Just can’t get enough of those ‘Housewives’

As the beloved television industry ritual known as the “upfronts” draws to a close, our intrepid team continues to rove the Big Apple, searching for big news, boldface names and free hors d’oeuvres. Complete coverage is online at calendarlive.com/tvupfront. Some excerpts from the last few days:

Dis du jour

CBS’ Les Moonves had this to say Wednesday about NBC’s claim that it’s tops with advertisers’ favorite demographic, rich young people: “The only 18-to-34-year-old upscale people I know are my children. And trust me, I’m doing the buying.”

Partywatch

ABC had big screens at its party Tuesday night pointing ad-buyers to the real draw: celebrities. Tragically, in the din, under the big tent against the band shell at Lincoln Center, amid the lavish sushi and shrimp banquet, Chris Harrison, host of “The Bachelor,” lingered in solitude. But the “Desperate Housewives” weren’t lonely. The crowd around them was 10 deep, advertisers viciously body-checking to get near. (Possibly because this was as close as it gets to getting a piece of this action for free.)

‘Lost’ housewives

The “Lost” cast not only posed tirelessly with fans at the ABC party but also cheerfully tapped their feet all evening to the relentless beat of the Jackson Five’s “ABC.” But the gals of Wisteria Lane fled after 90 minutes, leaving a velvet rope dangling around six empty stools. “Teri [Hatcher] was so nice and excited, but the redhead wasn’t that friendly,” media buyer Amanda Safer, 22, groused about Marcia Cross.

Espanol watch I

Orale! A miniseries based on that long, long song about the guy who gets shot by a hooker! Telemundo made its presentation, too, on Tuesday, with developments on the drama-but-not-a-telenovela front. On deck this fall will be “Envios” (“Dispatches”) about immigrants in the U.S. supporting families back in the old country, and “Loteria,” which, according to their press release, “takes a look at what happens to people who become millionaires overnight by simply winning the lotto.”

Also interesting, a new miniseries, “Pedro Navaja,” which is based on the 1970s salsa masterpiece by singer-actor Ruben Blades.

Espanol watch II

Also presenting was Si TV, the little L.A.-based bilingual cable channel that is pretty much the hottest little thing in Latin TV right now. And you gotta admit -- some of these new shows would be enough to make you want to brush up on your Spanish if Si TV didn’t broadcast mostly in English. Here’s an excerpt from their new-show roster:

* “L:-)L, Laugh Out Loud,” a 30-minute sketch comedy show featuring “The Big Fat Giant Gigante Show,” a spoof on Univision’s “Sabado Gigante.”

* “Urban Jungle 2: Straight Into Compton,” which in its second season raises the stakes by transplanting 12 privileged suburbanites to experience life as an immigrant in Compton.

* “SLAM,” the first television competition to expose a new world of talented performers who will compete in freestyle rapping, dancing, spoken word, and head-to-head comedy.

Sightings

Melanie Griffith of the new sitcom “Twins” and her husband (no, not Don Johnson! Antonio Banderas!) at the WB party, which didn’t start until 9 p.m., at the W Hotel.... Stephen Collins, the reverend dad from WB’s “7th Heaven,” which has now been on television for 10 years, longer than “The Waltons,” also at the WB party. (Touche, John Boy).... Ashton Kutcher, sans Demi Moore, in a corner with his baseball cap pulled down low.... One of the “geeks” from his “Beauty and the Geek,” surrounded by four women.... James Spader and William Shatner, side by side in a shoulder clasp, at the ABC party, checking out the ladies.... Donald Sutherland, who has a key role in “Commander-in-Chief,” also at the ABC festivities.... Plus: Walt Disney Co.’s Bob Iger, who ascends to the CEO job this fall, looking tired but happy as ABC’s daddy.... The cast of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” being mobbed.... Tabloid-hounded actor Andy Dick of “Less Than Perfect”.... Television work-horse Courtney Thorne-Smith, once of “Melrose Place,” now of “According to Jim”.... Jim Belushi, of the aforementioned ABC vehicle.

This report was written by Times staff writer Shawn Hubler, with dispatches from staff writers Maria Elena Fernandez, Matea Gold, Meg James and Amy Wallace in New York.