Mike Delfino may be a man of few words, but his portrayer James Denton is all talk. Which was certainly good news for this TV Addict who was recently given the opportunity to chat with the affable actor about all things DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES. Will Mike and Susan get their happily-ever-after? What’s the mood on the set as the show prepares to say goodbye? And what’s next for the man who has spent the better part of the past decade playing America’s favorite handyman? Find out for yourself after the jump.
Have you noticed a shift in the show’s story-lines since the announcement that this season of DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES would be its last?
James Denton: I don’t believe so. I think [Creator] Marc Cherry had a pretty good feel for when the show was going to end based on the first couple of episodes that felt so much like season one in terms of dealing with the same kind of note from the pilot. At least from my perspective, before it was officially announced that we weren’t coming back, I kind of had a feeling.
Has the mood on the set changed knowing that this is in fact the final season?
It’s a little bittersweet for me primarily because I’m so close to this crew. We were on a show called THREAT MATRIX on ABC before HOUSEWIVES so I’ve been with this crew for 10 years. So for me it’s a little more than the other cast members as far as the melancholy party. The exciting part of it — because as a responsible parent I would have stayed on the show for 20 years — is that it’s good they’re making me leave because as an actor we’re not getting any younger and it will be fun to take the tool-belt off and go play someone else after eight years. But it’s really a mixed blessing because it’s good for you as an actor to get out and test the waters but I think you’re crazy if you leave the security of a show like HOUSEWIVES.
Have you given any thought to type of role you’d like to tackle next?
You know I’ve given it some thought. For me it’s funny because I actually came out here to do comedy. I was in Chicago doing a play and I got flown out by Paramount to test for a sitcom, which, oddly enough Teri Hatcher’s real-life husband at the time Jon Tenney got. So comedy brought me here but I haven’t done it very much save for a couple of guest spots. So that’s what I would lean towards, but again, I’ve got two kids I have to put through school so I’m open to just about anything!
Is there a set piece or prop that you’re planning to sneak off with at the end of the series?
Yeah, Delfino’s truck, I’m going to drive it right out of gate 3! [Laughs] I don’t know, I’d say my wardrobe but it’s already mine. You know, the woman have these wardrobe trailers, racks of clothing that are 20 or 30 yards long while the Delfino section is about 2 feet! It’s like 4 pairs of jeans, 3 t-shirts and a jacket. Most people steal their clothes, but the boots I wear on the show in every single scene are mine so I can’t even say I’d take those. So I don’t know. One thing I did save were the bracelets from when Mike was in a coma, those hospital bracelets are so perfectly made and detailed with my character’s name, social security, address and I kept them. I don’t know why, maybe someday I’ll sell them on eBay for a dollar!
And finally, would it be safe to assume that despite their ups and downs, Mike and Susan fans don’t have to worry about the status of their relationship this being the final season and all?
I always have to be careful, but since Marc Cherry has been pretty open about this subject I don’t think I’d be talking out of turn to say that Mike and Susan are pretty secure and If they broke up it would really surprise me. I think it’s much more interesting for the writers, now that they’ve got them together after all these years, to watch them deal with these crazy situations in a realistic way that couples all across the country have to face all the time. I think it’s much more likely that we’ll see them kind of battle through this mess Susan’s gotten them into together. Of course the more Mike gets involved the more problems arise over the next few episodes. It’s going to be rough for them. 
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES airs Sunday at 8PM on ABC (CTV in Canada) and stars Felicity Huffman, Eva Longoria, Teri Hatcher, Marcia Cross, Vanessa Williams, Doug Savant, James Denton and Brenda Strong. Catch up on past episodes you may have missed for free online at clicktowatch.tv