But ABC’s going to have to do better than pitting it against “The Office” and “My Name is Earl”. Ah well. I’m sure they’ll figure something out, eventually.
Kind of wryly humorous – running at 8:00 PM on Thursday, it’s also up against a show on the Spanish-language Univision, a cable channel… the show is “La Fea Más Bella.”
It’s the show “Ugly Betty” is based on. 
(Actually, strictly speaking, “La Fea Más Bella” is also a clone; it’s a Mexican version of a Columbian telenovela called “Yo Soy Betty La Fea,” which was the original.)
ABC Family is rerunning it at 7PM Eastern on Friday nights. That’s the only way we’re going to see it, since our Tivo already gets My Name Is Earl and The Office on one channel and *Smallville * on another.
Yeah, but…
I can technically get the same effect by recording the NBC shows with my receiver’s over-the-air (OTA) DTV tuner and recording “Ugly Betty” with its satellite tuner off my provider’s “local channels” feed. But then, OTA is the only way I can get HDTV and 5.1 surround sound, and if I can’t get it that way, I don’t want it crippled. I’d rather wait for the DVD.
Thanks! Until we hook up our DVR, that’s good to know.
Why does ABC hate America…Fererra?
Did anyone watch? I really enjoyed last night’s premiere, though the scene with the photographer made me hurt.
I liked it, too, though I’m not sure about their going all telenovela with faux-Anna Wintour not really being dead.
Darn it. I forgot to watch it. Can is there a synopsis anywhere?
But I thought it was based on “Betty La Fea,” after all, they have the same name. (I haven’t seen “La fea as bella.”)
After being forced to forced to watch so many normal telenovelas, “Betty La Fea” was a Godsend. (I have every episode on tape.)
I think Television Without Pity is going to be recapping.
Go to: www.televisionwithoutpity.com and look on the front page for a recaplet. The longer one won’t be available for a few days.
I don’t know what the differences between the two shows are, or if the US version is closer to the original Colombian show (Yo soy Betty la Fea) or the Mexican one. However, when the original showed here in Panama its time slot was always the best time to go to the supermarket, because everyone else was home then watching it. Restaurants had to install TVs if they didn’t want to be empty then.
I loved it. I loved the over the topness, I loved the telenovela music, I liked the “but is she really dead?” subplot.
And America Fererra is awesome.
Yay for two tuner Tivo!
Without having watched it, and just seeing the promos, I was kind of annoyed they went with the “ugly=hot girl with glasses and braces” formula like so many teen movies. How long before she takes them off and is suddenly hot?
I recorded it on my DVR anyway, but haven’t watched it yet.
I’ve been referring to it as “Hollywood Ugly” Betty.
Ferrera is pretty, but probably few would consider her “hot.” I think the casting was inspired.
I TIVO’d it and tried to watch it last night. America Ferrera was great in “Real Women have Curves” and “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants”, and I thought her acting was fine in this – but I just couldn’t get in to this show.
I watched about 15 - 20 minutes of it and said “nah”.
J.
Well, I was just going by her headshot at IMDB. But going through the photo gallery, you’re right. I guess headshots are deceiving.
Yeah, nah. Insipid and predictable with no interesting takes on cliches to make it worth watching.
I think the “ugly” title is only a reference to the fashion-conscious twits at the publishing house where she works, and it’s how they probably see/refer to her. Whether you find the actress herself ugly or beautiful, in the eyes of the style snobs, she’s ugly. Regardless, she kind of sticks out like a sore thumb at work, even if only because she isn’t bone-thin, covered in makeup, and wearing high fashion.
As far as the show, I found it ‘eh’. It’s been getting lots of press but I think it’s only because of the title, that it’s a crossover from Spanish telenovela, and its producer is Selma Hayek, not because it’s necessarily that great. I might give it another week.
Nah - they managed to fug her up pretty good, actually. Also, she has the dorky, awkward walk down pat.
I think it’s a bit like The Truth About Cats and Dogs - Ferrera is a nice looking gal - it’s just compared to the 5’10" uber-glammed up supermodels on the rest of the staff she looks very plain. Also, she was wearing a “Guatemala” poncho, and if that’s not FUGLY, I don’t know what is.
FWIW - I was surprised by and liked the fact that her boss winds up being her ally.