Desperate Housewives: Time for Raises for the Women on Wisteria Lane?

A raise for Lynette, Bree, Susan and Gabrielle may not top your Christmas list this year but for the stars of ABC’s Desperate Housewives, it certainly would help to ring in the new year. Contracts for Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross, Teri Hatcher and Eva Longoria expire at the end of the season, and EW has learned that renegotiations have already begun.

ABC hasn’t officially said whether the drama will return for an eighth year, but all signs indicate that it’s a sure thing: Creator Marc Cherry is committed to Wisteria Lane through 2013 and the drama remains the most-watched series on Sundays (12.9 million). It’s also the No. 1 non-sports program on the night in adults 18-49 (4.3 rating/10 share) and dominates its time period across all key female demographics. The show also commands a hefty ad rate that’s well north of $200,000 per 30-second spot and ranks among TV’s highest-rated scripted series among adults in homes with an $100,000-plus annual income.

Since the four stars earn the same amount — reports peg their salaries at roughly $400,000 each per episode, which makes them among TV’s highest paid stars — its likely the women will negotiate together. From what EW hears, the women continue to get along well and are dedicated to seeing through Cherry’s vision. Stay tuned.

In the meantime, Cherry’s eager to find new hits for the Alphabet network. He has a script in development dubbed Hallelujah that would center on a small town “which finds itself being torn apart by the forces of good and evil,” according to Variety . Things improve, however, when a stranger comes to town “looking to bring justice, peace, and a little bit of faith” to the residents. The project is set up at ABC Studios through Cherry’s huge overall deal.

Nicollette Sheridan Removes Abuse Claims in 'Desperate Housewives' Lawsuit

Earlier this year, TV star Nicollette Sheridan sued her former 'Desperate Housewives' employers--including the show's creator Marc Cherry, Touchstone Television Productions, ABC Studios and ABC Entertainment--for $20 million in relation to her firing.

RadarOnline.com reports that on Friday, new papers were filed, dropping some of the more shocking accusations from the original lawsuit. The actress previously claimed assault and battery, emotional distress, gender violence and wrongful termination.

In the new papers, Sheridan removed the claims of physical injury and emotional distress--and as a result, she will not have to submit to a physical and psychiatric evaluation.

She previously stated that she suffered--and continued to suffer--physical injury and emotional distress and in response, the defense demanded a physical and psychiatric evaluation.

By tweaking the suit, she will avoid any evaluations. Sheridan states in the new papers that while those claims are still valid, she is removing them to streamline the case. The defense agreed and the case will move forward as planned.

In the original lawsuit, Sheridan claims Cherry created a hostile work environment by "behaving in an extremely abusive and aggressive manner toward the individuals who work on the show."

Things worsened between Sheridan and Cherry in the fifth season. Sheridan claims on September 24, 2008, he physically assaulted her after she questioned him about something in the script. According to the lawsuit, "Cherry took her aside and forcefully hit her with his hand across her face and head."

Betty White: Rue McClanahan's Death 'Hurts More Than I Ever Thought'

She's now the last living Golden Girl. For Betty White the loss of her costar Rue McClanahan struck hard.

"Rue was a close and dear friend. I treasure our relationship," White, 88, said in a statement. "It hurts more than I ever thought it would, if that's even possible."

McClanahan died early Thursday at age 76 after suffering a stroke, following the deaths of costars Bea Arthur last year at age 86 and Estelle Getty in 2008 at age 84 .

Golden Girls producer and writer Marc Cherry also expressed sadness over McClanahan's death. "When I worked on The Golden Girls, my favorite character to write for was Blanche Devereaux," he said Friday. "In the hands of lesser actresses Blanche's vanity and sexual appetite would have been off-putting. But in Rue's brilliant hands, that character became one of the most beloved in the history of T.V. Rue's kindness, generosity and enormous talent will be sorely missed."

Desperative Housewives TV Bosses Negotiating Nicollette Sheridan 'Peace Package'

TV executives are reportedly preparing to offer Nicollette Sheridan a "peace package" to convince her to drop a multi-million dollar lawsuit against Desperate Housewives creator Marc Cherry.

The actress stunned fans of the hit show earlier this month when she filed suit against Cherry, alleging he slapped her during an argument about a scene and then fired her when she complained about his behavior on set.

Bosses at ABC reportedly want to resolve the case before it heads to court, after Sheridan's lawyers indicated they intend to subpoena cast and crew members to give evidence if the matter goes before a judge. And network chiefs are preparing to make the blonde beauty an offer in return for dropping the case.

An ABC source tells the publication, "Our legal team is working to get both sides together to see if they can help ­broker a compromise. This doesn't mean that anyone is going to hand Nicollette $20 million to drop her action and walk away but there are various incentives that might be put on the table."

Co-stars Teri Hatcher, Eva Longoria Parker, Felicity Huffman and Marcia Cross have released a joint statement supporting the writer in the legal battle.

Desperate Housewives Stars Pledge Support for Producer in Nicollette Sheridan Dispute

A line has been drawn on Wisteria Lane.

Desperate Housewives stars Eva Longoria Parker, Teri Hatcher, Marcia Cross and Felicity Huffman issued a joint statement Tuesday pledging their support for show creator Marc Cherry in a lawsuit filed by Nicollette Sheridan.

"It would be irresponsible of us to let the public believe that being a part of this show from its inception has been anything but a blessing," the statement says. "We have no first-hand knowledge of what Nicollette may or may not have experienced, but we would never characterize our set as a hostile environment.

"It is, in fact, the opposite," the statement continues. "The friendships and support that Marc Cherry, the cast, the crew and the producers have shared for the past six years have made this a wonderful job that we are grateful for every day."

Hatcher, who plays housewife Susan on the show, separately expressed concern that the actress was singled out in the lawsuit alleging Cherry hit Sheridan in the face and that her Edie Britt character was killed off when she complained about him. Sheridan's suit alleged that when Hatcher went over Cherry's head to complain about him to ABC executives, he told Sheridan, "I hope Teri Hatcher gets hit by a car and dies."

The statement said it was "unfortunate and inappropriate" for Sheridan's attorneys to have mentioned Hatcher without her authorization.

Hatcher says: "While my adoration and respect for the classic and dynamic chemistry of the characters of Susan and Edie is indelible, I'm honored to stand with Eva, Felicity and Marcia, as a group and clarify that our set environment is nothing less than an amazingly positive experience. I have never felt discriminated against. In fact, I have felt heard and respected by Marc and other executives in regards to both my professional and personal needs."

Eva Longoria Parker is 'Really Confused' by Nicollette Sheridan's Lawsuit

Shocked by Nicollette Sheridan's lawsuit against Desperate Housewives's creator? Her former costar Eva Longoria Parker was caught off guard too!

"I'm really confused about this whole thing," Longoria Parker said Wednesday morning on Ryan Seacrest's KIIS-FM radio show. "I would love to see her to find out if everything's okay."

In court papers filed Monday, Sheridan, 46, alleges she was fired from the ABC series after complaining the show's creator Marc Cherry hit her in the face on set.

Sheridan's rep was unavailable for comment, but ABC Studios said in a statement: "While we have yet to see the actual complaint, we investigated similar claims made by Ms. Sheridan last year and found them to be without merit."

While Longoria Parker, 35, says she doesn't know the details of the alleged incident, "I know they did have a thing on set," she says, adding that Cherry "probably could not harm a fly."

"I guess it was a couple years ago. I wasn't on set when it happened but apparently this incident had happened and she felt it was wrong," she says.

When asked to clarify what kind of incident it was, Longoria Parker says that Sheridan "was doing a scene, something that [Marc] was showing her how to do ... Honestly I wish I knew."

And while she hopes things work out for Sheridan, Longoria Parker is also crossing her fingers the show will get past the lawsuit. "I love the show so much," she says, "I would hate for anything tarnish the reputation of the show."

Nicollette Sheridan Bracing for Character Smear

Nicollette Sheridan won't be surprised if the legal response against her is, well, desperate.

After filing a lawsuit Monday alleging she was assaulted and then was wrongly fired from ABC's Desperate Housewives, her lawyer alleges show creator Marc Cherry was abusive on the set – and the attorney anticipates more of the same now.

"We expect the case to be hard fought, and it will not be a surprise if ABC and Mr. Cherry try to depict Nicollette to be something other than a team player and long-standing industry professional," says attorney Mark Baute.

Sheridan, 46, is suing for $20 million, alleging assault and battery, gender violence and wrongful termination. She says that Cherry hit her in the face when she questioned a script and that she was then killed off the show last year when she complained.

"Nicollette worked very hard on the show and was a model employee," Baute says. "Mr. Cherry's behavior towards Nicollette was and is nothing short of abusive and appalling. The lawsuit is not something Nicollette wanted to do, it's something she felt compelled to do."

Saying that Sheridan "put her heart and soul" into the role of sexy Realtor Edie Britt, Baute claims the actress went to court only because ABC rebuffed her requests for protection.

"Sometimes the only way that a safe and normal work environment can be created is when a hard-working person like Nicollette stands up for herself and her rights," he says, "and in doing so help protect others who have had to work in a hostile environment."

ABC Studios said in a statement Monday: "While we have yet to see the actual complaint, we investigated similar claims made by Ms. Sheridan last year and found them to be without merit."

Nicollette Sheridan Sues Over Desperate Housewives Firing & Alleges Assault on Set

It's a lawsuit worthy of a juicy Desperate Housewives storyline.

Nicollette Sheridan alleges the show's creator hit her in the face on the set and that she was then fired in retaliation for complaining about him, "resulting in her losing millions in future earnings," says the suit filed Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Sheridan, whose character was killed off the show last year, is suing for $20 million, alleging assault and battery, gender violence and wrongful termination. She claims series creator Marc Cherry created a hostile work environment, "behaving in an extremely abusive and aggressive manner."

Sheridan, a Golden Globe nominee who played sexy Realtor Edie Britt, claims that Cherry directed his abuse at other cast and crew members, even at star Teri Hatcher after she went above his head to ABC executives.

"I hope Teri Hatcher gets hit by a car and dies," Cherry told Sheridan, according to the lawsuit.

Without Merit

ABC Studios says in a statement: "While we have yet to see the actual complaint, we investigated similar claims made by Ms. Sheridan last year and found them to be without merit."

Sheridan, whose contract called for her to earn $175,000 an episode going up to $250,000 in later years, claimed that in the summer of 2008 she tried to meet privately with Cherry "in an effort to discuss his negative demeanor toward her and to discuss whether he had a problem with her work," the lawsuit says.

Cherry told her he didn't have a problem with her and apologized, only to lash out at her again, behaving in a "rude and degrading manner," leading up to a clash on the set during a Sept. 24, 2008, rehearsal, the lawsuit claims.

"When Sheridan questioned Cherry about something that was in the script, Cherry took her aside and forcefully hit her with his hand across her face and head," the lawsuit says.

Begging Forgiveness

A humiliated Sheridan yelled back, "You just hit me in the head. That is not okay. THAT IS NOT OKAY!" according to the lawsuit.

Cherry went to her trailer to "beg forgiveness," the lawsuit says, but after Sheridan reported him to ABC, his behavior allegedly worsened. She was informed in February 2009 that her character was being written off the show and she was being fired, according to the lawsuit.

"The decision to kill off Sheridan's character demonstrates that Cherry and ABC intended to and did retaliate against Sheridan for her complaints about Cherry," the lawsuit says. The lawsuit notes that although some of the male characters were killed off the show, "none of the female characters had ever before been killed off or written out of the show."

The lawsuit was first reported by TMZ.

Marc Cherry Signs New Deal with ABC - Desperate Housewives Could Continue thru 2013

Marc Cherry has sealed a new deal that could keep "Desperate Housewives" on the air through 2013.

As part of a two-year extension Cherry signed with ABC Studios, Cherry will remain exec producer of "Housewives" for an eighth and ninth season. The show is currently in its sixth year.

Whether or not "Housewives" continues until then will now depend on the show's core cast members, who are only committed through the 2010-11 season, the show's seventh.

Also signing a two-year extension with ABC Studios is Cherry's top "Housewives" lieutenant, Bob Daily, who will also now remain with the show through those potential eighth and ninth years.

Daily will continue to take a more active role in running the show, particularly as Cherry ramps up his development at the studio. Should one of Cherry's new projects go to series, the studio noted that Daily's role would be "critical" in keeping day-to-day operations at "Housewives" running smoothly.

Cherry now has two projects in the works for the Alphabet, including a drama he's writing with "Housewives" exec producer Alexandra Cunningham. The two of them will exec produce along with another "Housewives" exec producer, Sabrina Wind.

As for the other project, Cherry is working with scribes Jeffrey Bowen and Hunter Bell (both of whom will write) on a multicamera comedy about two mismatched brothers. One sibling is gay, one straight, and the two share a gynecological practice -- but neither knows the first thing about women.

Also attached to the laffer are Wind and Michael Barresse.

Cherry "has been such a special part of the network," said ABC Entertainment Group topper Steve McPherson. "For me it's been an amazing collaboration. It's wonderful to know that he'll be around. The new stuff that he's already working on is a huge priority for us."

Daily, meanwhile, will also start developing projects for the Alphabet while focusing on his "Housewives" duties.

"Bob's such a huge part of 'Desperate Housewives' and is such an extraordinary partner for Marc," McPherson said. "It was extremely important for the network, the studio and for Marc that we secure this relationship with Bob."

Pact with Cherry has been in the works for several months. Cherry had originally hinted that he might end the show sooner, after seven seasons (when his deal was originally up).

But at a cake-cutting ceremony for the show's 100th episode last December, the exec producer let it slip that he had talked to the Alphabet brass about continuing through season nine.

"Desperate Housewives" remains a strong performer for ABC, clocking in as Sunday's most-watched entertainment program all five weeks it has been on the air so far this season. "Housewives" is also one of Disney's top DVD franchises and has been sold in more than 220 territories around the globe. Local versions of the show have also been launched in several markets.

"Housewives" Creator Developing New ABC Series

Five years after the launch of his "Desperate Housewives" helped turn around ABC's fortunes, Marc Cherry is developing a new series for the network targeted for next season.

Cherry is in discussions with ABC about the project, which he will write with "Desperate Housewives" executive producer Alexandra Cunningham.

In development circles, the project has been referred to as a "Desperate Housewives" spin-off, but while there was some discussion about spinning it from the hit comedy-drama, it will now be a stand-alone show.

The premise is being worked out, but the show is expected to have the tone of "Housewives." Cherry and Cunningham are expected to executive produce the project with another "Housewives" executive producer, Sabrina Wind.

There has been a lot of curiosity about what Cherry would develop as a follow-up to "Housewives" under his overall deal with ABC Studios, the show's producer. He spent the past five years on the hit series and has made it clear that he will stay involved until it ends. That is not expected to change if he gets another show on the air.