Wisteria Lane goes south

Mon14Aug2006

Wisteria Lane goes south

17:49 H | Topics: Argentina - Colombia - TV - World

The title of this post doesn't refer to the fact that Desperate Housewives, while a huge hit in its first season, is being snubbed by viewers in its second. It refers to the fact that while American viewers might see the show as a snoozefest, not so the case with viewers in Latin American countries, such as Argentina.

The New York Times reported yesterday that as a result of the show's success in Latin America (it's broadcast on the Sony Channel with Spanish subtitles), Latin American producers are purchasing the rights to recreate the show in localized versions for their countries, all to be called "Amas de casa desesperadas".

Three versions of the series are under way, each tailored to a different area of Latin America. And three additional productions are a possibility, said Mr. Barbosa and executives here, depending on the outcome of discussions with networks in Mexico, Venezuela and Chile. First off the ground is the Argentine version, which will also be shown in neighboring countries including Uruguay and Paraguay and is scheduled to go on the air in six months or so. After that comes a production in Portuguese for Brazil and a second Spanish-language version made for Colombia and Ecuador.

I am skeptical. The most interesting thing about this article to me was the following:

...in the Colombian version of the series, the nouveau riche couple Carlos and Gabrielle Solis will be Ecuadoreans. “They are the ethnic couple on the block, the equivalent of Hispanics in that society,” Mr. Barbosa said.

I'll hold my tongue, but your thoughts on that are certainly welcome.

Via / The New York Times

Pink Panther to Take Argentina and Chile (Friday, Jan 25 2008)
Argentine Jewish Community Upset with Maradona (Wednesday, Dec 26 2007)

Jennifer

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1. Sonia ~ Tuesday, Aug 15 2006 | 12:16H:

I can't see this making it big. There are things that are very American in this series that will not translate no matter what they do.

2. ElColombiano ~ Wednesday, Oct 24 2007 | 16:32H:

"Amas de Casas Desesperadas" made it's debut in Colombia a few weeks ago. I am not a fan of the show but I find nothing wrong with it.

However, I think many of the situations will be difficult for everyday Latin Americans to relate to.

The show has made versions of the show in Argentina and Brasil already.

The Colombian version is filmed in Buenos Aires and it's a Colombian/Ecuadorian production. Marisol Romero does play the Ecuadorian but I don't agree that she's the "ethnic" person in the show.

The premise of the Colombian version is basically of upper-class Latin American women from Colombia, Argentina, Venezuela, and Ecuador who live in a nice, suburban porteño neighborhood in Buenos Aires.

Ana María Orozco, Colombiana, the original "Ugly Betty" plays Teri Hatcher's role, Susan Mayer.

Geraldine Zivic, Colombo-Argentina, plays Lynette Scavo, Felicity Huffman's role

Ruddy Rodríguez, Venezolana, plays Bree Van De Kamp, Marcia Cross' role

Marisol Romero, Ecuatoriana, plays Gabrielle Solis, Eva Longoria's role.

Lorena Meritano, Argentina, plays Edie Britt, Nicolette Sheridan's role.

Sofía Vergara, Colombiana, played the role of Mary Alice Young who kills herself on the first episode.

Like I said before I don't know how this show will succeed when it only relates to a small percentage of Latin Americans. Well, telenovelas are mostly like that anyway BUT the idiosyncrasy is Latin American-- "Desperate Housewives" is really quite American.

3. Maegan la Mala Ortiz ~ Thursday, Oct 25 2007 | 09:42H:

Wow thanks for all the details of the show!!!

VivirLatino