The summer shows have started, some of them anyway. And while we still have quite a few to premiere over the next few weeks, I did catch a new Lifetime original series that aired this past weekend: Devious Maids.
I almost missed this new series… I hadn’t heard anything about it. Luckily, as I watched the Lifetime original Jodi Arias story, I caught a commercial for Devious Maids just in time to set my DVR for the premiere.
The story begins with a wealthy wife confronting her husband and their maid for having an affair. Having said her piece, the wife takes her husband back down to their lavish backyard party… while someone murders the maid upstairs.
A murder mystery. Already, I’m intrigued.
Devious Maids follows a group of beautiful Hispanic housekeepers in Beverly Hills and the rich families they work for. First, there’s Marisol (played by Ana Ortiz from Ugly Betty). She’s new to the scene, but has a very good reason for being there… Then there’s Rosie (J. Dania Ramirez from Heroes and Entourage). She’s the sweet one, working diligently to bring her young son to America from Mexico. Next, there’s Carmen (played by the beautiful Roselyn Sanchez from Without a Trace). Carmen landed a maid-ship, working for a Latin recording artist… a lucky coincidence, since she has her own dreams and aspirations of signing a big record deal. And finally there’s Zoila (Judy Reyes from Scrubs) and Valentina (Edy Ganem), a mother and daughter cleaning team… that is if the mother can remind the daughter that she’s there to dust and mop (and that the rich folk don’t date the help).
After watching the first hour, this new Lifetime original series reminded me of Desperate Housewives. There are hot guys (Drew Van Acker—also known as Jason DiLaurentis from Pretty Little Liars, and Matt Cedeno—Brandon Walker from Days of our Lives); familiar faces (Susan Lucci—the Erica Kane from All My Children, Grant Show—from the “real” Melrose Place, Brett Cullen—Harold’s business partner from Person of Interest, Mariana Klaveno—Lorena from True Blood; Rebecca Wisocky—the seemingly untrustworthy Brenda from The Mentalist, Brianna Brown—the crazy Lisa from General Hospital; and Tom Irwin—from one of my old favorites… My So Called Life); plus, gossip, lust, and humor, with both laugh-out-loud moments and backhanded comments.
“You thought my maid had plastic surgery?” ~Taylor
“Poor people like to be pretty too!” ~Evelyn
Oh, and did I mention Devious Maids was created by Marc Cherry? You know, the man responsible for Desperate Housewives? No wonder I saw the similarities… even the music reminded me of our favorite ladies from Wisteria Lane.
I’ll admit; when I first saw the commercials for the new series, I rolled my eyes. Just a little bit. But you know me; I set my DVR to record it anyway. And I’m really kind of glad I did… because Devious Maids is devilishly fun.
So for now, I’m awarding Devious Maids with the JFTV rating. This dramedy is definitely a guilty pleasure. And if you miss Desperate Housewives, this one might be just for you!
Did you watch Devious Maids? Do you plan to? I’d love to hear from you!
Remember to stop by the #watchwed hashtag in Twitter to discuss today’s review, or to mention any television programs that you’d like to see on Why It’s Worth a Watch Wednesday in the future.
A Recap of The WatchWed Review System:
GTV (Gourmet TV): Everything we want and more
MacTV (MacNCheese TV): Guilty pleasure. Not perfect, but is satisfies
GMacTV (Gourmet MacNCheese TV): A combination of fine wine and comfort food
JFTV (Junk food TV):It’s not great for us, but we’ll go back for seconds
TBPTV (Twice Baked Potato TV): Part gourmet and delicious, while absolutely horrible for our cholesterol
SSTV (Still Simmering TV): It has potential, but the jury is still out
NIV (NyQuil Induced Viewing): Perfect for that late night television sleep timer
LOTV (Liver&Onions TV): Do we really have to explain? Blech
Inedible TV: Exactly how it sounds…
Tiffany A White's Ooo Factor 
Not my kind of thing. But you probably know that. LOL
The fact that it’s on Lifetime is putting me off a little, but I like the sound of it.
Hahaha. I was the same way, Emma… I like some of the Lifetime movies, but not usually the series. This one caught me off guard and I really enjoyed the pilot. I’m looking forward to watching a few more episodes.
I like the cast. They seem like spunky women. I tried watching The Client List but couldn’t make it past the first episode.
I made it through the first season of The Client List (it was really tough, I fast-fowarded through a lot of it), and after one episode of Devious Maids, I can already tell I like this show so much more. There is a lot of spunk!
I was totally uninterested. Perhaps I still am. But your review here and the actress from Scrubs may convince me to take a peek.