Let’s skip an episode – we have all week to talk about episode 4.07, Level(7) With Me.  Here is a cool video someone assembled from the promo pics for episode 4.08, The Bahamas Triangle (Warning -MUCHO SPOILERS!).

Warning to the hearing-enabled: this has a Shakira soundtrack. 

Everyone looks incredible.  Vanessa Williams is gorgeous as usual.  Is that one-piece Becki Newton wearing at the :40 mark incredible or what?  It looks like they let Pat Field and crew go nuts.

One question I have: is this AFTER Daniel’s cult de-programming, or do you think the trip IS Daniel’s de-programming?  He just looks so lost in many of the photos.

The 1920’s flashback scene looks like it will be awesome.

Bigtime spoilers happening at the 2:12 mark.  Funny, the promo pics I’ve seen of Connor in the Bahamas had him kissing Wilhelmina on the beach – this is quite different.  I can’t WAIT to see how this plays out.

I did not see Matt Newton (Troy) in any of the photos – did I miss him?  (although the pic at 1:06 is probably from a scene between Troy and Marc – he looks quite enamored).

This is going to be the most incredible episode!

Post from: Ugly Betty News

(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

It  looks like, based on what’s being said by Ausiello and at AfterElton, this is going to be an excellent episode, keeping par with what has already an excellent season.  Low ratings or not, I’m starting to see buzz about Ugly Betty that I haven’t seen in a couple of seasons. 

Anyway, according to Ausiello, it looks like tonight:

• “CSI: Miami’s Adam Rodriguez kicks off his multi-episode arc as Hilda’s bad-boy ex and promptly finds himself embroiled in a love triangle with the sisters Suarez. One minute into his debut, and I couldn’t believe Miami let this guy go.”  Even though a (hopefully short-lived) love triangle is not what many of us want to see, I like the sibling rivalry aspect of it, and Adam Rodriguez is very good, so he will add some spice to the show.
• “An embarrassing-turned-empowering incident at school leads to a major turning point in the ongoing saga of Justin’s sexuality that is alternately shocking and heartbreaking.”   Hmmmm.  All indications to me are that Justin will all but come out this episode.  “Embarrassing-turned-empowering” almost sounds like some of the things Betty went through early in season 1.  I expect the writers to handle this brilliantly.  Brent Hartinger of AfterElton puts it this way:  “Finally, Justin does answer the question, "Are you gay?" and it is — and isn’t — the answer you think.”

Some interesting spoilers after the jump…

• A significant character dies. I think.” – HUH???  This is the first I’ve heard of this.  “Significant” probably means recurring or guest star.  I know it’s not Archie because he is going to be in the Bahamas episode.  And they wouldn’t dare kill of Nico.  Or would they?  Is it Natalie?  I know there’s at least one more Community of the Phoenix episode, but I don’t know if Natalie is a part of it.  Regardless, they’re killing someone off this early in the season????  Wow!
• Mode is rocked by news of an OMG departure. – My first guess (and hope) is that it would be Marc.  Another possibility? Wilhelmina (again).  Long shot: Amanda.  I don’t think it’s Matt, or Cal, or Claire, or Daniel.  Of course, just by saying that, I’ve guaranteed that it’s going to be one of them. 

Regardless, after all I’ve read about this episode, I’m pretty excited to see it!

Image: SplashNewsOnline.com

Post from: Ugly Betty News

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!

Image: Bauer Griffin

Post from: Ugly Betty News

This looks like a date to me, and one that’s going well.  But, this could just be a friendly walk, such as we’ve seen Betty take with Daniel many times.

They seem to be walking around somewhere Betty knows, because she’s pointing out something to Matt.

I LOVE these red coats that Betty has been wearing, it is a very good color on her (and America Ferrera).

And Matt doesn’t resemble in any way the disheveled mess of last season.  He looks downright Daniel-like. 

This scene is interesting to me, because I haven’t seen anything in the upcoming episode synopses (and yes, I WILL be posting about them, and the shelved sweeps episode – which deserves its own post) about Betty and Matt getting back together.  So, for all we can tell, this is a (very) friendly walk.

Also, Betty either starts out, or end up, alone in this scene:

I’m guessing “starts”, because she’s headed down the stairs in this pic.  But, she looks upset, or concerned.

I know some of you (OK, most of you) are very against a Betty/Matt pairing, but, knowing the Ugly Betty writers, whatever they are setting up here is either a tease, or temporary.

Plus, where does Amanda (and her designs on Matt) play into this?  I actually kind of like the idea of Amanda and Matt, at least a little.  They do seem kind of made for each other.

Anyway, we’ll keep an eye on the upcoming episodes to see what this is all about!

Images: SplashNewsOnline.com

Post from: Ugly Betty News

Hat tip: B&B

First off, what’s up with Natalie’s Kate-Gosselin-hair?  Yes, it looks wonderful, but it really changes the character, by looks alone.  Maybe that’s on purpose.  As much as I liked her character in Blue on Blue, I’m guessing she’s going to end up being “the bad guy”, and Betty’s going to have to save Daniel from her.

Anyway, in the sneak peek, Natalie cannot eat restaurant food, she is eating “Maca-greenie and cheese”.  She then has a conversation with Daniel about Gloria, a weird woman from “the group”, who wears leg warmers everywhere.  They say she only eats green foods because they help her “phase” better.

Betty is uncomfortable the whole time, obviously out of the loop and feeling a little left out.  It’s kind pf sad – I’ve been there many times before myself, but Betty keeps her good manners and optimism and tries her best to at least appear interested in Daniel and Natalie’s inside conversation.

It looks like in this episode Betty will be jealous both romantically (Matt and Amanda) and platonically (Daniel and Natalie).  We know that things are going to get worse on at least one front, because Daniel is going to hire Natalie as his assistant.

Anyway, this looks to be another good episode!

Post from: Ugly Betty News

Hat tip: B&B

Betty and Daniel meet at the elevator; Daniel is heading to his group meeting, we don’t know what Betty is doing, but she seems to be leaving for the day.

Daniel tells Betty how “the group” is helping him cope with losing Molly.  He then says he notices she and Matt have been “chummy” lately.  He asks if “there’s anything (about them) she’d like to report".

Betty hems and haws, then mentions that the two of them (Daniel and Betty) have their first “non-professional, just friends”  lunch.

Betty then tells him that she’s going to help him find a new assistant, and Daniel says “how could I ever replace you?”

Daniel seems a little uncomfortable throughout this clip.  It would be interesting to know the circumstances immediately beforehand.

One other noticeable thing, for me, is the lack of Jeff Beal’s background music.  There is hardly ever a scene, and never a scene where two people meet, where there isn’t music, so I’m assuming the clip was created before post-production. But, that’s just a guess – maybe they’ve had more “music-less” scenes in the past than I’ve noticed.

Anyway, it’s great to see the producers give a tip of the hat to the Detty fans in the episode, airing this Friday at 9/8c.

Post from: Ugly Betty News

You’ll recognize Stevens right away, because he always plays “that creepy guy”.  I remember a recurring role on CSI NY where Stevens was spectacular.  Then, of course, there’s the role he played on Lost (George Minkoski)

On Betty, he will play Mr. Z., a dry and sarcastic landlord.  When they cast the role, they were looking for a "New York actor who could go head-to-head with America Ferrera."

Personally, I love Stevens, and I think I’ll love what he brings to the show.

One thing we know his character will bring to the show is the fact that Betty will move back out of the house again.  We know this because Stevens cannot be the Suarezes landlord, because they bought their house last season.

I wonder, though, is this the apartment Amanda is living in (which supposedly Betty still leases), or will they get Betty another one? (I think she should get her own place in Queens). 

The whole “Betty moves back home” story line, I think was a mistake – especially since Ignacio was better and fooling around with his nurse a few episodes later.  I also believe that the production crew and writers did not all agree that this should happen.

Regardless, if Betty is going to get a new landlord, I can’t think of a better actor to play him than Fisher Stevens!

Image: Bauer Griffin

Post from: Ugly Betty News

Two things stand out: Betty looks more stylish than ever, and she seems kind of flummoxed.

I like the pink empire-waisted thing (is that considered a coat?  a sweater?  Forgive me, I’m showing my fashion ignorance.  To me, a coat should have buttons.  )  The hat is a nice touch, as well.  The only “Betty-fied” part of her outfit is the purse, which really stands out.

Betty seems upset about something – but I have a feeling we’ll be seeing a lot of that this season (Being an editor is WAR! – as Wilhelmina told Betty).  Amongst all the scheming by everyone she’s surrounded by, it’s no wonder.

What Betty needs to do is what America is doing here…exhale.

Images: SPlashNewsOnline.com

Post from: Ugly Betty News

Betty is going to try to get a scoop in her new job as features editor at Mode: 

She goes all out in her pursuit of Gucci’s fresh designer, Evan York (Hamish Linklater) but she needs help.  Enter Hilda, and her well-connected customer Sammy (Adam Ferrara).

Marc, of course, is still angry with Betty and tries to sabotage her. He gets the help of Amanda (as usual), AND Matt (this is why we’ve seen the two of them together – I really don’t think Amanda and Matt are really going to become a couple).

Things come to a head in the restaurant where Ignacio works.  Apparently, there’s going to be a showdown between Betty and Matt/Amanda.  I would imagine Betty is going to temporarily lose her mind.    It’s going to get so bad, Ignacio COULD lose his job over the scene that gets made.

Daniel decides to take control of his own life again.  He starts to go to meetings of a bereavement group, where he meets Natalie (Jamie-Lynn Sigler),  described as “sexy and wild”.  She ends up taking him on a wild night on the town, which “Daniel will never forget”.

(This may be one of those scenes where things are spiraling out of Daniel’s control, and he’s embarrassed – Eric Mabius is hilarious in these type scenes, like in his dream about Betty seducing him).

This will also be the episode where Wilhelmina learns that Connor is in Bermuda.  That should make for an interesting eyebrow raise.

I can’t wait to watch this episode tonight!

Image: Bauer Griffin

Post from: Ugly Betty News