See Also: Marc Cherry (Creator) People Guide

Carol Burnett has signed on for an episode of Desperate Housewives, with the possibility of more episodes in the future, as Bree's "tightly wound" step mother.

Creator Marc Cherry first voiced an interest in hiring the actress last March, and he told USATODAY.COM recently: "I learned how to be funny watching Carol Burnett." Burnett agreed to the role, but did have one request. "I said, 'I want her to be a little [meaner].' It's more fun to have those villainous takes—like Miss Hannigan," she said referring to a role in 1982's Annie movie.

Cherry was eager to oblige in creating Bree's step mother. "Eleanor took over after Bree's mother was killed when Bree was a child," Cherry said. "She's a very tightly wound, proper lady for whom appearances mean everything. A lot of what Bree has become came from this woman."

Looking ahead to the rest of the season, Cherry said that the season finale "will be a mixture of current stories and flashbacks on how all the women came to Wisteria Lane" and that the Applewhites will get "a big finale". And he said that next year's big mystery would focus on one of the four main housewives, who "will end up in a serious relationship with a man who has some pretty dark secrets."

Burnett is a familiar face to soap opera fans, after appearing in numerous seasons of All My Children. She also had her own TV show, The Carol Burnett Show, and other TV appearances include Touched by an Angel and Mad About You.

For more from Cherry and Burnett, visit USATODAY.COM.

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