AceShowbiz -

Not willing his baby "Desperate Housewives" to fade away, Marc Cherry is planning an end date of the Emmy-winning series and also his departure from the showrunner post. The creator slash producer slash writer said at the first day of Television Critics Association press tour that he doesn't want to match "Gunsmoke" record.

He confirmed that an end date "is in negotiation", refusing to further talk details. "ABC is talking to people. ...There are meetings going on with agents and stuff, but we're just kind of here doing our work," Cherry stated. He previously said he could see the end of the show in season 7 but later he signed a deal that would make the show run until season 9.

Regarding handing over responsibilities as the showrunner, Cherry said, "I've got a contract that keeps me around ABC for a few more years. I hope [the show will be around] for a couple of more seasons, and my thing is I always will be executive producer and consultant on the show. It's my baby. I can't let go. I have control issues. They can't totally get rid of me."

The plan is someone will take over Cherry's desk job in the upcoming seventh season while he works on a new pilot for ABC. Speaking of his new project, Cherry would only confirm that it will not be set in suburbia.

"Desperate Housewives" airs season 7 on September 26.