Eric Mabius: No To Daniel-Betty Pairing on Ugly Betty
March 26, 2009 by Tom
Eric Mabius just ain’t feelin’ the Detty. In an AP report, he was asked about a possible scenario on Ugly Betty where Daniel Meade and Betty Suarez end up together.
That would be the equivalent of us jumping the shark," he says. He mentions that the various incarnations of the show throughout the world have the two becoming a pair, and it usually means the end of the show.
"In all the other series … they get married and the show ends! I’m not too excited about that idea!,” says Mabius.
Now, I’ll agree to a point. Daniel and Betty, IMHO, should NOT become a pair in any episode but the series finale. Were it to happen, such an event would be the climax of a show we must assume has already had its fate decided by the network. Maybe at the end of season 4, or if there’s some dramatic ratings turnaround, the end of season 5 or 6.
I see what Mabius is saying, of course. When he sees a Daniel/Betty kiss in the script, he’ll know the writing is on the wall for the show. Fair enough. Neither Mabius, nor us fans, want the end to come anytime soon.
I think the bigger jumping-the-shark moment will be if they ever have one of those scenes where Betty gets made over and emerges looking like America Ferrera at the Emmys. If they do this, and then whichever male she’s after falls in love with her as a result, I’ll shoot my TV. The whole premise of the show all these years will have been ruined.
No, her prince must fall for her as she is, IMHO. OK, the braces can go, because the consensus is that it’s so unrealistic for her to still have them, it’s a distraction.
Whomever Betty ends up with, my fantasy of the final scene involves either a montage or actual musical number with Betty and crew dancing down the street to Jimmy Soul’s If You Wanna Be Happy. What a scene that would be!
Eric Mabius and America Ferrera have both been saying this since the series began. The way he words it, though, makes it sound as if in the various international adaptations the wedding of Betty and her boss somehow brought about the end of each series, when in actuality the wedding was planned to be the finale of each series. Since “Ugly Betty” is so different from every other version, I don’t mind if it ends differently from the others, but I also wouldn’t mind if they came up with a believable way to bring Betty and Daniel together at the end of the series. If we get five more episodes this season, we’ll be at episode 65. If next season gets 22 episodes, that will bring us up to 87. Then all we would need for the show to reach the magical syndication total of 100 episodes is a fifth season of at least 13 episodes. I wish that ABC would promise to give them a fifth season in 2010-2011 during which they would be able to concoct some kind of an “end game” for their characters, they way that ABC has allowed the creators of “Lost” to plot out how they’re going to wrap up their series next season.
“I wish that ABC would promise to give them a fifth season in 2010-2011 during which they would be able to concoct some kind of an “end game” for their characters, they way that ABC has allowed the creators of “Lost” to plot out how they’re going to wrap up their series next season.”
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*nods* I agree with you, SirLizard. I also heard that other shows have ‘pre-determined’ endings as well, like “Desperate Housewives” and “Nip/Tuck” – both of which will end in 2011. So, here’s hoping ABC will give UB the chance to pre-plan its ending, too. Personally, I can’t imagine this show not having some kind of satisfying closure. I think Betty deserves her happy ending – and yes, I want Daniel to be by her side when she gets it.
Oh come on! You actually believe that ABC would cancel UB after next season if it suddenly makes a return to the ratings of season 1 and 2? Believe me, *anything* is possible in showbiz and that *includes* Gio or even Henry being with Betty at series end. When it happens. Perhaps after season 6 or 7? 8?
Who would have thought Full House, Who’s The Boss or Perfect Strangers went on for as long as they did? Look at the longevity of The Simpsons. Mormons and fundementalists were calling for its head in spring 1991 before yours truly told Davis, California city mayor’s kid to shove it down her skinhead (inside joke) sports bra, that Groening was a Mormon. Urkel was so prolific that after it was cancelled on ABC, CBS I think picked it up for another 3 seasons. Just believe in power of the nerd and UB will run longer than Married… With Children or Cheers.
LOL! Gio Bravo, no one ever said UB was going to end NEXT season. XD Seriously, some people really need to read more closely before commenting…
SirLizard and MJ make interesting points, in my opinion. This show is the kind that needs to have an ending that’s thought out in advance. They can’t just wing it with this show. I agree – Betty needs to have a proper, satisfying ending, so it’s better if the network makes a deal with UB’s creative team and announces, “UB will officially end in 201?”. (Fill in whatever year you think is appropriate. For my part, I’d be thrilled if this show had a 6 or 7 season run.) That way, everyone will have an idea of what to look forward to, without too much worry.
Gio Bravo, of course I don’t think that ABC would cancel UB if the ratings were to go up. I know how TV networks operate. It’s all a ratings game. Networks don’t make a habit of canceling shows that have high ratings (the most famous exception being in 1970-1971 when CBS purged its lineup of highly rated “rural” programming, which included “Beverly Hillbillies”, “Green Acres”, “Petticoat Junction”, and “Mayberry, RFD”, all in an effort to change the network’s image.). Since I don’t have any reason to expect that UB’s ratings will just spontaneously skyrocket next year, I am just tossing around the fantasy that perhaps ABC will offer UB the same chance for an “end game” that they’ve given to “Lost”. I’m a realist. That said, I’ve also fantasized that since Salma Hayek is married to a billionaire, she could just toss some money at ABC to get them to keep the show on until it reaches the coveted 100th episode.
COME ON,THAT NOT FAIR.PLEASE ABC PUT UGLY BETTY FIFTH SEASON IN 2010-2011,PLEASE.America Ferrera is very best actress and great on Ugly Betty.
I dont want Betty and Daniel get together,because he alway go out sex with different many woman.
Personnally I am not really liking the show this season (I did like it a few weeks back, but I really hated the last episode…sorry to anyone who disagrees) But I want the show to have it’s chance to be magnificent again
Love that song, always makes me laugh
I don’t necessary mind the Detty paring AS LONG as it’s done well…but I’m biased in wanting it to be Getty end game.
And I agree with Tom and the song…that would top things off perfectly
“No, her prince must fall for her as she is”
Uh, HELLO?!?!??!?!?!?!
Does ANYONE remember HENRY?!?!?!?!?!
You know the one who did JUST THAT?!
I’m sorry, I may seem like I am still not over this yet, but they had that.
I do agree though to an extent. I really do not think Detty is in the cards for this edition of Betty. They have become to close of friends to become more than that and it will just be awkward and not rewarding. Plus I agree about the whole makeover thing. This season already has been a dissapointment to an extent, I am hoping that the execs will get their common sense back and bring back the “heart” they always keep saying!
But Of ocurse its only an opinion and everyone has a right to it.
Me? An angry shipper?! NOOO! loljk
From BD: “I really do not think Detty is in the cards for this edition of Betty.”
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Oh, it’s coming. All in good time, of course.
And I can’t wait for it to happen!
Just think of it this way: There’s been a pattern in the way things have gone for Daniel and Betty. Haven’t you ever noticed that their tastes in love interests have changed over time – to the point that they’re now more interested in people who are like each other? Molly = Betty. Daniel = Matt. You figure it out.
But for now, I’ll wait patiently. ;D For the time being, however, I think it’s fun to see these ‘red herrings’. LOL.
Sorry Deb. I think it was a bit of generalizing on my part to say next season. I meant it like “pfft, oh sure like its really happening.” Do I wanna bet on anything? Depends on the odds. Maybe I *allegedly* speak out of term “incoherently” but its not anymore disrespectful than how this season has *knowingly* been handled. My comments are not meant to single out any person in particular unless particular people hit too close to home onscreen.
Then its anyone’s ballgame. Which relates directly to the aforementioned handling of this season’s episodes. Matt’s mom might as well give Betty tickets to see the play Zoot Suit after commenting how the help didn’t want them. Or maybe I’m just sitting here eating caramels instead of coffee, thinking about apples.
I don’t care if Eric mabius wants Daniel end Betty together or not!! All I care is for the writers to feel the Detty!!!! Oh, I can’t wait to see the first Detty kiss!!! This is the reason I’m watching the show!!!If they never fall in love it would be awful!!!!
Well said, Sir Lizard! Haha! Sorry for my second post last night. I must’ve had a bit too much Guinness extra stout chased with Pepsi. For those of you without much knowledge of my company, I’m kind of like a mad scientist when it comes to combining tastes. Not unlike one of the characters in Accepted who blew up the cafeteria *with* taste. However in my case, I’ve been known to place prosciutto, salami and feta cheese and jalapenos on pizza. It tastes really good but used to make fellow pizza employees go “=/” or something. I’d like to see Gio top that one. j/k I’m not against a Detty relationship but I think that Betty is better suited for Gio. Daniel needs someone more his speed. I think he’d be great with a girl that knows sports stats, can drink irish car bombs with the big boys and would really, really make Alexis smirk. There needs to be in Alexis’ place for now, a character like her that plays up the noob at Mode magazine role that has been there with varying characters since series began.
Connor and Molly seem to have been brought in like established characters. Perhaps now maybe we’ll see a wilder side to Molly since she knows she’ll die? Why not make her similar to Billy and the Billy Girls on Ally McBeal. *teasing*
That would be a kick. I still wanna see Mrs. Meade back Matt’s mom off of Betty. That would just top the season, imo. I’ve talked with others and its been agreed they don’t show Claire enough considering the sacrifice she did for Bradford by confessing to the crime after Alexis had him arrested for killing Faye. She should hold more power than either Daniel or Wilhemina with Hot Flash maybe having its own comedic moments ala’ the missing telenovela (R.I.P.) scenes. *bows head in moment of silence for Telenovelas and introductory “previously” moments like those shown on every Gilmore Girls episode for all seasons of the series. Blows nose loudly with hankerchief.*
I’d die to hear what Suzuki St. Pierre would say about a more recent Hot Flash related publicity stunt.
Ally-
As much as I know a lot of people would love to see it, but when I say that its not in cards, it’s not!
Juts look at this edition in comparision with the others. This one is so completely different from the others, with the adding of more and amazing characters, different plot twists and the overall feel of the show…
If they started the romantic tension say, in the first episode, then it would work, but this Betty?Daniel duo is much too platonioc to even have hints of romance in it.
Betty has her preferances…She liked Matt before she knew he had $$$. If they just out of the blue, doll her up and turn into someone she is not, the whole point of the show is moot.
Of course, it’s only one persons opinion. To each its own.
BD mentioned – “As much as I know a lot of people would love to see it, but when I say that its not in cards, it’s not!…If they started the romantic tension say, in the first episode, then it would work, but this Betty?Daniel duo is much too
platonioc to even have hints of romance in it.”
Although I’m not completely hooked on any ’ship’ at this point, I will say this out of fairness: To each ‘his/her’ own is true. On that note, to say “it’s not in the cards” is really your opinion and not fact, BD.
Frankly, I think it’s very sad that too many people are sold on the idea that any romance must include upfront, obvious sexual tension in order for it to work. I hardly think that’s the case in every single case. Seriously – since when did sex and initial physical attraction become the norm leading to ‘happily ever after’? I don’t think you’ve considered the possibility that romance, in general, can also happen between two people when least expected. After all, people often change and grow over time, so the interests and tastes they had before will not always stay the same.
With that in mind, I’m going to give Daniel and Betty a fair shake here and say that the door is still very much open to anything happening between then. Considering the time and effort the writers have put into establishing their friendship/relationship, I find it hard to believe that it’s all for naught. I just have this inkling that they’re saving any possible Daniel/Betty romance for last, as the climactic high point of the show. (Logically speaking, that would also be the smart way to go, in order to avoid ‘jumping the shark’ too soon.)
If this is the case, perhaps this show isn’t meant to be completely different from the original/other ‘Betty’ versions as some may think. Rather, it may just be that the UB writers are using a different, longer ‘road’ to get to the same destination as its predecessor(s).
Just look this Daniel/Betty fan video by mimi31270 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF5ent_XoV0
It’s awesome!!! I love the idea of Detty!!!
Jace, once again you have represented my own thoughts and feelings so well that I don’t have to add a single word… Thanks.
Listen, if you could get Robert Plant to do a rendition of Big Log featuring Los Lobos on backup during the episode where Daniel and Betty fall for each other then maybe it might work. *sarcastic* Otherwise, its doomed to fail because it’d set the stage for an onscreen Camelot where Daniel becomes JFK. j/k Or maybe that was *some* people’s intention all along. >.< Back off! *teasing* B)-~~~
Most fans want a Detty romance. I think the best kind of relationship is when good friends get into a romantic relationship with each other.
I understand they want to prolong the show as much as possible, but I don’t see why they can’t write their romance over a two or three season period…a very slow romance as if they don’t even realize they’re falling in love with each other at first, throw a couple of cliffhangers in there.
If the writers are skillful, then they can construct the romance in a way that will increase the ratings for a few seasons. If the last episode of the show is them getting together, that is really not a satisfying ending to me, because most fans want to see where their romance leads. A romance between Betty and Daniel does not have to mean the end of the show. Besides, they really have to do something to increase the ratings or there won’t be a fifth season.
Heather, I am not personally against a Betty/Daniel pairing, if it is done well, but I don’t know how accurate your statement is when you say, “Most fans want a Detty romance.” I don’t know what you’re basing that on. So far, it has been my experience that the number of anti-Detty fans is either as large as, or is larger than, the pro-Detty fans.
It would be a mistake. Men like Daniel don’t fall for homely women like Betty, no matter how nice they are. It is already stretching it to have about half a dozen men falling in love with Betty. (Yes, I know we women would rather that men love us for our minds rather than our looks, but looks do matter).
Laura, from personal observation I have to say that I disagree with you. I have known Daniel types who have indeed fallen for girls whom many people might consider to be unattractive. Unfortunately, many of these young women have had a difficult time feeling as if they weren’t good enough for the guy, so the insecurity caused a lot of problems. So not all Casanovas are irredeemable. There are some who are capable of finding depth in themselves after having lived a youthful life of superficiality. Can you honestly say that you’ve never seen a good looking guy walking in a shopping mall with a girlfriend who seemed somewhat unattractive? I’ve seen couples who have passed by and I’ve overheard other people saying, “What does he see in her?” And the people saying such things have almost always been other women. Anyway, my point is that Daniel falling for Betty (even though I don’t see this happening any time soon) could be handled believably with good writing.
Not to get too grad school on you here, but one of the major themes for male-POV romance in literature is the man whose love for a woman makes her finally see how she beautiful and desirable, even if she feels unloveable.
Think Don Quixote and Dulcinea.
BTW, the female version of this is the Beauty and The Beast story line. A woman’s beauty is so great, she is able to tame the wild and dangerous man.
Think Twilight. This seems to be a common female fantasy, which explains why I, as a “nice guy” had a hard time getting dates back in the day.
Daniel and Betty definitely seem to have a connection- I think an end- of- series pairing would be PERFECT. However, it has to be the very very end, or it might not work. All shows end eventually, and when UB does, that’s how it should go!!!!
I’m with the folks arguing for an end date and a Daniel/Betty pairing. I’ve never been on a particular ship, but since I’ve always understood Ugly Betty to be at least partly a fairy tale about inner beauty (I don’t think its an accident that Betty’s favorite movie is “Beauty and the Beast”), I sort of expected the Beast, in this case Daniel, to be transformed along the way by our heroine, as he has been. But it doesn’t seem quite complete without the third act romance.
I wondered for awhile if there were hints along the way of Daniel secretly being in love with Betty: he did have a rather vivid dream of her seducing him when jealous Renee was around and Claire seems to have (at least jokingly) suggested it to him this season. In any case, I think we’re being twisted and teased somehwere here, which keeps the story fun and interesting.
If Daniel and Betty don’t fall in love, I stop watching!
A Daniel/Betty series finale would be perfect!! If they hooked up with several seasons of the show left, it would turn into a cliche,but if they didn’t get together at all, a large coningent of fans (including me!) would be disappointed. But a last season get-together? Awesome! (It would also be nice since the original ‘Betty la Fea’ ended with that pairing).