. He felt justified in being part of the decision making process after Disney bought Cap Cities/ABC. He had some winners too.

He also had some Big losers. He turned down "Survivor" and "The Apprentice".
He also insisted that "8 Simple Rules" would continue after John Ritter died. He brought "Millionaire" to the network which was good, but then let them ruin the show with massive overexposure, video games, theme park rides, a syndicated version as well. Oh, and Eisner alsp ruined "The Wonderful World of Disney" with the on-again-off-again scheduling, bouncing it back and forth between Saturday and Sunday, and of course hosting it. BAD MOVE! (cnbc)

It's the overexposure that can ruin a great show. I'm not into video games, but I can't see the appeal of a "Desperate Houswives" game. Video games are targeted mostly to men and boys. This show appeals more to women. We'll have to see where this winds up.