For a long time, I have been ...
Question: For a long time, I have been boycotting
Desperate Housewives. I find the whole premise of the show annoying and I'm just not intrigued by any of the characters. Yet after learning that the very talented
Tuc Watkins and
Nathan Fillion will be regulars this season, I am considering tuning in. I've enjoyed Tuc for years on
One Life to Live as David Vickers. I always treasured the hilarious scenes he had with Robin Strasser as Dorian. Same with Nathan Fillion. He was also on
One Life to Live years ago as Joey Buchanan, a role he recently reprised for the show's 10,000th episode, and I loved him on Joss Whedon's
Firefly and in his guest appearance on
Lost. And let's not forget his role in
Waitress, one of my favorite films this summer. It's obvious
Housewives is trying to bring in new audiences — Fillion still has a huge following from
Firefly and Tuc Watkins from
OLTL. I was wondering if you think fans might be receptive or turned off by their new roles?
Answer: First off, you're a longtime fan of
One Life to Live and enjoy its humor but have been boycotting
Desperate Housewives, a classic (if imperfect) prime-time comedic soap opera? I don't get that at all. And let me preempt the inevitable Whedon-fan letters and remind you that Fillion also had a memorable guest turn on
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, in addition to leading the
Firefly/Serenity crew. But what a stretch to think that
Housewives, a certified hit, is casting him to attract that "huge"
Firefly following. Get a grip. Nathan Fillion is a very appealing actor, and casting him as
Dana Delany's husband is, on paper anyway, simply a great idea. (As is getting the wonderful Delany on the show.) I'm not as familiar with Tuc Watkins, but the fact that his character is half of Wisteria Lane's first gay couple is probably more significant than who's actually playing the part. Not that I doubt he's up to it. I'm actually hoping these new characters bring some zip back to the show this season.
