America looks GREAT, and she’s really got this red carpet thing down (thanks to time and Vanessa Williams).  America is wearing a black Moshino safety pin-embellished crepe dress paired with gold peep-toes.

Speaking of Vanessa:

The lady can still bring it in this LBD.  Check out the two-toned shoes!

Becki Newton was there.  She wears this ruffled Prabal Gurung Fall 2009 sleeveless top and striped tulip skirt well, although with my agricultural ancestry,I have an overwhelming urge to get clippers and shear her.

Congratulations to America Ferrera and the Ugly Betty cast for supporting such a wonderful cause.

There are many more photos after the jump, including a very layered Tony Plana, Michael Urie looking a little tired after a whirlwind few days (sun and sand notwithstanding), and an old friend Ugly Betty fans will recognize right away.

Also, Ted Allen (my favorite foodie nerd) was there, so I had to throw in a pic of him!  Check them out…

Images: Fame Pictures

Post from: Ugly Betty News

TV Guide

The show cross-promotes the program in a very creative way, with Betty proposing a story about it in mode, complete with a mosquito-net-clothing photo shoot.  I would imagine some kind of (real) appeal is going to be aired during or immediately after the show as well.

The show’s stars recently appeared at the UN promoting the program (and the episode) in person.

"It’s really a perfect marriage," said Judith Light. "Betty Suarez is a person who has a great heart and a great soul. So in this story, it’s not a stretch at all that she comes from a place that wants to help other people. She’s trying to change hearts and minds about the way we all relate to each other."

Executive producer Silvio Horta wanted to feature the UN on the show, which led to a discussion about Nothing But Nets. 

"We took that back to the writers, and they said, ‘Mosquito netting [and] fashion — that’s very logical," producer Richard Heus joked. "But we put that together and it worked. The storyline resonated with pretty much every member of the cast and crew. It was something we all could easily support and feel is very important. We’re very grateful."

Tony Plana thinks Ugly Betty is the perfect show to highlight the program. 

"We represent inclusion," he said. "We’re already connecting with a set of issues because of our cultural identity, and we are passionate about that. … To know that we are able to extend that [passion] beyond culture and social economics to social awareness about issues of this nature just makes you feel so wonderful about the work that we do."

The season premiere of Ugly Betty is (finally) October 16th at 9/8c.

Image: Bauer Griffin

Post from: Ugly Betty News

Ugly Betty

Plana was born in Havana, Cuba in 1953.  In 1963, his family moved to Miami. He is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University and was trained in acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, UK. He has been married to actress Ada Maris since 1988 and they have two children.

Plana has been an outspoken advocate/spokesperson for Latinos in the entertainment field.

I will say this, and I’m pretty sure that many of you will not agree:  on the show, Plana’s character Ignacio is one of the few whose direction has not only seemed right, but has been fun to watch.  The fast food job, his reaction to his overprotective children, the TV cook-off, the relationship with Elena (she’s been missed lately), even the mostly slapstick role Ignacio played in 3.19, The Sex Issue, have been interesting and funny. 

OK, the heart attack that came and went in the blink of an eye was silly, but still, I think the writers overall have done a great job with Ignacio.

Anyway, happy birthday, er, belated birthday, Tony!

Image: SplashNewsOnline.com

Post from: Ugly Betty News

I’ve been wondering if any Ugly Betty stars made it down to Washington DC for the festivities, and what do you know? The first one I find is Tony Plana, who attended Sunday’s Voto Latino Inaugural Party.

Remember all the “get out the vote” work Plana did last spring and summer? Those telenovelas were a hoot. Other notables at the gala were Marc Antony, Rosario Dawson, and Wilmer Valderrama.

Anyway, it’s good to see Plana looking all dapper. I think he wears formal very well.

I’m looking out for Ugly Betty stars who might be in Washington (word is Vanessa Williams, the first African American Miss America, made it down with ex-hubby Rick Fox, but I’m working on confirming that and getting some pictures).

Stay tuned…

Just to remind any of you who might be new to UBN, we don’t really do politics here; there are a gazillion other places for those discussions. But I really believe today’s event transcends politics, so let’s keep things at that level.

Besides, it’s much more fun to discuss what everybody’s wearing. That’ll tide us over till this Thursday’s episode of Ugly Betty.

Post from: Ugly Betty News

Mark Indelicato is growing up FAST. I want to say I ‘get’ the shirt, but…

David Blue hams it up. Ugly Betty’s most likeable guest star keeps it casual. If I were to attempt an untucked shirt with jacket, I just don’t think it would look as cool. But, Blue pulls it off, and seems to be having fun doing it.

More after the jump!

Makeup artist/fashion photographer Jay Manuel in tight leather.

New cast member Grant Bowler! (Another jacket/no tie – anybody sensing a trend here?)

Tony Plana in earth tones!

Young cutie (or so I’ve been told) Val Emmich. A vest, but still no tie.

Ahhh – my man Eric Mabius saves the day for the lowly and forgotten tie!

I’ve not yet found any photos of Michael Urie at the event. But, I’ll keep looking! And, y’all keep on the lookout, I’ll be posting the women next!

Post from: Ugly Betty News

As reported, Ugly Betty did quite well in the awards that recognize positive portrayals of Latinos in the entertainment field. 

Now, of course Ortiz and Ferrera were absolutely gorgeous, as usual.  And Plana is always classy and dignified.  But, I can’t get over how smooth the young Indelicato looks.  He wears the dark suit very well!

Ugly Betty, including its creators Salma Hayek and Silvio Horta, deserve all the kudos they’ve been receiving.

More pics after the jump!

Post from: Ugly Betty News

There are no true spoilers in the interview (they talk about Christian Siriano, Nina Garcia, and Eddie Cibrian, who will be guest starring). However, it’s nice to see Indelicato in an interview – he really interviews well for such a young man. And of course, Tony Plana is a classic.

Plana says that Siriano is just the start: next season there will be more designers on the show, and for many of them, a line will debut on Ugly Betty! What a great tie-in with the fashion industry!

As always, I’ll pass along any news when I find out the designers and/or lines that will be featured.

[EDITED] Video placed after the ‘more’ link because the darned thing autoplays and there’s no way to turn it off. But if you haven’t seen it, take a look after the jump, it’s worth it!

Post from: Ugly Betty News

Mark Indelicato looks cool (although he’s so skinny I think David Blue needs to take that boy out for a few cheeseburgers), Tony Plana looks CLASSIC, we’ve already seen that David Blue cleans up pretty good, and chris Gorham is quite hansdsome here.

MAN – I can’t wait till they get back to work. At this event, Ana Ortiz dropped a few juicy nuggets: We’re all so hungry for it and so excited. My character’s going to start dating, and I know the salon is getting built up. And I can’t wait to see that cast of characters.”. Hat tip Anna!

More after the jump!

Post from: Ugly Betty News

Ugly Betty’s David Blue, Mark Indelicato, Ana Ortiz, Tony Plana, and Vanessa Williams were scheduled to appear in the 16th Annual Weekend At Sardi’s tonight. This year’s entertainment was “Selections from Bye Bye Birdie”. It was held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.

I guess since the cast didn’t get to participate in the musical episode this year, this is the next best thing.

If photos of the event surface, of course I will post them here.

Special hat tip goes to David Blue, who posted about this at his Myspace blog yesterday. Here’s what he had to say:

I’m currently excited to be rehearsing a “celebrity benefit” for the Alzheimer’s Association. It’s called “A NIGHT AT SARDI’S” (click to see some info).It should be a blast as it involves Jason Alexander, a bunch of the cast from Ugly Betty and Heroes and some other great shows. I’ve been having fun getting ready with all of these guys, so I can’t wait for the actual benefit. It’s great to be working for a good cause. And it’s just an added bonus to work with so many talented people.

This is a GREAT cause, and all the stars who participated should be commended.

Also, Blue noted that there was no official word on Ugly Betty or his other work with Moonlight, and some other “super-secret project I could still use positive thoughts for”. I don’t know if that means that Cliff will not be in Ugly Betty episode 2.14, or they just don’t call him until the last minute.

I certainly hope he’s going to appear in as many of upcoming 5 episodes as possible. Cliff is by far the most popular “occasional” character on Ugly Betty, based on reaction here.

Post from: Ugly Betty News

Plana’s character, Betty’s father Ignatio, is a great cook (a man after my own heart), it will be awesome if Plana knows his way around the kitchen in real life.  It would appear he does.  This episode of Simply Delicioso revolves around Hoffmann and Plana preparing dinner for friends who are joining them to watch TV.

Recipes include Black Bean Dip, Fastest-Ever Enchiladas, Avocado and Cilantro Tostaditas with Corn Salsa, Ugly Betty Cupcakes and a minty Beautifying Betty Martini.  Yum!

I wonder which TV show they are sitting down to watch?  You’d hope it would be Ugly Betty, but maybe Tony doesn’t want to bring his work home with him.  A piece of advice: never have a big Mexican dinner while watching CSI.  Don’t ask me how I know.

I am particularly interested in the “fastest-ever Enchiladas”, but regardless, whenever the beautiful and bubbly Hoffmann is on screen, I’m good.

Set your DVRs!

Hat Tip: Rocky Mountain News

Post from: Ugly Betty News