notes one buzzfeed article has suggested that this accolade has since been surpassed by desperate housewives however this claim has not appeared in any other mainstream publication and it has not been discussed by cast or crew of either series while several of the main cast members of desperate housewives are female two male actors james denton and ricardo antonio chavira have appeared in every episode of the series in the title credits the mixed gender cast is credited together in the first season the series is billed as 'starring terri hatcher' et al steven culp ricardo antonio chavira and james denton' by contrast only female cast members holly marie combs and alyssa milano have appeared in every episode of charmed and have been credited as main cast members in every series the introductory credits bill the series as 'starring shannen doherty holly marie combs and alyssa milano' for seasons or as 'starring alyssa milano rose mcgowan and holly marie combs as piper ' seasons followed by supporting and guest actors while several published monographs including the handbook to life in america by rodney p carlisle rutgers university and the encyclopedia of women in today's world have analysed charmed as 'the longest running show in history featuring female leads' no reference to this accolade in relation to desperate housewives has ever appeared in print aaron spelling brad kern and the cast members milano mcgowan and combs have all publicly recognized and discussed the accolade