New ABC Chief Masterfully Dodges ‘Second Fattest Housewife’ Title Change Question

Channing Dungey just put on a clinic during her first upfronts conference call

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Channing Dungey may be new to the upfronts, but she’s no spring chicken when it comes to spinning off from a controversial question.

During a Tuesday media conference call, the new ABC Entertainment boss was asked why pilot “The Second Fattest Housewife in Westport” is now a series suddenly called “American Housewife.”

One reporter posed: “I know titles change, but is it not possible on network TV to call something ‘The Second Fattest Housewife in Westport?’”

Dungey didn’t seem to get the question.

The journalist then got a bit more to the (fairly obvious) point: “Were you worried about offending people? It feels sort of [like] a more generic title [now].”

Think that was answered directly and honestly? Think again.

“What we love about the character Katie, played by Katie Mixon, is that she feels very universal and very relatable,” Dungey said. “And what we love about ‘American Housewife’ is that it feels like it could speak for housewives from New York to Los Angeles, from Boise to Miami.”

“It feels very universal, and that’s part of what we like about the show,” Paul Lee’s replacement concluded her generic answer to a very specific question. She learned from the best, we suppose.

The reporter then offered what felt like a very dissatisfied — but knowing — “Thank You.” Then again, Dungey came off so likable over the call, perhaps the writer truly was satisfied. Either way, we enjoyed it.

ABC’s upfront event takes place this afternoon at 4 p.m. ET. “American Housewife” is set to air Tuesdays this fall at 8:30 p.m.

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