Showrunner "Desperate" to Leave?

Scandal erupted on the set of Desperate Housewives on Friday when the show's executive producer and showrunner Tom Spezialy walked off the set. According to the Hollywood Reporter, sources indicated that a replacement might be found for Spezialy next season.

The cause of the walkoff was undisclosed, but The Hollywood Reporter described it as "an unspecified falling out." However, behind-the-scenes movements over the weekend must have calmed down Spezialy, as he is expected to return to work today in order to wrap production this week on the dramedy's season finale.

UPDATE: I pulled out my nifty Hollywood rolodex again (well, opened my contacts in Outlook anyway) and came across some rather juicy gossip emanating from the set of Desperate Housewives. According to my well-placed agency sources, there's been much in-fighting among the DH writing staff for quite a while now and that Spezialy's departure may be the first of many from Wisteria Lane.

One rumor has creator Mark Cherry firing most of the staff--including Kevin Murphy--with the exception of four or five allies such as John Pardee and Joey Murphy, the show's co-executive producers. One possible replacement for Spezialy that's being thrown around: Frasier's Bob Daily (he's currently on CBS comedy Out of Practice).

Only time will tell if the above rumor becomes full-blown fact, but stay tuned.

As a former viewer of Desperate Housewives, I find it rather vindicating that the behind-the-scenes scandals have become far more interesting than any of Susan's pratfalls. Perhaps a spinoff called Desperate Showrunners?