Ugly Betty To Get Arabic Makeover

Ugly Betty is quickly becoming a franchise. It started with the Columbian telenovella version Yo soy Betty, la fea. Then, the Mexican La fea más bella. Of course ABC Americanised the show into the hit is is today. Now, we find that Betty is going to the middle east:

An Arabic version of the hit US comedy ‘Ugly Betty’ is set to entertain Middle East audiences thanks to TV network Dubai Media Incorporated.

The broadcaster is currently in negotiations with Disney to bring the show to the region, with the possibility that it may be filmed at Dubai Studio City.

This is is not an edited version, this is a Dubai-produced version of Ugly Betty, with local sensibilites:

Hussain Lootah, CEO of DMI, which includes Dubai TV, Dubai One, Dubai Sports and Sama Dubai, said: “Our strategy is to produce local, GCC and Arabic series to international standards, and we have started with that. For example, we are in the process of negotiation right now with Disney to produce a version of ‘Ugly Betty’ in Arabic, with Disney standards.”

A dubbed version of ‘Ugly Betty’ currently runs on pay-TV channel Show Shasha, but this would be the first time the series has been adapted for an Arabic-speaking audience.

This is something I can’t wait to see on YouTube. Dubai, if you didn’t know, is quite cosmopolitan: I understand there is a thriving fashion industry there, which I think is key in making Ugly Betty believable. And maybe the Dubai Ugly Betty can make a guest appearance on the ABC show, just as Angela Vale did in season 1.

Source: Brand Republic