SARAH JESSICA PARKER - PARKER'S EMPATHY FOR HOUSEWIVES

SARAH JESSICA PARKER empathises with the stars of DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, after reading media reports of on-set fighting.

During her six years in hit comedy SEX AND THE CITY, Parker and her co-stars KRISTIN DAVIS, CYNTHIA NIXON and KIM CATTRALL suffered constant speculation about their working relationship, despite insisting they're as close as their onscreen personas.

Parker, 40, who remains in regular contact with her former co-stars, accuses the media of wanting female actresses to be bitter rivals, and insists it came as no surprise to read similar stories about the Desperate Housewives beauties.

She says, "You never hear this sort of thing about a male-oriented show. I just think it's more interesting for journalists to report that women can't get along. And frankly it's totally disrespectful because no one puts the same expectations on men.

"But I'm sure the Desperate Housewives will weather it. They'll get savvy.

"And if there are in fact any differences, they'll figure them out. All that matters is that they treat people around them decently."