Question: I heard that Ugly Betty is on the verge of being canceled. Can you give me any inside information on that? —Michelle
Ausiello: I really don’t think Betty is in any immediate danger of getting pulled off the schedule. I mean, the ratings are bad but they’re not Dollhouse bad. Do I think ABC will renew it for a fifth season? Conventional wisdom says it’s probably a long-shot. For his part, Silvio Horta is preparing for either scenario. “Obviously, we all want the show to continue, but I don’t want to get caught off guard and have them tell me it’s the last season and have to wrap everything up in one episode,” he says. “So I have two season-ending arcs planned — one where it’s the last season and one where we continue for another one.”

Interesting that he doesn’t get into the question of Betty moving nights or staying on Fridays – which is THE critical question for Betty right now.

But, I’m glad that the show’s producers are working on two season-ending arcs.  First, it shows they aren’t giving up yet. At the same time, it means they are actually putting some thought into how the series will end.  Obviously, many of us disagree with the whole Benry finale idea, but at least it’s a real ending.  (Plus, it gives the other writers time to talk Horta out of it).

Ausiello also gives us some insight into what’s going to happen with Justin:

Question: I loved last week’s episode of Ugly Betty. Justin’s storyline was heartbreaking and triumphant at the same time. When will he finally come out? —HH
Ausiello: I’m guessing by the end of the season, but Betty boss Silvio Horta would only say that Justin will continue “struggling with his identity and his journey is going to be funny, heartbreaking, moving and powerful.”

Horta has always been more sure of where he’s taking Justin as the show progresses (compared to other characters); that’s why Justin, IMHO, is the most compelling character on the show.  

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Question: What’s the latest word on Ugly Betty moving to Wednesdays? —Alec
Ausiello: All signs point to… it not happening. ABC insiders tell me Betty is staying put on Fridays for now. The most likely candidate to inherit Eastwick’s Wednesdays at 10 p.m. timeslot early next year is Lost. Speaking of Betty, is it just me or is the show kind of on fire right now? Every episode this season has been a winner. I’m even staying awake during the Daniel scenes!

So, I don’t know what to believe anymore.  EOnline’s Kristin and AfterElton painted a completely different picture, all from "inside sources". 

Until ABC makes an announcement about the midseason schedule, we just won’t know what’s going to happen.  Don’t forget, with Hank cancelled, there’s going to be more shuffling around (will The Middle stay at 8:30 ?).  Wednesday at 8 is another possibility for Betty, although the ratings would still suffer against behemoth American Idol.

As for part 2 of Ausiello’s answer, it seems to be universally accepted by most critics and fans that Ugly Betty is MUCH better this season than it has been in a long time.  It would be a shame for Betty to go all Pushing Daisies on us, and get considered for Emmys while getting cancelled at the same time .

More, including spoilers, after the jump.

Ausiello also added this in this week’s post:

Question: Ugly Betty seems to be fighting hard to win back viewers and fans this season. These episodes are way stronger than anything in season three. Got scoop? —J
Ausiello: Is there an echo in here? I better check the acoustics. In the meantime, look for Matt Newton (Becki Newton’s real-life bro) to debut in the upcoming Bahamas episode as Mark’s new boyfriend. But that’s old news. Here’s some new news: His stint has been expanded. He’ll now appear in roughly four episodes. Additionally, Nadia Dajani (Emily’s Reasons Why Not) has been cast as Mode’s new creative director for a couple episodes. Cal Hartley imports her from the movie business to try to makeover the magazine.

Hurray, Matt Newton!  And, Marc getting a new boyfriend (we miss you, David Blue!) has been a long time coming.  It would be cool if this might be the catalyst for Marc making peace with his mother.

And, I’m assuming the Nadia Dajani character will be brought in while Wilhelmina loses her mind, wearing sweats and garden clogs in public (4.07, Level(7) With Me).

I HOPE Ausiello is wrong about the Wednesday move, but I can’t wait for some of these upcoming episodes!

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(Of course, since Ausiello has an exclusive on this, it’s not embeddable.  Dang, first Ausiello turns me down on a bro-date, then he won’t return my calls, then he won’t let me embed his exclusive Ugly Betty video – life is tough.  Just kidding.  I made the bro-date part up.  Although I’m sure it would be fun. )

Anyway, this video kind of shows you what they mean when the actors and producers say the show will be ramping things up closer to the edge.  It’s, shall we say, saucy.

Marc (Michael Urie) and Amanda (Becki Newton) are fretting the fact that someone filed an anonymous sexual harassment complaint against “us” (I’m assuming that means Mode).  As a result, Marc and Amanda (and I guess everyone else) have to stay after work and look at pamphlets and fill out an online questionnaire.   The whole time they are talking about this, Amanda is pawing at Marc and pulling him to her chest.

As an aside, Ugly Betty producers…I think this whole Marc/Amanda straight-curious shtick has diminishing returns.  It’s funny THIS time because of the circumstances around it, but I think you should choose your shots carefully.  Anyway…back to the episode…

Then the two role-play, and Amanda tramps it up while Marc plays a Henry-like nerdy character.  This scene is hilarious, especially with Newton throwing out double-entendres left and right.

This is just a snippet of the episode, which goes live on September 25.

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According to Ausiello, how much that look evolves is going to depend on focus groups being conducted by ABC.

The executives are "showing test audiences two scenes from early in the season, both featuring a newly glamorized Betty working at her new job as Mode’s associate features editor. In one, she’s rocking a Chanel-esque pastel pink suit; in the other, she’s sporting a short-sleeved black dress with a ruffled V-neck."

According to one participant, “She looks a lot classier, but she’s still far from perfect.”

Hmmm.

The executives are worried that audiences might not think the transformation appropriate, or might not accept a new "awkwardly glam" (my words) Betty. Can Betty still be Betty if she becomes less "ugly"? (not my word).

They’re also asking for opinions about Betty’s new hair, styled eyebrows, and makeup.

This should get quite interesting. They could have asked me, I would have told them that they can’t win. The comments I’ve seen run about 50-50 about whether Betty should change and become more attractive.

One line of thinking says yes, because after Betty has worked for a fashion magazine all these years, it is very unrealistic for her not to learn a few things about superficial beauty. And of course, we’ve discussed the realism of her extremely long-term braces treatment.

The other line says that changing Betty would completely change the nature of the show, and would take away the loveable underdog appeal of her character. And if you want realism, why the heck are you watching Ugly Betty?

I used to be in the latter camp, but I’m starting to come around. I don’t think it should be overnight, but I don’t think the change automatically means Betty isn’t the underdog (the beautiful Anne Hathaway pulled it off, at least).

It’ll be fun to watch early in the season, and try to guess which way the focus groups steered ABC executives.

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Question: Regarding Ugly Betty, got any spoilers that don’t involve Matt and Betty? –Kelcy
Ausiello: Mode’s getting a new editor! Her name’s Amber, she’s in her 20s, she’s Asian, and is a master at the backhanded compliment. Casting is under way. Also, I’m hearing (and already laughing) about a possible mob subplot involving Hilda.

Interesting news about the new editor.  I like the backhanded compliment idea because it’ll add some missing snarkiness to the show (if you’ll remember, Charlie did this sort of thing all the time.)  It’s entirely possible that this character will be a rival to Betty, and will give America Ferrera a chance to show off her reactive comedic chops again.  Marc would still insult Betty directly, letting America use that “I can’t believe you just said that” look, and the new editor could say something that would cause Betty to use her “I’m trying to work this out to see if it’s an insult” look.

Of course, the new editor could be an ally to Betty (kind of a surrogate Christina).  After all not EVERYONE at Mode has to be mean to Betty when they first encounter her.

As for the mob subplot with Hilda, this is extremely intriguing.  Hopefully, Archie’s not mobbed up, but even if he is, this opens up all kinds of story lines, and I can see how Ana Ortiz would really embrace the story.  You can tell, the producers have been looking for a good story to tell at the Suarez house that fits the overall fell of the show – I think this might just do the trick.

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Ugly Betty

Question: I’m writing you as I watch Ugly Betty film a scene outside the Woolworth Building, which doubles as Meade Publications Headquarters on the show. It looks like someone important has fallen from the building and onto a car. Who is it?! –Rachel
Ausiello: Let’s ring-up executive producer Sylvio Horta and find out! (And by “ring-up” I mean conduct the interview I had previously arranged through ABC that just happened to coincide with your eyewitness report.) “Yes, someone plummets to their death in the season finale,” Horta confirms. “It will play a big role in the plot.”

Wow – talk about intriguing.  Very “season 1″. 

As an aside,not being from New York, I had no idea that the Meade Building was actually the Woolworth Building.  I’ll have to stop by when I come to town as a tourist. 

Let’s start the speculation, shall we?  Who falls and dies, and what does it mean?

• Molly – maybe she takes a turn for the worse and commits suicide?  But, I can’t see her doing that to Daniel.
• Stuart – Maybe in some struggle. he ends up being “helped” off the building, hastening Christina’s exit.
• Christina – Hastening her exit.  Would they actually kill her off?
• Henry – pushed by assassins hired by “Friends of Gio”.  (Sorry, couldn’t resist).
• Fey Sommers – They reveal she’s not really dead, only to kill her off.
• One of the Hartleys – revealing a confirmation of my theories about Betty somehow getting partial control of Meade.

What do you think?  Maybe a character we haven’t seen in a while? (like Alexis?).  They wouldn’t DARE kill of Claire Meade, would they?  This one has me totally flummoxed.  I have no idea who it could be.

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Post from: Ugly Betty News

Now, the bad news: Daniel is going to have to sell his soul to bail out Meade. And by sell I mean dress up in a bunny costume at the behest of some rich tycoon named Hartley. Oh, how the boring mighty have fallen.

Does that last sentence mean we can count Ausiello amongst those who are tired of the Daniel / Molly pairing?  Although, I don’t think Daniel himself has been boring; it’s been interesting watching him grow.  But, the writers seemed to have been biding their time till they can get to a good dying scene during May sweeps.

Anyway, at first I wondered if the bunny costume was figurative, but I’m pretty sure it’s going to be literal. That leaves two questions: 

1) I wonder how much the scene in question will mirror Betty’s humiliation scene during the photo shoot in the series pilot?

2) Which Hartley will it be?  Victoria, Matt’s dad, or Matt himself?  (Matt would be highly unlikely, though). OK, I’ll add a third:

3) If it’s Victoria, will the bunny suit be part of some weird … uh … situation?  Don’t laugh – remember the “furry” episode on CSI Mothership ?

I digress. Speaking of Matt’s dad, in a casting scoop post from Ausiello, we find out who was cast in the role.  It’s David Rasche, who is a veteran of many shows, including L.A. Law, Suddenly Susan, All My Children and many others.  Ausiello describes the role as “Branson-esque”.  As in Richard Branson of Virgin, well, everything.

So, if Matt’s dad, Cal, is a jet-setting, adventure-loving entrepreneur, and since Victoria has already shown a cruel streak, we pretty much can guess which Hartley will make Daniel get his bunny on.

Interesting things to ponder during the hiatus…

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Question: Is Ugly Betty killing off Ashley Jensen? –Henry
Ausiello: Nah. My Ugly mole assures me that a much happier ending awaits Cristina. One that involves a kidnapping, a medical test, and a reunion with the two men in her life.

So, those lingering doubts I had in the back of my head about the writers killing off Christina are turning out to be needless.  They aren’t going to kill her off, they are going to do something with her character that I predicted (tentatively pats self on back).

So, those of you who read this blog regularly know my recent theories about Christina and baby William.  And a long time ago, ONE of you added a suggestion that Stuart might also be involved, and YOU were apparently right!

Read on after the jump for discussion!

So, my theory about Christina kidnapping the baby is going to come to pass.  But Ausiello hints at something very interesting.  Apparently, a bit of trickery might have been involved.  If they are testing, my guess is that the child might not be Bradford’s and possibly not even Wilhelmina’s!    Now, I’m trying to see how that’s possible, because there was a scene last season when we literally saw the implantation take place in the doctor’s office, with Wilhelmina there. 

I don’t know how they did it, but I think the child is wholly Christina and Stuart’s.

That should make for an interesting finale…

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Question: Anything good coming up on Ugly Betty that you can tease? — Sandra
Ausiello: You mean aside from a fourth season? (Phew!) Um, let’s see… someone will get married, someone will die, and Betty will find herself with a surprising new boss.

OK, we knew someone would die (we’ve all been assuming it’ll be Molly based on Kristin from EOnline’s hints). But MARRIED? Where did this come from? Based on where the story lines are right now, I can only see two possible candidates for marriage: Wilhelmina/Connor and Daniel/Molly . I do not rule out the latter, because it would be melodramatic to have Daniel suddenly settle down, followed by heartbreak almost instantly.

Connor/Wilhelmina would be far more delicious and fun, (especially if they BOTH start acting evil). But, I’ll believe it when I see it.

As far as Betty’s new boss goes, your guess is as good as mine. Does this mean that Daniel will once again not be Editor in Chief for a time? Or will Betty end up working for someone who isn’t Editor in Chief? Marc? Maybe he’ll have a meteoric rise, like Kimmie did earlier this season. Or, one intriguing idea would be if Betty went to work for Jodie Papadakis (Bernadette Peters). But, I just can’t see Betty leaving Mode AGAIN.

What do you think? Who is getting married? Who will be Betty’s boss?

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[...Pats self on back for resisting and sticking with the word "benching"]

Thank goodness for blogging. Yesterday, Michael Urie, one of the show’s stars, helped calm many of us with this posting at his blog. He says,

come on, really? Here are the facts:

We are going to finish shooting our original 3rd season order – 24
episodes (currently on 16).

At the end of March, we’re going off the air for a while, at a time
when we would normally be on for a few weeks, off for a few,
confusing and angering fans with repeats.

In June, we come back, and finish the last 6 episodes of the season
without interruption!

Then, EW’s Ausiello, in his Ask Ausiello report, gives us a little more insight, and softens his language a little bit from his earlier report. He says the Betty situation is “Not nearly as dire as I first thought. Shortly after my story posted, several very trustworthy ABC insiders came forward to assure me that the perception is much worse than the reality in this case. The reality, they say, is it’s highly unlikely that Betty will be forced to close out its third season in June, as the network’s ominously worded press release seemed to suggest.”

This is a little different from what Michael Urie said in his post, but more on that in a minute. Ausiello then relays the best news of all: “And regarding next season, two of the three sources I queried seemed very confident that Betty would be back next season.”

I think what’s been confusing everyone is that ABC has given no indication (that I can tell) about the length of Samantha Who? and In the Motherhood’s run. The signs seem to point to a shorter run than many of us had guessed. Will this mean Betty will be back in time for May sweeps? We’ll all just have to wait until ABC tells us.

Nevertheless, things are looking much brighter for the show than they were two days ago!

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