TCA/Teri Hatcher Hints Richard Burgi Could Return to Desperate Housewives
ABC Network threw a fabulous bash tonight in the ballroom of the Beverly Hilton. The event was thick with stars including Vanessa Williams, Lucy Liu, Teri Hatcher, Dana Delany, Gale Harold (who joins DH this season), and others.
The press clustered around the accessible and gracious Teri Hatcher (Susan Mayer) of Desperate Housewives. She was flanked by Desperate Housewives executive producer Bob Daily.
I scooted in next to her on the sofa and we chatted briefly about her comedic side. Hatcher hinted that Richard Burgi, who plays her caddish and unpredictable ex-husband Karl, might be returning to the series.
"I can still fall down the stairs like nobody’s business," quipped Hatcher, alluding to the five year time jump in the series this season.
Me: Some of the scenes between you and Richard Burgi were really amazing.
Teri: So you don’t want to lose that?
Me: You two were really funny. You made me laugh out loud and I loved it.
Teri: Thank you! …made you laugh out loud! Did we pay all of you people to come over here? Did that happen?
Me: Will we see any more of you and Richard perhaps, or is that all over?
Teri gave me a surprised, delighted look, as if she wasn’t expecting the question, and said, "Perhaps! Yes! Perhaps! Perhaps! Isn’t that exciting? I can admit it. All the girls on Desperate Housewives think Burgi is hot."
"Yeah, yeah," nodded Bob Daily, grinning. (Desperate Housewives creator Marc Cherry had introduced Daily earlier in the day as the "guy who’s been helping me run the show for the past two seasons.")
"Everyone is a Richard Burgi fan, for sure," said Hatcher.
"And some of the men!" added Daily.
"Yeah!" agreed Teri, as Daily nodded yes, yes. "And some of the men are Richard Burgi fans. Everyone is big on Richard. Ever since the ‘heart wants what the heart wants.’ Pretty much, yeah - Burgi to the end!’
Well, ladies (and gentlemen), we can all only hope. In any case, here’s the Desperate Housewives clip ABC screened for the critics. Yes, I know - it’s been out for awhile….
Jane Davitt commented:
Well, we saw him in episode 5.02 but blink and you'd have missed him :-) He still owned the scene though, and I hope we see him again in season five.
Slip commented:
Oh please bring Karl back full time! Karl provided the belly laughs and he was such a perfect achilles heel for Susan to stumble over repeatedly. The series needs him, I think. I love the depth Dana Delaney has added but Richard Burgi's Karl just assured a grin at least and provided me a belly laugh many times. It is all in the balance, and Burgi's Karl provides a needed counterpoint.
Ceres commented:
Yeah, what they said! Thank you for the news and for asking the question. Burgi brings a much-needed sense of fun,
playfulness and warmth to the show. Susan and Edy are never so funny as in their scenes with Richard's Carl. And yes, the man is HOT. Positively smoking.
Fingers crossed for a major story arc for him.
Jane Davitt commented:
That's great news to hear, Mary and thank you for asking! I'm a big fan of Richard Burgi in all his roles, but I definitely have a soft spot for Karl. RB brought so many layers and nuances to the character and he plays him with a great snarky edge and a lot of humor.
A DH season without him wouldn't be the same. I'd love to see him back for more than a single episode, too!
bhayling commented:
Thanks for this, Mary! Burgi back on DH -- now that's more like it! Definitely a sound move, assuming TPTB actually follow through.
Burgi's work as Karl is usually a joy to watch, often injecting a healthy, and memorable, dose of comedy into his episodes. "Karl at Window with Pie" always stands out -- Karl at his Machiavellian best, setting Mike up to do his romantic dirty-work with Susan's latest paramour.
Really nice to hear that the cast and crew enjoy having him on the team!