Now, EOnline’s Kristin is reporting that ABC execs are seriously thinking about it. 

She says, “According to sources, ABC higher-ups are considering moving Ugly Betty to Wednesdays at 10 in January as part of a flashy relaunch of the show in an effort to save it. The thinking is that Betty would complement new hits Modern Family and Cougar Town nicely, and make ABC a solid destination for comedy on Wednesday night.”

Also:  “According to insiders, Betty also has a creative resurgence in the works, including an episode in the spirit of Run Lola Run in which Betty must race across town to deliver a diamond-encrusted bra, which sounds pretty exciting. ABC execs asked producers to move the episode up to an earlier date because they liked it so much, according to my mole.”

Hmmmmm.

First off, this move would be a godsend for the show.  It isn’t going to last much longer pulling a 1.2 or 1.3 in the demos on Fridays.  And, ironically, the show creatively has been better than we’ve seen in years.  Apparently, we haven’t even seen the best yet – ABC execs actually asked producers to move up an episode because they liked it so much?

Woot.

None of this is certain, of course.  If this were to happen, we don’t know where ABC is going to put Lost, which would normally air in that spot.  10p is pretty late for Betty’s usual demographic, but I can’t see how moving it there could possibly hurt.  I’m positive it could beat Jay Leno.

Methinks we Ugly Betty fans should let ABC execs know that we support the idea. 

UPDATE!!!!!  AfterElton confirms the move to Wednesdays!!!!!!!

Image: Newscom

Post from: Ugly Betty News

Writer Denise Martin notices that ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox have placed well established shows in the timeslot, and the competition should be a battle royal.

Although Medium (CBS), Southland (NBC), Dollhouse (FOX), and Ugly Betty (ABC) aren’t American Idol-like ratings powerhouses, they aren’t ready-to-be-cancelled ratings slouches, either.  In fact, they are all quality shows.  (My own DVR will be busy – it’s tough for me when Medium is on opposite Ugly Betty – those are my two favorite network shows)

Apparently, Dollhouse creator Joss Whedon is happy with the success the show had on Fridays last season, but is none too happy the other networks are now giving him serious competition.

"On one hand, people could realize that Friday is potentially, if not a viewing night, a recording night," he said. "As opposed to, ‘Oh, it’s on Friday. It must be something they’re trying to kill.’ At the same time, I don’t want competition! Why don’t they put their bad shows there?"

After all, CBS has actually had success on Fridays with Ghost Whisperer and Numb3rs. "Ghost" averaged a series-high 10.6 million viewers last season, and "Numb3rs" averaged 9.8 million.  This proves that quality shows can get decent ratings on Fridays.

Keep in mind, though, the four shows in the 9pm timeslot didn’t come close to those type of ratings, even on other nights.

Ugly Betty executive producer Silvio Horta chimes optimistically, “The people I know aren’t watching the show live when it airs. I know that’s not the majority of the country, but DVR seems to be where everything is going."

He says that keeping buzz is key.  "That stuff [buzz] is extra important. I’m hoping our core audience will continue to [follow us] no matter where the show moves," Horta said.

I’ll have to look at the timing (which network moved its show to Friday at 9 first?), but I’m beginning to wonder if ABC’s moving of Ugly Betty to Fridays wasn’t a defensive move, to counter Medium, Southland and Dollhouse.  Or vice versa?

I think the competition is going to be fierce, and it looks like ABC and Ugly Betty aren’t going to hold anything back.

Still, I know we’re talking about the equivalent of the Motor City Bowl instead of the National Championship, and what is considered a paltry 6 to 8 million viewers might win the timeslot, but I am no longer so sure that the fourth season of Ugly Betty will be its last.

It’s going to be fun to see how this all shakes out.

Image: Bauer Griffin

Post from: Ugly Betty News

Interestingly, Betty’s season premiere will air on October 9th at 9/8c, a week or two after most of the network’s other premieres.  The first regular showing after the two hour episode will be Friday, October 16.

I wonder if the two hour episode will be two episodes back-to-back.  I’m guessing this is the case – this, along with the back-to-back 2-hour finale episode, makes up a little for the episodes lost during the WGA strike.  This puts the show that much closer to being eligible for syndication.

If that’s the case, (not to look too far ahead), the chances of renewal for a 5th season are higher, especially if the ratings don’t tank any further.

In related news, I noticed from the same release that Dancing With The Stars is having a three-night premiere, with two of the episodes being 2 hours (holy cow!)

But, back on Ugly Betty, now it’ll be a lot of fun to start speculation about what’s going to happen, who the guest stars will be, and what kind of tone the show will take in season 4.

It’s just great to have a date to look forward to!

Image: Splashnewsonline.com

Post from: Ugly Betty News

That was quick.

But, the Mike Judge show isn’t totally dead: It’s moving to Fridays at 8:30 p.m. on June 12, slotted behind original episodes of “Surviving Suburbia”. At 9. 

“Wife Swap” currently airs Fridays from 8-9. ABC had previously decided to air repeats of “Samantha Who” Fridays from 9-10, starting this week– perhaps to warm up the timeslot for “Ugly Betty,” which relocates to the night in the fall.

As for me, I kind of wish Samantha Who? could find its way to the same night as Ugly Betty.  If it’s on Fridays, the so be it.  Although I don’t really care for Surviving Suburbia very much, I see much potential in The Goode Family (the last episode was much better than the pilot), and would love to see it as a replacement part of a new comedy night on ABC, anchored by Ugly Betty.

For those of you in the business – with the advent of DVRs and online viewing, is Friday really a death-knell for a show?  Could a comedy block not work, even on Fridays?

In related news, ABC has decided to move up the second season premiere of “I Survived a Japenese Game Show” to June 17.  It will replace the double run of “Goode” in the 9 p.m. Wednesday slot. The network said earlier this spring that “Game Show” wouldn’t return until July.

I LOVED last year’s run of Game Show.  Too bad they can’t find a way to fit IT into prime time as an Ugly betty lead-in.

Image: Bauer-Griffin

Post from: Ugly Betty News

In an interview with TV Guide, ABC Entertainment president Steve McPherson tried to reassure Betty fans, expressing confidence in the show.

"I love the show," he said. "I’d love to see it have a great run on Friday night, the way Ghost Whisperer has."  He also added that he hopes that Betty will hold Supernanny’s lead-in.

This is where I wonder how much McPherson is messing with us.  The last new airing of Supernanny, it got a 1.8 rating / 6 share, with 5.36 million viewers.  Ugly Betty has NEVER been that low.  If anything, it would be the other way around.  All things being equal, Betty COULD be the anchor of a new TGIF, if ABC adds more comedies.

We do know that Wife Swap (the show that usually follows Supernanny) has been renewed, although there is no word where it will fit in.

About Flash Forward, the supernatural thriller that is taking Betty’s slot, McPherson says, "We just have a big opportunity with Flash Forward, and you have to make some bold moves sometimes."

I sure hope it’s wonderful.  It doesn’t seem to fit the target demographic (young women) that has been a staple of ABC Thursday nights for years, but ABC has been losing that demographic anyway.

What I don’t know is, are the expectations different on a Friday?  6-8 million viewers just won’t cut it on Thursday at 8, but would the same number of viewers be a coup on Friday at 9?  This, I don’t know.

Logic says that conventional wisdom is wrong.  If Friday is a death sentence for shows, no show would ever run longer than one season airing that night.

Then there is this: ABC shrewdly did NOT reveal their midseason schedule.  I think there is a very, very good chance Betty gets moved again.  Which night?  That’s anyone’s guess.

Image: SplashNewsOnline.com

Post from: Ugly Betty News

ABC has released their 2009-2010 Fall Schedule, and they have moved Betty to Friday night at 9/8c.  Ironically, Friday was the original scheduled night for the show when it premiered.

I have mixed feelings about this.  If the show was to be moved, a lead-out or lead-in with Dancing With The Stars would have been ideal (yes, I know that might mean going up against American Idol).  It would be nice for the show to grab a few of those 22 million who watch DWTS.

But, Friday isn’t a total disaster (even though it’s scheduling purgatory).  If Ugly Betty can maintain the 6-8 million viewers it currently has, it should contend to win its timeslot, something it would never do on Thursdays against Survivor.  The biggest downside is the that the target demographic of young women usually has something to do on Friday nights.  Of course, there’s the new factor of DVRs (which also factor into ratings).

I’m pretty much in shock, because I didn’t see this coming (I should have, though).

I have the full schedule for ABC next season, after the jump:

DAY TIME SERIES

MONDAY: 8:00 p.m. “Dancing with the Stars” (two-hours)

10:00 p.m. “Castle”

TUESDAY: 8:00 p.m. “Shark Tank”

9:00 p.m. “Dancing with the Stars the Results Show”

10:00 p.m. “The Forgotten”

WEDNESDAY: 8:00 p.m. “Hank”

8:30 p.m. “The Middle”

9:00 p.m. “Modern Family”

9:30 p.m. “Cougar Town”

10:00 p.m. “Eastwick”

THURSDAY: 8:00 p.m. “Flash Forward”

9:00 p.m. “Grey’s Anatomy”

10:00 p.m. “Private Practice”

FRIDAY: 8:00 p.m. “Supernanny”

9:00 p.m. “Ugly Betty”

10:00 p.m. “20/20”

SATURDAY: 8:00 p.m. “Saturday Night College Football”

SUNDAY: 7:00 p.m. “America’s Funniest Home Videos”

8:00 p.m. “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”

9:00 p.m. “Desperate Housewives”

10:00 p.m. “Brothers & Sisters”

Image: Bauer Griffin

Post from: Ugly Betty News

Woot.

The two replacement comedies, In The Motherhood and Samantha Who?,  were not pulling very good ratings.  Last week, for example, “Motherhood” averaged just a 1.4 rating and 5 share in the adults 18-49 demo, while “Samantha” posted a 1.5/5.  Things were so bad, the shows threatened to hurt Grey’s Anatomy.  Now THAT’s bad.

The chances of Motherhood coming back next season are very slim.  Samantha Who? is another story.  The network likes the show (so do I), but it just hasn’t performed absent the Dancing With The Stars lead-in.

But, bad news for the replacement shows is good new for Betty fans.  Now, we have to reset our countdown clocks.  Remember, Betty returns to the air on April 30th!  Woohoo!

Image: Bauer Griffin

Post from: Ugly Betty News

But, in answer to all those questions I’ve been getting: Ugly Betty is on a short, planned hiatus.  Normally, this time of year, shows go into reruns in preparation for May sweeps.  ABC decided to use this normal, cyclical downtime, to try out a new show, In The Motherhood, and bring back new episodes for another show Samantha Who? 

ABC is having serious problems holding onto its core demographic of young women (I’ll post in-depth on this later, but it’s not just Ugly Betty that it’s happening to), and they want to see if Motherhood or Samantha will be a hit with that demo. 

But, back on topic: regardless of the performance of the other shows, Ugly Betty will return from hiatus on May 7th with episode 3.20 (which I just discovered will be entitled “Rabbit Test”).  It will have its full run, ending with a two-hour season finale, something many of us have been calling for since season 1!

So, Ugly Betty fans, never fear, the show is NOT canceled.  It’s going to be back – and the last few episodes have really been gaining steam, so I predict it’ll be better than ever!

Image: Newscom

Post from: Ugly Betty News

According to the site, ABC also announced that the show will have a two hour finale on May 21.  We’ve been waiting for an Ugly Betty two hour premiere or finale since season 1, and it looks like they’re finally going to give it to us!

In the story, writer Pavan wonders whether ABC will air one episode on another night because there are 5 episodes left in the season.  I’m not so sure.  I’m pretty sure a full season is 23 episodes (at least season 1 was 23 episodes), and this week is number 19.  That leaves four after that. But then again, by my count there are only 3 weeks in which to air new episodes, so maybe Pavan has the right idea/wrong number…

Regardless, this is great, great news!  Having the show air during May sweeps, ending with a two-hour finale, will be a great shot in the arm for the show!  This means that episode 3.22 will have to be a doozy to get interest whipped up for the finale (no more Lindsay Lohan gimmicks!).

Please, please, please let Brian Tanen lead the writing on the finale…

Of course, the usual disclaimers apply.  Until I see video of some guy with a power tie and an ABC/Disney name tag make the announcement, we have to refrain from doing the happy dance.  (Not to doubt SO – this is our policy with all scoop sources)  But, I DO believe it – so I’m going to bounce up and down just a little. 

Image: Bauer-Griffin

Post from: Ugly Betty News

THR: What are your plans for "Ugly Betty"? Will it return in the fall, and will it stay on Thursdays?
McPherson: "Ugly Betty" will return.

Game, set, match.  Woot.

After last night’s stellar episode (recap is coming, I swear), this news just puts me on cloud nine.

Micheal Urie, I’ll gladly accept every ‘I told you so’ that you throw at me.  I report the good and the bad, and ratings-wise, there has been a lot of bad lately, so I’ve been a flibbertigibbet.

I’m still waiting for the “official” announcement, but this is about at close as it gets.  Now, if we can just get NYC to continue the tax break that brought the show to the city, Season 4 of Ugly Betty might just be the best ever!

BTW, I’ll have more of this outstanding new photo set later.

Image: Bauer-Griffin

Post from: Ugly Betty News