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Ugly Betty News

July 4th, 2008

Happy Birthday, Becki Newton!

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Ugly Betty’s Becki Newton has a birthday today!  How cool is it to be born on the 4th of July?  It’s like every year, the whole country just stops everything it’s doing and throws a big party, in honor of you!  Fireworks and everything!

Becki is one of the main reasons I love Ugly Betty.  She is fearless (OK, maybe she did the craziest stuff because she started the show as a relative unknown and basically just did what they told her to do - I guess we’ll see this coming season).  She is drop-dead gorgeous.  And, of course, the producers had no idea what they had when they cast her and Michael Urie in unrelated roles.  Sheer chance brought them together, and for that we are all thankful.

Hopefully, we’ll never see ‘fat Amanda’ again (it was only a bad idea because the producers didn’t give the story enough time to develop - she just showed up large in episode 2.01, How Betty got her Grieve Back and suddenly was ‘normal’ again a few episodes later).  If Silvio Horta is smart (and he is), we’ll see Amanda in more rubber suits, extemporaneously singing, and evilly snickering about office gossip with Marc in season 3.

Becki - happy birthday!

And to all of you reading this in the US, happy Independence Day!

Image: Newscom

By Tom -- 0 comments

July 3rd, 2008

Ugly Betty’s WIlliams, Light Make Emmy Supporting Actress Shortlist

Vanessa Williams

More Emmy 2008 category semi-final lists are coming in, this time Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.  Not surprisingly, Vanessa Williams made the list.  More surprising (to me at least), is the inclusion of Judith Light.  Here is the whole list:

Kristin Chenoweth, “Pushing Daisies”
Conchata Ferrell, “Two and a Half Men”
Jenna Fischer, “The Office”
Jane Krakowski, “30 Rock”
Judith Light, “Ugly Betty”
Elizabeth Perkins, “Weeds”
Amy Poehler, “Saturday Night Live”
Jean Smart, “Samantha Who?”
Holland Taylor, “Two and a Half Men”
Vanessa Williams, “Ugly Betty”

Williams deserves to be here.  One thing about this strange season that most can agree on is that the Ugly Betty writers set Wilhelmina free this year, and Williams ran with it.  She really grew into the role this season, and is now synonymous with the Evil Diva on TV.

Light is a sleeper, but she REALLY grew on Ugly Betty fans this year, especially in her interactions with Betty.  I understand the screener for Light was “I See Me, I.C.U“, and this was a good episode for her.  So who knows?  Maybe she can sneak into a nomination.

It just seems to be a travesty to me, though, that Becki Newton is not on this list.  I don’t know who should be taken off, but Newton should be included!   She was outstanding this year.  Her performance in “Nice Day For A Posh Wedding” was incredible.

Shame on the academy for leaving her out (and Michael Urie too!).

Source: Orlando Sentinel

Image: Newscom

By Tom -- 2 comments

July 2nd, 2008

Video: What If Ugly Betty Were ‘The Facts of Life’?

I absolutely love these Jerry Bradshaw Ugly Betty remixes on YouTube.  This one is my absolute favorite.

The editing and titling are superb.  If I didn’t know better, I’d swear I was watching a promo for a new sitcom called ‘The Facts of Life’.

(Just one small nitpick.  It’s spelled America Ferrera.)  Nevertheless, this one, and the 9 to 5 one were really fun to watch.

Ugly Betty lends itself well to this format because it’s a dramedy.  There are enough wacky, slapstick moments that, if put together, would make the show look like a typical sitcom.  Of course, one could put together the dramatic elements and it would look like the most serious drama ever aired.

Most fun, Jerry!

By Tom -- 1 comment

July 2nd, 2008

Emmys: Michael Urie Snubbed Again?

monaco tv festival 170608 I’ve been waiting to see the shortlist (or “semi-finalists” as they are being called this year) for the 2008 Emmy category Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.

Here is the list, according to The Couch:

Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men
Kevin Dillon, Entourage
Justin Kirk, Weeds
Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother
John Krasinski, The Office
Jack McBrayer, 30 Rock
Tracy Morgan, 30 Rock
Jeremy Piven, Entourage
Fred Willard, Back to You
Rainn Wilson, The Office

 

All I’ve got to say is, you’ve got to be freakin’ kidding me!  Michael Urie was outstanding this year, perfectly bringing out the best in Vanessa Williams, Becki Newton, America Ferrera, and David Blue.  Urie was even funny when he wasn’t given very funny lines earlier this year.

I don’t know who I’d take off the list to put Urie in (probably one of the 30 Rock or Office noms), but he definitely deserves to be in the top 10, at least.

Unbelievable. 

Of course, this year, there is an Emmy for Best Reality Host.  Maybe he’ll be on the shortlist for that one!

Image: Newscom

By Tom -- 5 comments

July 1st, 2008

New Site For Ugly Betty ‘Getty’ Fans

SIFF

I have long been looking to add a site to my blogroll for ‘Getty’ fans (fans of Ugly Betty, particularly of the budding - we think - relationship between the characters Betty and Gio).  I already link to sites for the two other ’ships’:

Thanks to commenter Beatrice B for the heads up; Getty fans have a new, spiffy place: ModeGirl-SandwichGuy.com.  There is a forum, and it’s already pretty active. 

I try to link to, visit, and comment at as many Ugly Betty sites as possible.  I’ll definitely be visiting this one.  I-C and B&B are first class sites, and I have no doubt this one will be also.

Welcome MGSG! (Am I the first to call you that?).

Image: Newscom

By Tom -- 13 comments

July 1st, 2008

Which America Ferrera Episode Did The Emmy Screeners See?

Of course, it’s no secret that Ugly Betty’s America Ferrera is on the Emmy shortlist for Best Actress in a Comedy. If there is an awards show that gives television awards, you can bet that America Ferrera will be nominated in the actress category. And rightly so.

BUT, this year was kind of spotty for Ugly Betty. So, if you want Ferrera to win (and I so desperately DO - we get it, Hollywood, you like Tina Fey - enough already), it would be of concern just which episode was submitted to showcase America’s talents.

I am pleased to let you know that somebody bought a clue and submitted by far the funniest America Ferrera episode of the season: 2.12, Odor In The Court.

I think she has a chance. This was the episode where they just let Ferrera do her thing. Because of the plot (a drugged perfume made her hyperactive and Henry-crazed), she was uncharacteristically the strangest person in the room.

This was a great choice! To refresh your memory, here was one of the best moments from that episode:

Good luck, America!

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By Tom -- 4 comments

June 30th, 2008

Video: Full Trailer For ‘I Love Betty La Fea’ (Philippines)

This is cool!  Here’s the trailer for “I Love Betty La Fea“, the upcoming installment of Ugly Betty in the Philippines. 

 

 

I like how they used Mika’s “Hey Betty (You Are Beautiful)”. 

This version appears to be more slanted toward comedy, with heavy influences from the Columbian telenovela.

I know tastes are cultural, but of all the Bettys we’ve seen around the world, this one seems the most attractive initially - (I think the braces make a huge difference in the American version).  And, let’s face it: Bea Alonzo is such a beautiful young woman, it’s kind of hard to disguise. :)  Not to say America Ferrera is not a beautiful young woman.  Uh…I’ve dug a hole, I’ve better shut up now!

By Tom -- 3 comments

June 27th, 2008

Eric Mabius Back From USO Tour of Gitmo

59th Annual Emmy Awards - Arrivals
Image details: 59th Annual Emmy Awards - Arrivals served by picapp.com

 

Ugly Betty’s Eric Mabius just got back from a USO tour of Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.  He was there with Mike Vogel (Cloverfield) and Hilarie Burton (One Tree Hill).

The trio spent time with the troops, signed autographs, and extended their heartfelt gratitude.

There are some really great photos at the USO web site, including one of Mabius with a female service member with an injured arm - who got her cast signed by the actors.  Lucky girl; hang onto that cast.

On the way back, Mabius and Vogel stopped by Versailles in Miami, while on layover.  According to publicist Tyler Burrow, who was also there, “They had a blast but were exhausted. Eric also talked about his excitement about moving to New York City in two weeks for the new season of Ugly Betty.”

Good work, Eric!

By Tom -- 0 comments

June 27th, 2008

Ugly Betty Makes Emmy ‘Longlist’

For the first time ever, the Emmys have released their “longlist” for the categories of outstanding drama series and outstanding comedy series.  Ugly Betty is on the list for comedy!

The longlist represents the top 10 vote getters for the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards.  The next step in the process happens this weekend, June 28-29: the Blue Ribbon Panel screenings.

The results of those panels, who will watch and judge the work of each finalist, represent 50 percent of the vote. Both results will be averaged together to come up with our five nominees in each category.

Mark your calendars: the results, meaning the actual nominations, will be announced on July 17 at 5:40 am (PDT, I believe).

Now, I’ll say that Ugly Betty deserves to be on this list (the longlist), but it was close.  We all know that the WGA strike absolutely killed Ugly Betty this year.  It literally sucked the creativity out of the show.  It wasn’t until the final two episodes that Ugly Betty started to get on its feet again.  Yes, this malady affected other shows, but it REALLY seemed to hit Betty hard, because there were so many story lines to tie up, combined simultaneously with a ‘redirection’ of the show creatively. 

So, although I think it’s easy to say that Ugly Betty was one of the ten best comedies of the year, it’s MUCH harder to say it was one of the top five.  My heart says yes, and my head says no.

I’ll give you the complete list after the jump.

So, what do you think?  Does Betty deserve a  nomination this year?  What are your top 5?

Read More

By Tom -- 2 comments

June 27th, 2008

Viewers In Philippines Get Sneak Peak Of ‘I Love Betty La Fea’

20061127 UGLYBETTY Since we’re talking about Ugly Betty being a worldwide phenomenon, I thought is was interesting that network ABS-CBN in the Philippines is introducing the cast of the their upcoming show “I Love Betty La Fea“. 

What is really cool is that this version of the show will draw from both the Columbian and the US versions of the show.  That’s absolutely brilliant, I think.

Betty will be played by the lovely Bea Alonzo.  According to this post at the network’s site, here are some of the other characters (there is a definite difference from the US version):

  • Ruffa Gutierrez is Daniella (I think this is a character similar to Wilhelmina)
  • Nicolas is Betty’s male friend and is there for her through thick and thin. He is also physically-challenged.
  • Julia is Betty’s loving mother. She cares for her daughter so much and for her, Betty is the most beautiful woman in the world.
  • Hermes is the kind and supportive father of Betty.
  • Andrew is Betty’s cute and confident younger brother.

According to the release from ABS-CBN, the cast will be introduced on the show “My Girl” on Monday.  “My Girl” is a Korean Asianovela.  I don’t know if this means the cast will be included in the episode of My Girl, or introduced during a break.  I know we have Filipino readers here, so maybe one of you could fill us in.

This really looks fascinating! 

Image: Newscom

By Tom -- 3 comments

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