Amas De Casa Desesperadas (Desperate Housewives) Premieres on Univision in the U.S

Thursday nights at 10pm is now appointment television for the Hispanic/Latino audience in the United States, because Amas De Casa Desesperadas (Desperate Housewives) has arrived.
This is the U.S. Spanish-speaking version of the international hit ABC network-Disney one hour comedic drama.

So why have a separate U.S. Spanish-version, why not just watch the U.S. English-version in Spanish subtitles?

The episodes are an exact re-enactment of the original scripts. Retaining the flavor of the original but stylized to the cultural ways of the U.S. Hispanic. An example of this is the colorfully painted houses in Calle Manzanares (Wisteria Lane). Other observations are that most of the houses on Calle Manzanares don't have porches like the originals do, though the Solis' house does. Though no specific mention to what state its located in (the same is done in the original) they do use U.S. dollars for currency.

It features and international cast of actors from various Latin American countries. Led by soap opera diva Mexican actress Lucia Mendez playing the role of Alicia Arizmendi (Mary Alice Young), providing the voice over narration and seen in flashbacks, she is fair in the role. Seeing her excessively plump lips was quite distracting, botox injections?
Mexican actor Leonardo Daniel is Pablo Arizmendi (Paul Young) the widower, who is great at conveying the menacing and mysterious ways of the original effectively.
Colombian actress Lorna Paz is Leonor Guerrero (Lynette Scavo) adequately played, she is similar looking to Felicity Huffman but in a younger version. The Scavo children here are black haired as opposed to the blond and dirty blonds of the original. Peruvian actor Diego Berti is Antonio Guerrero (Tom Scavo),a great choice- he is better looking here than the rather bland and boring Doug Savant.

Venezuelan actress Scarlet Ortiz is Susana Martinez (Susan Mayer), she is cuter than original Terry Hatcher. Her black straight fine hair is shoulder length. Her daughter here is practically Julie's Latino twin sister. Peruvian actor Diego Ramos is Miguel Santini (Mike Delfino)-much better, youthful looking and thats a plus compared to the tired-weathered looking original played by James Denton.

Regina Sotomayor (Bree Van De Kamp) is played assuredly well by Mexican actress Julieta Rosen. As her husband Dr. Roberto Sotomayor (Rex Van De Kamp) is Mexican actor Riccardo Dalmacci- a more realistic grey haired fellow here. Their son (Andrew in the original) is a bit chubbier faced in this version and has bangs to conceal/hide his forehead. A common practice used to make older actors youthful looking and less their true age.

Mexican actress Ana Serradilla is Gabriela Solis (Gabrielle Solis), she is taller but similar to the part played by Eva Longoria Parker in the original. Peruvian actor Bernie Paz is Carlos Solis, and here he is super good looking, taller and without a mustache- a nice improvement. Its as if this Gabriela took looks into consideration and not just money. The part of Pedro-the gardener is played by Argentinean actor Ezequiel Stramitz (John), with short wavy messy hair here but the same great body.

Venezuelan actress-model Gabriela Vergara is Roxana Guzman (Edie Britt)- a younger and hot brunette here better than the older, tired looking one played by Nicolette Sheridan in the original.

According to Univision the series premiere on Thursday, January 10, 2008 at 10pm was seen by 5.5 million viewers according to Nielsen Media Research, a firm that measures audience viewership.

This one-hour weekly comedic drama show will definitely attract and expand the U.S. Spanish speaking TV viewing audience.
What this version will do is attract the U.S. Hispanic/Latino that is over 40 years old, those who are our "Tias and Abuelas" who tend to be monolingual and prefer and enjoy watching their soap operas and shows in Spanish.

But anyone interested and curious can and should watch. It was quite a kick to see something I have enjoyed in English now in Spanish. From the actors, sets and wardrobe. They definitely are more sensual and passionate. "Le echamos ganas": we make an effort, sounds better in Spanish. The red apple is temptation here in Calle Manzanares, so be tempted to watch will you.