MUMBAI: E! Entertainment Television crowned the five actors from Desperate Housewives -Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross, Eva Longoria and Nicollette Sheridan - and the show's creator Marc Cherry with the Entertainer of the Year award 2005.

The staggering success of Desperate Housewives, attributed to its cast of leading women, and the extraordinary vision of its creator - Cherry, made it the prime candidate for this year's award. The women from Wisteria Lane and the show's creator were named "Entertainer of the Year" during E! one hour special The Big, Bad & Best: 2005 on 12 November.

In its first season, the story of suburban babes with manicured nails, manicured lawns and loads of dirty laundry became an instant ratings success as well as a television phenomenon, proving that females in their 40's could be fabulous.

The series not only handed ABC a hit program, but it reinvigorated the careers of Cherry and the series' female stars.

In addition to the six winners from Desperate Housewives, other nominees of E!'s 2005 "Entertainer of the Year" award included: Chris Rock, Charlize Theron, Jamie Foxx, Jake Gyllenhaal, Kanye West, Mariah Carey, Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Steve Carell, Terrence Howard and Vince Vaughn.

E! Entertainment Television has been bestowing its Entertainer of the Year award since 1990.

Last year's (2004) recipient was Usher. Other past winners include Johnny Depp (2003), Jennifer Aniston (2002), Nicole Kidman (2001), Tom Cruise (2000), Julia Roberts (1999), Helen Hunt (1998), Will Smith (1997), Robin Williams (1996), Jim Carrey (1995), Tom Hanks (1994), Steven Spielberg (1993), Whoopi Goldberg (1992); Arnold Schwarzenegger (1991) and Kevin Costner (1990).