Farewell, Desperate Housewives!

For eight seasons, we've been horrified, astonished and shocked (but always entertained) by the naughty ladies of Wisteria Lane. They've had affairs, discovered secret daughters, been tried for murder, and been extremely bitchy to each other. But all good things must come to an end, and this Sunday the gang fades into the sunset for good. While you're waiting to see the blockbuster finale, check out this trivia on one of the most addictive TV series ever:

A Tough Start

"Housewives" creator Marc Cherry pitched the show to six networks before finally convincing two ABC executives to give it the go-ahead.And to think it could have been another HBO classic.

Everybody Had To Audition Marc Cherry insisted that every actress who wanted a part in "Housewives" had to audition - and for actresses at a certain level, that's considered a deadly insult. So Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Calista Flockhart passed. So did Mary-Louise Parker, who went on to play a really desperate housewife in "Weeds."

The Neighborhood's Weirdest House Was.. ...4351 Wisteria Lane, where Betty Applewhite (Alfre Woodard) lived with her two memorable sons. In real life (sort of) the home had a previous incarnation as 1313 Mockingbird Lane, where the Munsters lived. Which family was stranger? You decide.

Teri Hatcher Took One For The Team As the sneak queen Susan, Teri accidentally broke two ribs while stumbling into a wedding cake for an episode. However, she insisted that shooting continue.

They Called It Like They Saw It As Lynette Scavo, Felicity Huffman (at right in photo) said she'd do anything to get out of cooking. Other housewives said the sound of baby talk, even from babies, drove them nuts. No cuddly girlfriend talk here, but they're probably echoing the thoughts of countless American mothers, whether housewives or not.

There Are Actual Housewives Dolls The venerable doll company Madame Alexander, which used to specialize in apple-cheeked versions of Little Women and Alice in Wonderland, issued a collector's series of Desperate Housewives Dolls, complete with tight dresses and snide expressions.

The Show Is A Global Phenomenon "Housewives" has been shown in translation in dozens of countries around the world. In most languages, like Spanish (left), the translation of the title is literal. But in Finnish they're called "The Perfect Women," in Slovenian "The Disappointed Women," and in Polish "Ready For Everything." The last is especially true, we think.

We Owe Them So Much Without "Desperate Housewives," we probably wouldn't have had the Real Housewives of Orange County (left)--not to mention New York, New Jersey, Washington, Atlanta and Beverly Hills. Whether that's a good or bad thing depends on your tolerance for zany women, unbelievable situations and an unending passion for shouting each other down.

They Won't Be Back Over eight seasons, Marc Cherry says, he's had time to explore his characters "in depth" -- and he doesn't have any plans to make a movie sequal, the way that other series, Sex & The City, did. "I'm never sending these gals to Dubai," he cracked, in a jab at SATC's movie jaunt to the Middle East (left).

What's The Verdict Going To Be? We hope the two-hour finale wraps everything up, although that might not be possible. But one thing's for sure: Bree (Marcia Cross) will be either acquitted or convicted of murder. (Or she might escape that's always a possibility). Will there be a last-minute twist? Will the girls have an exit scene of peace, love and harmony -- or go out swinging at each other? We don't know, but we think it's gonna be good.