Here is the promo for Ugly Betty, The Complete Third Season on DVD:

Man, watching all those little snippets, I had forgotten how much the show changed over the course of season 3.   Those Lindsay Lohan scenes seem like they were from several seasons ago.  Some of them were pretty good, but I don’t think her appearance was worth it.  It certainly didn’t help the ratings. 

I am really looking forward to this DVD - I have a feeling several of the episodes will get better as they are viewed again (and in the context of what happened later in the season).  I know that in the course of doing episode recaps, a couple of the episodes grew on me, even though I didn’t care for them at first.

Of course, the bloopers and behind the scenes footage are always fun, so that’s another reason to get the DVD.

Ugly Betty, The Complete Third Season will be released on September 22, which will give you enough time to get revved up for Ugly Betty season4!

****A LITTLE HOUSEKEEPING****

Ugly Betty News is on Twitter now - tweet tweet!  If you follow UBN, we’ll follow you!  Many times something is out there that is cool but maybe not bloggable; I’ll tweet them as often as I can!

Also, I’m aware of some weirdness going on with the comments - y’all hang with us - our crack technical team is working on it as we speak!

UPDATE: The comment problem has been fixed!

Here is a very nice ABC-produced video based on one of my favorite moments from Ugly Betty season 3. 

This is (primarily) the scene from episode 3.22, In The Stars, in which Adele makes an appearance, and ends up singing the song “Right as Rain”.

It also features some of the best moments and characters from the latter half of season of season 3.  Before everything fell apart.  Although I greatly enjoyed the heart-wrenching season finale, it’s nice to see all the characters happy.

Above all, I love this song.  I’m an old R&B guy, and the production of Right as Rain, along with Adele’s wonderfully soulful voice just lift the spirit and bring a smile to one’s face.

I think Adele might have been my favorite celebrity guest star in season 3, although her speaking part was minimal.  I know it’s hard to fit musical sequences into too many episodes, but I hope we can see more moments like this in season 4.

Before we get back to Ugly Betty analyzin’ and speculatin’, I have to compliment ABC on their wonderful promos for next season’s renewed shows, especially this one:

They ran this one during Ugly Betty episode 3.24, The Fall Issue, and it just made me smile.  To see many of the characters from the various ABC shows “living in one house” is wonderful.

This one, of course, heavily features Becki Newton as Amanda.  First, Ty Pennington annoys her with his megaphone.  Then, at the end, she opens the bathroom door to see Sloane from Grey’s Anatomy, looks him over, and says in disgust, “Puleeease…”  Next, she opens the door to find Hurley from Lost brushing his teeth, who exclaims, “Dude…”, which she lustily returns.

Also, there is a quick shot of “Betty” (I’m assuming it’s a look-alike) at about the :38 mark.

But, it’s Amanda and Hurley that make this promo.  That, and Supernanny telling the Wipeout guys to “clean your balls before you come in the house”.  (Wipeout returns tonight, if your inner 12-year-old is dying to be found again)

Here is another music video from Vanessa Williams‘ new album The Real Thing.  This is a song from the Ugly Betty star called Close To You.

This one really makes me want to go find a hammock on a beach and just chill.  It has a real Brazilian feel - Vanessa even sings a verse in Portuguese!

Close To You was written by Babel Gilberto, and produced by, you guessed it, Babyface Edmonds.  The instrumentation is minimal, giving Vanessa’s voice the full limelight.  Nice.

In this video, Williams does quite a bit of dancing (too bad her schedule wouldn’t allow a DWTS appearance as a contestant).  It is quite sensual as well, shedding any connection at all to Vanessa’s character Wilhelmina.

The Real Thing will be available June 2nd - (the album’s page at her website says “At Target”, but I don’t know if it’s an exclusive deal).

Here is the second sneak peek video for the season finale of Ugly Betty airing on Thursday.  This one is for all you Benry shippers.  (For those of you who joined us this season, those are fans of the Betty/Henry relationship.)

As always, if you want to view the finale spoiler-free, the video might not be for you.  However, if you are a regular at Ugly Betty News, nothing happens here that you don’t already know.

***Spoiler Zone***

This one is all about the return of Henry.  In fact, it IS the return of Henry.

What’s interesting is that the meeting was not a chance meeting – Betty was nervously trying to be where she might run into Henry (remember, he’s posting his whereabouts on Facebook, so really they are both trying to find each other).

America Ferrera is actually funny in this scene (something she hasn’t been allowed to do very much this season).  Her nervous rantings drive Marc and Amanda crazy.

Marc tells Betty about his night with Jodi, which he really did not enjoy (but apparently, Jodi did).  Amanda, of course, seems oblivious (which in and of itself is funny).

Regardless, much of 3.23, Curveball, will revolve around this “chance” meeting between Henry and Betty.  Henry’s new girlfriend looks a lot like Charlie – hopefully she’s not insane.

Kudos to ABC for releasing the sneak peeks and making them embeddable.  Hopefully, we can see more of the same in the future!

I can’t wait for the season finale this Thursday!

ABC has released a couple of sneak peeks for this week’s 2-hour season finale of Ugly Betty.  (When was the last time they officially did that?)  This one is the first.  Needless to say, if you wish to remain spoiler-free, I wouldn’t play the video.  Oh, and be prepared for seeing something quite unexpected.

***Spoiler Zone****

In short, Matt (at Mode) reveals his first painting to Betty, and it’s…Betty.  She’s reclining, and let’s just say, casual.  As Matt says, “draped”.  Interestingly, she has her glasses on and a a full smile revealing her braces, so the juxtaposition is interesting.

Matt, again, seems a little overly needy in this clip, even though he’s being highly romantic.  He makes a proposal to Betty, though not quite the one she seems to be expecting.

Amanda, of course, interrupts, and provides the comedy.  I won’t spoil it for you – watch the video! (OK, she says the painting looks like “the butt of Satan” and runs away screaming).

There will be a live blog this week (our first two-hour!), so join us here Thursday at 8/7c!

Here is the promo for Ugly Betty episodes 3.23 (Curveball), and 3.24 (The Fall issue), airing this Thursday on ABC at 8/7c.  It’s a 2-hour event!

For a refresher, here are the synopses:

Ugly Betty” concludes the season with a shocking two-hour telecast, THURSDAY, MAY 21 (8:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. In the first hour, entitled “Curveball” (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET), just as Betty agrees to move in with Matt, Henry (guest star Christopher Gorham) pays a visit to NYC, forcing Betty to admit she still has feelings for her former fiance. Meanwhile, Betty and Marc wait to see if their YETI editor interviews resulted in actual jobs; Daniel’s transformation from playboy to devoted husband makes him a media darling; and Wilhelmina cozies up to Victoria Hartley to find out just what kind of connection Claire Meade has to Cal Hartley.

In “The Fall Issue” (9:00-10:00 p.m.), the sudden death of a Mode editor leaves Betty and Marc competing for the same job. Meanwhile, Wilhelmina demands that Claire tender her resignation at a big awards ceremony . . . or she’ll reveal Claire’s dark secret to Cal Hartley; Matt lets his jealousy over Henry get the best of him; and Justin nervously waits to see if he got into performing arts school.

What’s up with Pinhead Wilhelmina?  It’s hilarious, whatever is going on.

“Curveball” is mostly going to be about the romantic tug Betty feels for both Matt and Henry.  (Gee, where have I seen this before?)  On the surface, whatever Matt’s failings, they have zeroes behind them, and money is the great male equalizer (said Bill Gates).  But, Matt has been just awful the last few episodes.  By comparison, Henry was good to her, and at least had a plan.  (Yes, so did Gio).  I have no idea how the writers think there should be any conflict here.  Is there ANYTHING about Matt that makes him even remotely desirable?  (Except for those zeroes?)

OK, off my soapbox.

3.24 looks to be wonderfully over-the-top.  They’ve obviously figured out that Claire/Wilhelmina are wonderfully funny rivals.  (Willi always gets the best of Daniel, but Claire can give as good as she gets). 

I don’t know how I feel about Betty and Marc competing, after coming as close to besties as they’ll ever get this season.

Of course, expect a cliffhanger or two.

Here is the promo for Ugly Betty episode 3.22, In the Stars.  The synopsis:

Betty teams with Matt and Marc for their all-important final YETI project, a photo shoot with Grammy winner Adele, but Matt’s slacking off could jeopardize everything they’ve worked for. Meanwhile, love is everywhere as two wedding proposals are made, but only one couple will walk down the aisle; Claire and Wilhelmina square off over their roles at Mode; and Matt’s mom (guest star Christine Baranski) asks Betty for a favor.

There is a LOT going on here.

The promo focuses on the wedding, of course.  Assuming it’s Daniel’s (and it looks like it is in the wedding snippet), it will be the shortest engagement ever, outside of Vegas.  I’m still wondering about the “other” marriage proposal.

Judging from Wilhelmina’s anger in a couple of these clips, I have to assume that Claire gets the upper hand, at least temporarily.

I LOVE the “space” decorations for the wedding (which I bet will also be the Adele photo shoot.

I’m assuming the silhouette we see at the end is Victoria Hartley (based on the synopsis).  I’m really curious what “favor” Victoria needs from Betty.  Either it part of a war between Cal and her with Betty caught between, or it has something to do with Claire’s secret with the family (based on who you listen to, it’s highly likely that Claire had an affair with one of them years ago).

I don’t want to jinx things, but this one looks like it could possibly rival 3.15, There’s No Place Like Mode, in soapy-comedy goodness.

Well, this is cool.  Here is video which was taken by someone who just happened to be at Citi Field the day Ugly Betty was filming there.

Wow - I can’t get over how cool it is, the things the producers can do since they are filming in New York.  Of course, had they been filming in LA, I guess they could have filmed at a Dodgers game, and I bet they could have gotten Manny Ramirez really cheap.  :)  But, the show takes place in New York, so that might be silly.

***SPOILER***

In the video, Eric Mabius, as Daniel, throws out the first pitch at a Mets game.  Over the PA, they announce him as “Editor in Chief of Mode Magazine, Daniel Meade”.  Before he trots out onto the field, Sarah Lafleur as Molly gives him a kiss and a playful pat on the butt.

He throws it over the plate; probably not a strike, but better than 90% of the people out there could do.

In the description of the video, YouTube contributor Timmyboi008 says, “we were at citi field when the mets played the nationals on april 24th 09. they then announced that they were going to be filming it there before the first pitch. This is like the 3rd take of like 4 or 5. sorry that my uncle and i are talking. there was a lot of booing! especially after the 1st take.”

Of course, unless the booing was appropriate for the scene, the wonderful Ugly Betty sound team will turn them all to cheers. 

I wonder what this is all about?  Are Molly and Daniel going through a “bucket list”?  Is it something Cal Hartley arranged?  And, I really thought Molly would be at least hospitalized by this point.  She looks quite healthy here. Will she have a sudden death, or have the teaser/spoilers all been wrong?

Before we turn our eyes to the next episode of Ugly Betty (3.22, In The Stars),  let’s look back one more time at the final scene from episode 3.21, The Born Identity.

****WARNING**** – you don’t get any more spoiler-ish than this.  If you haven’t seen The Born Identity yet, and don’t want to find out what happens till you watch the episode, STOP READING NOW!  This is the end of the episode, where the writers always throw some big change at us.

This was Christina McKinney’s goodbye.  In it, she and Stuart get their baby, and tell Betty that they are going back home to Scotland to raise little William.

I can’t overstate how well this scene was done.  It could have very easily been OVER DONE, with gushing tears and maudlin music, but the writers, America Ferrera, and Ashley Jensen showed some restraint.  This is what goodbyes look like in real life.

I’d love to take responsibility for the joke about not understanding a word Yanks say, since I once said that Jensen should be subtitled.  :)  Regardless, it was a nice touch.

With Christina gone, Betty now has no true, “normal person” ally at Mode.  But, judging from her confrontation with Wilhelmina earlier in the episode, I think she’s ready to stand on her own.  Maybe we’ll finally get some of that growth many of you have been asking for from Betty.

Does anyone know the Enya-like song playing at the end of this clip?