Apparently, Helmut was admitted to the hospital in DC early this week when La Lucci was promoting Devious Maids. She was unable to make it to the Chicago event. But guess who stepped in for her? Eva Longoria.

Susan Lucci, star of Lifetime's "Devious Maids," dropped in briefly before returning to George Washington University Hospital, where her husband was unexpectedly admitted that day. "He's in great hands and he's feeling better and he will be fine," she told reporters.

Eva Longoria, an executive producer for Devious Maids, Lifetime's new show centered around Latino domestic workers, surprised Chicago audience during last night's sneak peek at the Regal Webster Theater.

Sorry to hear about that.

I hadn't heard about Helmut. I hope he's okay.

I finally watched the pilot episode tonight, and I LOVED it. I absolutely adored Susan's performance, and I hope she's more involved in future episodes. I had a similar thought about Zoila and her daughter - that Zoila was speaking from experience. I loved Rosie (I think it was Rosie) talking to her son, juxtaposed with the bitchy actress she works for telling her that she can't miss her facial appointment. I loved Marisol and the insecure second wife she's working for. It was nice to see Paula Garces too, if only for a moment. I assume we'll get flashbacks with her in it in future episodes.

Honestly, I think they should cut Carmen and her whole story. To me, it was by far the weakest part of the show, and Carmen is downright annoying. I have a reason to care about the other maids and about the people they work for, but so far, I don't have any reason to care about or like Carmen or her employer.

I hope so too about Paula becuase I know she keeps saying on Twitter watch the show for her and this that and the other and then I think to myself... but you weren't in it that long and sure it started the catalyst for them to investigate her murder and find out what truly happened but I'm hoping for a little more because I really do like Paula.

I actually agree with you, she did have the weakest storyline which was horribly boring and I FFed every time she came on because all she did was peddle her music and try to get her boss to help her make it as a pop star.

Gorgeous photo of La Lucci!

http://mrsrmag.com/article/the-return-of-susan-lucci/

Love them both!

Eva Longoria ‏@EvaLongoria47m

Me and my idol Susan Lucci at #DeviousMaids premier party! Tune in June 23rd on Lifetime!! http://say.ly/fSh64oY

Spotted at the @DeviousMaids premiere party: TV icon @Susan_Lucci looking fab in zebra print! #soapqueen pic.twitter.com/T7ZZregGAy

Marc Cherry has a much better relationship with La Lucci than he did with Nicolette Sheridan.

http://instagram.com/p/asDXf0CjDM/

I think with Nicollette Sheridan, he resented her because he had his own visit for that show with the 4 women, but she was so popular and the network forced him to keep her on. I don't think he's some terror on the set, that was more a unique case of two dueling divas.

Spotted at the @DeviousMaids premiere party: TV icon @Susan_Lucci looking fab in zebra print! #soapqueen pic.twitter.com/T7ZZregGAy

I thought the earrings and dress were a bit much. She's such a gorgeous woman, but she just doesn't have the best sense of personal style.

I thought the earrings and dress were a bit much. She's such a gorgeous woman, but she just doesn't have the best sense of personal style.

Really? I thought that's the best red carpet dress she's worn in a while.

I think with Nicollette Sheridan, he resented her because he had his own visit for that show with the 4 women, but she was so popular and the network forced him to keep her on. I don't think he's some terror on the set, that was more a unique case of two dueling divas.

And it's that sort of inflexibility that I have no respect for. Marc Cherry couldn't stand that someone transcended his writing with sheer charisma.

I love La Lucci, really I do, but the earrings were too matchy-matchy with the dress, and the print on the dress was bold enough that I thought it overwhelmed her small stature a bit. She wore a zebra print cocktail dress on AMC, and the print worked for her, but I liked the shorter length better. I feel like she tends to go big all over: statement dress, statement jewelery, and big hair (either down or swept to the side). I think she'd look significantly better if she went with a more simple but elegant look. If you want to wear a floor-length zebra print dress, fine, but go with a simple hairstyle and accessories that don't compete with the dress. I will give her props though for not wearing that godawful orange-red slip dress with the shredded bottom that she wore to the Emmy's last year. She looked so much better at the 'Devious Maids' party than she did at the Emmy's last year, but that's not saying a lot.

Where to begin....

1. Eva Longoria frustrates the hell out of me. Sometimes, she'll blurt out some crystal clear logic that showcases her as more self-aware and intelligent than she is giving credit for, only to pull some stupid ish like this. And no, I don't buy for a second that she's got few choices as a Latina in Hollywood because Salma Hayek (hell, even JLo) isn't promoting crap like this and they're at the same level of the power playing field.

2. I like Judy Reyes and would die if La Lucci were to grace my small screen again, but I can't with this show. Not when there have been television shows and movies that have transcended these bullshit stereotypes.

3. Though I've never bothered to tune into Desperate Housewives (for reasons that I won't get into over here, as I'd derail this thread), I've heard enough about Marc Cherry's suspect treatment of Black characters during Alfre Woodard's stint enough to not trust him as far as I can throw him when it comes to depicting Latina women onscreen.

I'd rather see a TV version of Tortilla Soup than what Eva Longoria is trying to sell here. No, it isn't the deepest source material, but at least I know that the lead female characters aren't going to be employed as fvcking maids.

I kinda sorta agree here...I see no reason for all the Latinas to be maids.

That's a valid point, but it's very clear early on in the show that these women are more than just maids, and they come across as significantly more sympathetic and interesting than their employers. I honestly only watched the Pilot to see Susan Lucci, but I really, really liked Marisol, Zoila and Rosie, and I will tune in again to see them and learn more about their lives.