(and foolishly, IMHO)

According to TV Guide Magazine, Horta wants to reunite Betty and Henry (Christopher Gorham), if indeed season four is the final season.  Guide says Horta believes Henry "is the true love of Betty’s life."

Hey, I’m just the messenger here. 

Let me first say this:  I don’t think a Benry pairing would be the worst ever ending for the show (that would be if they brought back Walter and Betty ran off with him   ). 

Even though Betty/Daniel is the pairing I’d most like to see, and that hookup has happened in every previous version of the show, I just think Horta shouldn’t have said anything about his Benry preference yet.

Why dash the hopes of Daniel, Gio, Matt, and Bobby fans so soon in this (most likely) final season?

The Ugly Betty writers have been wonderful this season with surprises (did anyone see Justin’s "I’m not gay" declaration coming?), so I have no idea why Horta would tip his hand in such an important area.

Now, for what it’s worth, the TV Guide article does not have a direct Horta quote, but this IS TV Guide, so we have no reason not to believe the gist of the story.  They DO, however, quote Chris Gorham:

“I’m certainly attached to the idea of Henry and Betty being together.”

I’m trying to figure out how this news fits in with EOnline’s Kristin’s story about a divided Ugly Betty writers team.

I’ve told you what I think.  So, tell me what you think of this (let’s play nice!).

Popping popcorn…

Image: SplashNewsOnline.com

Post from: Ugly Betty News

Anyway, Ugly Betty made the list.  Not surprisingly, the suggested hook up is a Detty hook up.  As their caption (submitted by a fan) to a photo of Daniel and Betty says, “I know [creator Silvio Horta] is saying no, but the fans say yes. I kind of thought it was the point of the show. She was hired by his father to be a competent assistant he was in no danger of sleeping with. In the end, they should absolutely get together and bring it full circle.”

Since every (or almost every) incarnation of this show has ended with the “Daniel” character getting together with the “Betty” character (SirLizard can verify), this discussion will always be there under the surface.

I also think that Silvio Horta, no matter what he says publicly, might be steering us in that direction.  EveryGirl Molly was a surrogate Betty, and sex addict Matt is a surrogate Daniel (especially with his new, slick look).

My thinking on this has evolved a little over the years.  When the show is winding down (and let’s face it, they’ll know this winter if season four will be the last for Ugly Betty), I’d like to see the two get together.  They could have several episodes exploring the excitement and confusion of this. Then in the series finale, I’d like to see Daniel propose.

Betty could accept, and that would surely be a fitting ending for the show.  Even better, Betty could turn him down.

The couple could then declare their eternal friendship, and Betty will have truly grown up before our eyes.

(There is the added benefit that such an ending would leave the Henry, Gio and Daniel love stories still possible in the dreams of the fans of each character).

But, I could also live with Betty and Daniel hooking up, too. 

Image: Zuma Press

Post from: Ugly Betty News

This week’s print version of TV Guide has a blurb about Christopher Gorham and his new show, Harper’s Island.  You can view a scan here.

Gorham says, of his Ugly Betty character Henry’s relationship with Betty, “The show got us together and had to think of ways to keep us apart”. 

There’s really no disagreeing with that.  We can argue whether the producers jumped the gun with the Henry/Betty relationship (as much as I like him, I think they did – romantic tension is always better, dramatically, than a healthy relationship), but there’s no denying that the whole love triangle thing was not handled well. (This is assuming that the story just abruptly ends early in season 3)

Back to the blurb, it mentions that Gorham’s character on Harper’s Island, Henry Dunn, is a “dashing groom”.  The plot of the show has friends and family gathering on the island, only to get picked off one by one by a mysterious killer. The killer is revealed in the season finale.

But there’s an interesting Ugly Betty connection: Adam Campbell, who plays a guest and subsequently one of the suspects, is married to none other than Jayma Mays, who of course played the girl we loved to hate, Charlie.  Asked if she could be the killer, Campbell says, “I live with the girl, so I know she’s got a sinister side.  Nothing would surprise me.”

Source: SpoilerTV

Post from: Ugly Betty News

I’ve seen Urie and Newton perform thier “Lohan” song (an ode to Lindsay Lohan) quite a few times, and this is the best one of all. I love how they take the craziness that is the Lohan circus with a dose of humor.

A hornet attacks Becki Newton in the video, and they answer a few more questions about being in New York.

If “Beckael” doesn’t land a spinoff at the end of Ugly Betty’s run, could they at least have a talk show? They’d be great!

Source

Post from: Ugly Betty News

I’m trying to figure it out: who could this be? It would have to be a pretty unusual character for us to “laugh our ass[es] off” at the thought of a contract dispute. I STILL think, based on Ausiello’s cryptic statements, that it’s Mark Indelicato.

I can tell you that if anyone SHOULD be renegotiating, it should be Michael Urie and Becki Newton. If those two are still under their “rookie contracts”, to borrow a sports phrase, they are very underpaid.

As an aside, I’ll miss Ausiello greatly. The teaser in the middle of the video (right after the Ugly Betty mention) is hilarious. I hope he has a column/podcast in the same vein for Entertainment Weekly.

Post from: Ugly Betty News

Ugly Betty cast members are well represented in the dream ballot. The following were “nominated” on the dream ballot:

• America Ferrera, Lead Comedy Actress. She’s on this list along with Marcia Cross, Dana Delaney,Tina Fey, and Julia Louis-Dreyfuss. America is, as usual, a no-brainer, if only for her performance in episode 2.16 ,Betty’s Baby Bump. The academy seems to prefer Tina Fey’s “I’m oh-so sardonic and smarter than everyone else” style of comedy, though.
• Vanessa Williams, Supporting Comedy Actress. I like it – Wilhelmina has been wonderfully evil this season. However, I would have found a way to nominate Becki Newton. She stole more scenes this year than anyone.
• Michael Urie, Supporting Comedy Actor. Finally! Somebody gave the Julliard grad his due. Ausiello says, “Urie, meanwhile, went beyond flamboyance, hitting a bull’s eye himself when Cupid took aim at his character.” True, True.

Ausiello’s list does, however, bring up something that has always bugged me: Ugly Betty does not have a male lead. Not really. I know that Eric Mabius comes close, but his character is, when you boil it down, a supporting character. Most weeks, his screen time is about the same as Michael Urie. None of the romantic characters in Ugly Betty are leads, either. Chris Gorham and Freddy Rodriguez are supporting cast.

Of course, a show doesn’t have to have a male lead, but it bugs me that Mabius, Gorham, and Rodriguez will never be nominated for awards, because they are supporting actors, and, let’s face it, Urie gets 80% of the male comedic lines per show. They supply more drama than comedy. They do a great job, but they are kind of stuck in no-man’s land when it comes to awards nominations. When you think about it, Ashley Jensen, Ana Ortiz and Judith Light are in the same boat. It’s going to be hard for any of them to be nominated ahead of Williams and (hopefully one day) Becki Newton.

But heck, I’m just waiting for Urie to get his due.

Ausiello’s full list after the jump:

Lead Comedy Actress
Marcia Cross (Bree, Desperate Housewives)
Dana Delany (Katherine, Desperate Housewives)
America Ferrera (Betty, Ugly Betty)
Tina Fey (Liz, 30 Rock)
Julia Louis-Dreyfuss (Christine, Old Christine)

Lead Comedy Actor
Alec Baldwin (Jack, 30 Rock)
Larry David (Larry, Curb Your Enthusiasm)
Adhir Kalyan (Raja, Aliens in America)
Jim Parsons (Sheldon, Big Bang Theory)
James Roday (Shawn, Psych)

Supporting Comedy Actress
Kristin Chenoweth (Olive, Pushing Daisies)
Swoozie Kurtz (Lily, Pushing Daisies)
Amy Pietz (Franny, Aliens in America)
Wanda Sykes (Barb, New Christine)
Vanessa Williams (Wilhelmina, Ugly Betty)

Supporting Comedy Actor
Neil Patrick Harris (Barney, How I Met Your Mother)
Tyler Labine (Bert, Reaper)
Jack McBrayer (Kenneth, 30 Rock)
Chi McBride (Emerson, Pushing Daisies)
Michael Urie (Marc, Ugly Betty)

Image: Newscom

Post from: Ugly Betty News

Image details: Kiss Perform At Grand Prix In Melbourne served by picapp.com

TV Guide’s Micheal Ausiello gives us hints about the Amanda/Gene Simmons story line, and if it goes where I think it’s going, Amanda will have more sadness in her life:

Question: May I have some Amanda-centric Ugly Betty scoop? — Kristi
Ausiello: Gene Simmons is back, and let’s just say life with daddy isn’t everything she hoped it would be.

I have two thoughts about this. The first is an empahtic: “ya think?” Gene Simmons isn’t exactly Bill Cosby in the whole husband and father department. I’m wondering if they are going to play this as Amanda finally getting tired of Simmons paying attention to groupies instead of her. Personally, I would have loved to see a feud between Amanda and Simmons’ two real-life children, but that would have meant more guest stars and more complications; that’s something Silvio Horta and the writers are trying to avoid.

Secondly, of all the characters in Ugly Betty, Amanda strikes me as the most sad – almost tragic. Yes, she mean and catty (especially to Betty), but it seems like she just can’t buy a break in life, especially in the love and family department. Her friendship with Marc is really all she has. This is why the chemistry between Becki Newton and Micheal Urie is so important.

Anyway, what do you make of Ausiello’s hints – where do you think the Gene Simmons story is going to go?

Post from: Ugly Betty News

Seriously, the current issue of TV Guide has THE most wonderful cover photo and story about the return of television. Ugly Betty’s Becki Newton is featured prominently, shooting a stream of champagne in celebration. She’s there with many other stars, including Eva Longoria, Mekhi Phifer, Allison Mack, Hugh Laurie, David Boreanaz, Dave Annable, Mariska Hargitay, David Caruso, amongst others.

Newton DID have a little clothing trouble. From the article: Becki Newton (Ugly Betty’s Amanda) giggles over a wardrobe malfunction: “I look like I peed!” she says, after spilling champagne on her dress..

That would be funny enough in itself, but then James Denton of Desperate Housewives has to go and exclaim, “More Boobs!”.

I love what Hugh Laurie from House said: “Is this going to be one of those photos where they have a diagram with an outline of the people and numbers so you can identify everyone?”

Nah, everybody knows you, Hugh!

You can read the whole article and see the TV Guide cover here.

Post from: Ugly Betty News

Wait, does that mean that we scooped Ausiello? I’ll be doggoned. You don’t see that very often. Of course, all we told you was some of the major plot points of the shows in the coming weeks. Ausiello gives us some concrete casting confirmation.

The question he answered:

Question: Any Ugly Betty scoop? Please? April 24 is so… far… away… [Wheeze, cough].— Meg

(This DOES seem like the longest delay in the history of work stoppages. But, I digress)

Ausiello’s answer after the jump!

Ausiello: Poor Meg. Sounds to me like someone’s dying… literally… [Snicker, guffaw] for some Betty prattle. So rather than delivering her last rites, let me give her some before it’s too late. A show rep confirms that Jayma Mays is signed, sealed and delivered — “delivered” perhaps being the operative word, given her character’s pregnancy — for two more episodes as Henry’s ex, Charlie. Meanwhile, a little bird also confirms for me that what the mom-to-be will be bringing her former beau and Betty won’t be so much a bundle of joy as a bundle of trouble. Speaking of trouble, Freddy Rodriguez is back for four more episodes as Betty’s not-so-insta-crush, Gio. .

So, Gio will be in 4 of the 5 new spisodes. Charlie will be in two. We know that Gio will be in episode 2.14, so he’ll NOT be in one of the final four.

OK, this is going to get me in trouble, but – do you think it’s possible they might kill Gio off? Freddy Rodriguez is floating somewhere between “guest star” and “recurring character”. If Silvio decides to keep the drama up for the finale by killing off a character, Gio sure seems to be a choice that will generate a lot of heat.

But, then again, why would they get rid of the one character in the show (besides Charlie) who injects drama into the Betty/Henry relationship?

One more possibility (for season 3): perhaps Charlie doesn’t make it through delivery, and Betty suddenly becomes a (sort of) mom? But then again, we have Hilda’s character to supply to “struggling mom” story lines, so that might be redundant.

But, April 24 is getting closer, and the speculation is getting to be a lot more fun!

Source: Ausiello

Post from: Ugly Betty News

For those of you, like me, who have been following these things closely, if you read between the lines, there are some confirmations of spoilers we have been guessing about (who dies, etc).

Scans after the jump!

I’m also guessing, based on what’s in the article, and the photo,  that Amanda is going to sing.  If you read the article (pay attention to the part about the organ), you can have a pretty good guess at WHAT she sings (OMG, it’s going to be hilarious).

Scan source: SpoilerTV

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