The writing and acting were good (the dialog, especially Marc’s, was outstanding). The story lines all moved forward (except Amanda and Christina), and Betty had to work her way out of an embarassing situation, which is always fun to watch.

When Matt stood up to his mother, his character won over a lot of fans in the live blog. I really like Claire as the socialite sage (the East Side Cows barb still has me laughing). And Archie and Hilda are great together (especially after they agreed how awkward a situation they were in because of the Suarezes matchmaking). And Wilhelmina’s story line had Vanessa Williams vamping at her funniest.

All of this being said, I should have loved the episode, but I can only say I liked it. Maybe it was the lack of Amanda – especially with Marc. Maybe it was the fact that the final confrontation with Matt’s mom seemed so lukewarm. Maybe it’s because the writers seemed to be treading water in the Daniel/Molly relationship.

I don’t know. I still think the episode was better than average, but doesn’t quite fall into the ‘great’ category.

What do you think? I’ve created a poll just to find out!

n

Image: Bauer-Griffin

Post from: Ugly Betty News

So the silence lately has been worrisome.

I know it’s not just at Ugly Betty News. I scour the web for ANY new or discussion about Ugly Betty. As much as I’d like to say it’s just here at Ugly Betty News, it’s not.

I think part of it, if y’all are like I am, is that we can’t quite tell how to feel about the episode. We expected drama, but the writers held off until the final 15 minutes, and then it went on longer than normal for an Ugly Betty episode. (Normally, they hit-and-run us).

However, this was, I think, a transistional episode, setting up the story lines for the 2nd half of the season. The love quadrangle worked for me (as long as they keep it moving), Marc’s humiliation will drive him to begin the process of leaving Wilhelmina’s shadow, Betty’s work/home tension will be this season’s Henry/Gio (will she? won’t she?).

I liked the episode, but it certainly wouldn’t go in my top ten. Although the Suzuki St Pierre scene in Jersey goes down in my list of funniest moments in the show, ever.

SO what did you think about the episode?

n

Post from: Ugly Betty News

Since my pretty negative Ugly Betty poll last week, I feel I should follow through with the promised positive one. For all my bellyaching and nitpicking, the third season of Ugly Betty is shaping up to be a great one – even up there with the first half of season 1.

For you numbers geeks like me, the ratings have been creeping up as well. This is a surprise, I expected a long, small erosion all season (as is the case with many shows beyond the first season). Now, the decline could still happen – they always get temporarily worse around Thanksgiving, but it would appear that Ugly Betty is pretty much holding its audience.

So what have we liked about season 3?

Betty’s new direction. OK, this on is pretty contoversial, but I really like Betty’s character more this year. The season 2 stories were interesting, but I can only take so much of Angsty Betty. Now, she’s an optimistic, if not hapless, young lady. She lost her mind a little bit in 3.06, Crush’d, but that just shows she’s human. The romantic entanglements with come, but, I’d like to see her make a few dreams come true first.

Daniel and Wilhelmina. Forcing Daniel and Wilhelmina to work together was genius, if a little unbelievable. The tension is incredible as the pair simultaneously try to undermine one another and work together to put out the best product. The introduction of Connor has only emphasised this more.

Crazy Amanda. You know, I’ll be honest. I’ve always liked the fact that Amanda is subconsciously obsessed with Betty. I really don’t care for the fact that they’ve turned it slighly sexual (especially at Mode After Hours), but the overall jist of it is fun to watch. Besides the obsession, Amanda has actually seemed more comfortable in her skin this year. This allows her to do all kinds of crazy things (like traipsing around Mode after hours totally naked), and she does them with confidence .

Soft Wilhelmina. The Connor character has been good for Wilhelmina, I think. Although I have no doubt she’ll come out of her latest heartbreak colder and meaner.

DJ (and Daniel). Having DJ around in the early part of season 3 helped change Daniel; that kid was adorable. Daniel is more mature, while not becoming cynical like his father. I even liked the short stint at Player; Daniel was FUN there. The Detty moment in 3.06 was wonderfully written and acted. I know they can’t do it every week, but Eric Mabius and America Ferrera have a wonderful (platonic) chemistry, and they are at their best encouraging one another.

The guest stars. As usual, Ugly Betty uses its guest stars better than any other show on television (taste that, 30 Rock!) As crazy as it seemed at the time with Lindsay Lohan, her last appearance on the show was an intriguing, fun episode. That one also had Adriana Lima, who was gorgeous and gracious. Eddie Cibrian was a good addition, even though i didn’t care for his story. Ralph Macchio absolutely HAS to come back. Val Emmich was a pleasant surprise. None of the guest stars this year have seemed as gimmicky as last season’s appearance by Christian Siriano.

Of course there are a thousand other things to love about this season: the Suarezes (even though they haven’t gotten much screen time this season), the return of Cliff, the fact that they let Gio patch things up with Betty, the surprise ending in 3.03, and I’m sure you have many more.

So,let me ask you – what’s your favorite thing about Ugly Betty season 3 so far?

Post from: Ugly Betty News

But, I’d imagine that most of you generally like the show in season 3, but have nitpicks here and there. And, since I haven’t put up poll in a LONG time, what better subject than pet peeves? (This will also prove to you that I’ve been paying attention to the comments).

So, here’s the question, what one thing are you most disappointed about in Ugly Betty’s third season so far?  (Don’t worry, if I remember to do it, I’ll post the opposite, more positive poll next week). 

Off the top of my head, I can think of several biggies that have drawn the most comments:

• The lack of closure of the romance story lines from season 2. This is probably the only issue in which Benry and Getty fans agree.  To those who mostly watched the show because of one of the romances, the season premiere left much to be desired.  Although Gio’s story line was given a better (and open-ended) ending in episode 3.04 (Betty Suarez Land), still, after all the buildup last year, many of you (especially Henry fans) were quite frustrated because your favorite character suffered from premature ejection.
• Lindsay Lohan – There has been a pretty large consensus that Lilo’s guest appearances have not been very good.  I actually disagree.  Don’t get me wrong; I HATE Kimmie.  Of course, I think I’m supposed to hate her.  Assuming Lohan was going for the Mach 2 Cady in Mean Girls, let’s face it, she succeeded.  BUT, I know many of you have hated this story line.
• Speaking of hating story lines, it’s been almost unanimous that the Hilda/Coach Diaz affair has been hard to watch.Although I enjoyed the mistaken identity in 3.04, very little about this story line was funny or compelling.
• Betty’s new fashion and attitude.  I was surprised at the negative comments there were about this.  The fashionistas hated it because Betty was a little too fashionable, many longtime fans wondered how Betty could make such a quick personality change (although I must admit, I liked it).
• Alexis’ departure.  Although we knew this was coming for a while, the way it was handled disappointed many.  Now, I was quite pleased that Silvo Horta accepted our quirky idea that Alexis should be the father of DJ, but they sure sprung it on us at an unorthodox time.
• Something else – Many didn’t like DJ’s departure.  Some don’t like the introduction of Jessie.  Many (including me) aren’t happy that is is taking so long to get Cliff back on screen.  Plus, there’s the unspoken subtext that the writers are going to “go there” with Justin this year (I think a year too soon – I’ll have more on this later). 

If your most disappointing “thing” is “something else”, please let me know in the comments. Now it’s your turn:

Image: Newscom

Post from: Ugly Betty News

Now, we focus on the Henry/Gio/Betty love triangle here, but there are going to be many story lines in season 3 left over from the season 2 finale that are almost as compelling. I wonder, which one are you looking forward to the most?

Plus, we have ongoing subtexts, like Amanda’s father (who she is no longer searching for), and Justin’s discovery of himself.

So, what storyline (aside from the love triangle) are you most looking forward to?

Image: Newscom

Post from: Ugly Betty News

What she is wearing is noticeably not-quite-fashionable, yet is pleasing to the eye nonetheless. 

It looks like this new Carrie-Bradshaw-wannabe Betty will be present from the very first episode in season 3.

I’ll be honest:  the whole idea is growing on me.  It’s Betty, yet it’s not her at the same time.  It reminds me of when my wife gets a drastically different haircut – she’s familiar, yet mysterious at the same time.

I know many have problems with this direction.  It is awful sudden, and it kind of goes against the Betty ethos that clothes do not make the person.  I hear you, and on a certain level I agree.

However, I think this new ‘un-style’ of Betty’s is serving two purposes:

1. It lets Betty grow as a person, even though she’s not quite sure what she’s doing.
2. It is a visible and outward sign that the show is going to go in a radically new direction from season 2.

Finally – see what Betty’s wearing again?  Her Boleyn “B”!

So, now I leave it up to you.  What do you think?  Do you like the fact that Betty is attempting to be more fashionable?

Image: Newscom

Post from: Ugly Betty News

My opinion? I don’t think Betty went to Rome or Tucson. I believe the plane that they showed at the very end of the episode was a ruse. I think Betty left home to get her own place. This is based on several interviews with America Ferrera and Silvio Horta about Betty’s future. She’s going to “evolve” – and I believe that instead of Betty becoming more pretty and fashion-conscious (which would be suicide for the show), I think she’s going to become more independent.

If this does happen, I’d imagine she’ll still spend a great amount of time at the Suarez house, because there has been no indication that I can remember that Betty knows how to cook. This gives Ignacio something to do, besides arguing with Hilda over her seeing a married man.

So what do you think: who did Betty choose? Not who you WANTED her to choose (I think everyone’s been pretty clear on that ), but what do you think we’ll discover in the fall? Also, let me know what you think of this (most were quite upset at the idea of Betty NOT ending up with one of the two men). Also, it’ll be a long summer – I’ll wait to discuss which one is going to be back next season. But, what do you think Betty did?

Image: Newscom

Post from: Ugly Betty News

Let’s just say that the rumor we reported yesterday is true. And let’s say that our guess about the “father” of the mystery French 13 year old boy is true.

Now, look at this photo:

The last time I posted it, one of you commented that it looked like Rebecca Romijn had a baby bump. I brushed it off – all of us take bad photos every now and then; somebody can get the right angle and show a skewed view of reality.

But the drip, drip, drip of news concerning Romijn and Alexis has caused me to look again.

I really think it’s quite possible that Rebecca Romijn is pregnant.

More (and a poll) after the jump.

Why else would she become “part time?”. Move away (assuming she goes to France)? Why did the photo above appear as if she had a baby bump?

We reported some time ago that Jerry O’Connell and Romjin had plans for a baby. Is this it?

If so, let me be the first to congratulate the beautiful couple!

So, what do you think?

Post from: Ugly Betty News

We’ve got a new poll up, and this one is pretty important, at least to me. This strike-shortened season of Ugly Betty has had two major story lines: Wilhelmina’s attempts to take over Meade Publications, and Betty’s romantic life. In the romantic department, most of the action has been between Betty and Henry, but Silvio Horta and the producers have not quite been subtle in presenting Gio as another option. (There have been a few moments between Daniel and Betty, but thinking they are anything but platonic is wishful thinking).

Now, Horta has said that we can “expect an expiration date” on the Betty/Henry relationship, but that’s pretty darned vague, if you ask me. There have also been hints here and there that the whole love Betty love triangle will be resolved.

…but when? We really don’t know what the producers are thinking, but what about you? We’ve got five episodes left in season 2; should the drama/romance continue into next season, or should it be decided, one way or the other? After the jump, I’ll list the main pro and cons to ending it this year (the poll is there, too!):

I fall in the latter camp. I want to see both Henry and Gio back next season – even if one of them ends up being “just friends”. (And I’ve been in these situations before – there is no such thing for an ex-lover, or secret love, as “just friends”). Now, it’s your turn!

As a side note, It tickles me that many Benry fans think I’m on the Getty team, and just as many Getty fans think I’m on the Benry ship. (Truth be told, I lean to Detty now, as long as it happens in season 8! But, that’s another post). Anyway, like I said, I like both characters, and can imagine a nice romance with either one.

Post from: Ugly Betty News

First, a quick recap of what’s happened so far:

Week One: Ten contestants, all of them having something to do with Meade Publications, were dropped into the fashion wilderness of Queens, NY.  The teams were divided as follows:

1. Red Team
• Betty Suarez
• Wilhelmina Slater
• Cliff St. Paul
• Alexis Meade
• Henry Grubstick
2. Blue Team
• Marc St James
• Daniel Meade
• Christina McKinney
• Amanda Sommers
• Nick Pepper

Now, you might think being in Queens was an unfair advantage to Betty, but, as you know, on Fashion TV Survivor, nothing is ever as it seems. 

The challenge in the first episode was to find a place to get good sausage and peppers.  Betty, followed by Henry,  (and surprisingly, Daniel), found them right away.  Wilhelmina bribed a street vendor and got directions, arriving shortly after Betty and Daniel.  Cliff was already there, and was on his second helping.  Christina arrived next, and Amanda and Nick were last, because they had spent most of the allotted time making out.  Alexis did not find the restaurant at all.

Betty got immunity, and one member of the blue team had to be eliminated.  At the tribal council, Christina got voted off, mainly because most were worried about a pregnant woman performing harrowing stunts and eating spicy food.

Week Two:   Every contestant had to write and perform an original song at The Beer Hole.  Notables were Marc’s “Coming Out Again”, and Henry’s “I’m Bananas For Betty”.  Amanda, of course, stole the show with a re-performance of “Gene Simmons Is My Daddy”.  Wilhelmina sang “Save The Worst For First” (which sounded vaguely like an 80’s slow-dance song).  Cliff surprised everyone with the heavy-metal “Spikes In The Eyes”.  Nick and Alexis did not participate.  The celebrity judge, Betty White, deemed the Blue team the winner.  Alexis was eliminated from the red team.

The rest of the season recap is after the jump!  Don’t forget to vote!

Week Three: TWO contestants were eliminated this week!  The team members had to work together to build a fashionable wardrobe using only clothes from Old Navy.  Marc was TOTALLY at a loss, and didn’t have Cliff to help him.  He sat in a corner of the room, puffing his inhaler.  The rest of his team, Daniel, Amanda and Nick, put together a wonderfully stylish wardrobe.  Wilhelmina took charge for the red team, and altogether, they did well, (Henry was spectacular at choosing sweaters), except Betty – who made the fashion blunder of putting red suede mocs with army green chinos.  Judge Christian Siriano deemed the Blue team’s line the most fierce.  At the tribal council, each team eliminated its weakest member: Marc from the blue team and Betty (gasp!) from the red.

Week Four: In a recreation of the famous paintball match, the two teams roamed the streets of Queens playing paintball (Don’t worry, they had the permission of the local authorities).  Daniel was not going to be denied this time; he single-handedly knocked out Cliff and Wilhelmina.  Henry did get Nick and Amanda at the same time (making out again!), but he got knocked out by Daniel shortly thereafter.  The Blue team won, and in the tribal council, Wilhelmina was eliminated.

Week Five:  The teams were merged this week!  Left in the contest were Cliff, Henry, Daniel, Amanda, and Nick.  Amanda formed an alliance with Nick and Daniel.  She said she couldn’t stand the thought of Marc or Betty’s boyfriend winning the competition. The competition was held at Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden in Astoria.  Each contestant had to down several beers, then make dog clothing out of paper clips.  Amanda was perfect in this.  Henry used his engineering skills to build doggie chain mail, but he was too drunk to put it together correctly.  Daniel’s was a little too big, and Nick’s was a disaster.  Cliff downed more beers than anyone, but did just fine.  In a surprise move, Amanda turned on Nick, and with the votes of Henry and Cliff, Nick was eliminated.

Week Six: Showdown week.  Two more were eliminated, leaving us with the final two.  The challenge this week left the confines of Queens, and traveled to “The Middle Ages”.  Each of them must see how long they can ride on the mechanical steed.  Henry, surprisingly, does the best.  Daniel held on for dear life and made it 30 seconds.  Cliff fell off after 3.  Amanda fell off almost immediately, but her dress got caught in the steed’s saddle, causing it to tear off at the skirt.  Therefore, the judges had no idea how long she stayed on.  Instant replay showed she only stayed on 2 seconds.  Amanda and Cliff were  eliminated, leaving our final two, Daniel and Henry.

Now, it’s up to you. Daniel and Henry insist that they are friends and will not be upset if the other wins.  However, Daniel DID form the alliance with Amanda (along with firing Betty three times in the past year).  Plus, there’s no mistaking that Daniel does not approve of Henry being in Betty’s life.

So, now, it is your time to vote.  Who should win the Fashion TV Survivor Challenge, Henry or Daniel?

Post from: Ugly Betty News