Our friend Ausiello at EW.com has some interesting Ugly Betty scoopage:

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.

Image: SplashNewsOnline.com

Have you seen the Ugly Betty casting news first seen on SpoilerTV, then confirmed by Ausiello?

Exclusive - Ugly Betty - Episode 4.01 - Casting Call for Major Recurring Role
[EMILY] 20’s, female, gorgeous, African American, must be a strong actress. MAJOR RECURRING ROLE.

I’ve seen speculation that this is a reworking of Wilhelmina’s daughter, but this makes no sense to me.  Wilhelmina’s daughter was named Nico (speaking of, I DO think it’s time for her to make an appearance again).

Besides, that whole “new Darren” thing always leads to no good.

The name of this character (Emily), also blows a theory I had when I first saw this.  I thought to myself, wouldn’t it be neat if in season 4 Wilhelmina had visions / flashbacks just as Betty did in seasons 1 and 2?  I can see Willy, right after some dastardly deed, having a conversation with “Wanda”, her younger, pre-Wilhelmina self.

The only problem with this is that it would be almost impossible to pull off, because we ALL are very familiar with what young Vanessa Williams looked like (some of us who got our hands on a certain magazine have seen more than others ).

So, this “Emily” is a new character.  Could she be Matt’s new girlfriend?  A new corporate person?  A model with a secret?

The only thing I ask the producers – PLEASE do not make her a love interest for Daniel.  At LEAST give the man till the mid-season break to grieve.

Image: Bauer-Griffin

Something tells me that tonight’s 2-hour season finale of Ugly Betty is going to be a rough one for Daniel Meade. 

We’ve heard for months that someone on the show is going to die, and all indications have been that it’s going to be the brand new Mrs. Meade, Molly.  Not only that, but he is going to appear on “The View” for what should be a lighthearted interview, but apparently Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck turn it into Frost vs Nixon.

Eric Mabius is very, very good when his character Daniel is suddenly in an uncomfortable situation, so I expect this scene to be great.

"It really felt like a normal segment on our show," Hasselbeck tells TVGuide.com. "I felt we had a home-field advantage [at our studio]. It was [Eric Mabius'] character trying to fit in and feeling awkward — as I’m sure many guests do when we start grilling them!”

Behar says The View makes for a great inclusion in entertainment. "We’re part of the national lexicon now. People use The View as a jumping-off point — for better or for worse," she says.  [I make no secret that I can’t stand The View, but she’s right]

Apparently, the two were allowed to heavily improvise.  “The script merely served as a backbone for the tone of conversation," Hasselbeck says. "After we said our lines, we continued [talking] as we normally do here."

This is only one small part of what promises to be an exciting season finale.  Wilhelmina will play tennis with Billie Jean King, and sing with Victoria!  Of course, there’s the return of Henry.  Please join us here tonight at 8/7c for the live blog!

Image: Newscom

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.

Welcome to the our weekly gathering of Ugly Betty fans, as we watch and react to the airing of a new episode. This week’s episode is 3.22, In The Stars.

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.

I’m REALLY looking forward to this one.

Join us tonight at 8/7c!

This should be very fun to watch:  apparently in Thursday’s episode of Ugly Betty, 3.22 - In The Stars, Marc gets a very unlikely female admirer.

TV guide has the scoop.  Bernadette Peters tells them that her character Jodi Papadakis “is starting to make a play for him. [Marc] “

Hoo boy.  This might be like the Marc/Amanda makeout scene on steriods.  I can’t wait to see how Michael Urie plays this.

As we know, Betty, Marc and Matt are going to be working together on a very important project for YETI, which involves a photo shoot with singer Adele.  But it seems things will get complicated when Jodi unexpectedly turns her eye to Marc.

“For my character to hit on Marc is a total surprise,” said Peters. “Her boyfriend just broke up with her the night before, and he just looked good. She just was so vulnerable. And poor Marc is like, ‘Wait a minute, what’s going on here?’ She just doesn’t know which end is up.”

As an aside, this will do nothing to quell those complaints that Ugly Betty is a very reluctant “gayest show on TV” (There were several who were quite angry after Suzuki St Pierre turned out to be a straight guy from the suburbs. I thought it was hilarious, but to each his own.)

Here’s another twist that might reveal some of Betty’s future:  “There’s a certain newspaper [Jodie's] been trying to get into for years, and it turns out they’re interested in Betty,” said Peters. “So, Jodie gets really jealous.”

I knew Silvio Horta said Betty would have an opportunity.  I assumed her promotion (which Horta says will happen) would come because of Matt.  But, I wonder if Betty will have to be promoted to keep her from leaving for the newspaper job?

I can’t wait for tomorrow night!  There will be a live blog, so join us here at 8/7c!

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?

Here is the press release for the Ugly Betty Season 3 finale (which is two episodes back-to-back).  3.23 is entitled “Curveball”,and 3.24 is “The Fall Issue”. 

Fair warning: the synopses are quite spoiler-ish about things that will happen in the next two episodes, so turn ye back, all who are spoiler-averse!  You have been warned.

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.

Pardon my quoting the promos for last season’s finale, but…

OMG.

OK, first, about Claire and the Hartleys.  I haven’t even had a chance to post about this yet, but apparently ABC execs stopped a story line about a supposed affair between Claire and Victoria from making it to the air.  At least that’s the story.  I’m not so sure, though.  These hints sure make it seem like it might be “the deep, dark secret” after all.

So, Betty and Matt plan to move in together.  Second verse, same as the first.  I wonder how Ignacio will react to that one.  He didn’t do so well the first time with Henry.  I seriously doubt the extra zeros in the bank account will make much difference.  (Speaking as a father)

Henry’s storyline will last at least these two episodes, it seems.  I don’t know if he’s actually IN both episodes (he isn’t listed in the guest star list of either one - only in the synopsis of “Curveball”).

You guys were right - it’s an unknown, unseen editor who falls to his/her death in “The Fall Issue”.  As much as I like Marc, I’d say the odds are pretty good that Betty gets the editor job.  THAT will be awesome.

I can’t tell you how weird that feels, reading “Daniel’s transformation from playboy to devoted husband…”  That storyline will provide this year’s “Santos gets shot” moment that was just plain missing from last season’s finale.  No matter what you think of Molly,I’d advise an extra box of tissues.

AND, Justin had better get into performing arts school.  We could have some real “Fame” moments next season.

For what it’s worth, Silvio Horta wrote “The Fall Issue” himself. 

This is going to be the finale we were hoping to have last season, I think.

Image: SplashNewsOnline.com