 The problem was nobody else thought the flamboyant actor was right for the show.Mapa was repeatedly called back to audition, but it wasn't until the zero hour that he was finally cast and the character was re-conceived to suit him.It's also worth noting that after the series was canceled, Mapa guest-starred on Cherry's "Desperate Housewives" as a character named Vern; it is unknown if this was intended to be the same character or merely an inside-joke.