Ugly Betty
A smart outsider challenges the fashion world.
Ugly Betty, an American comedy-drama created by Silvio Horta, ran on ABC from September 2006 to April 2010. It was inspired by the Colombian telenovela Yo soy Betty, la fea, from Fernando Gaitán. The story centers on Betty Suarez, a clever, kind young woman from Queens who lands a job at Mode, a high-end fashion magazine, despite her complete lack of fashion sense. The cast includes America Ferrera as Betty, along with Eric Mabius, Vanessa Williams, Ana Ortiz, Tony Plana, Michael Urie, and Becki Newton. The show earned critical praise for its acting, especially Ferrera's, and for tackling themes like identity, body image, and representation. It won two Golden Globes, three Emmys, and a 2007 Peabody Award.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Comedy drama, Romantic comedy
- Based on
- Yo soy Betty
- la fea
- Fernando Gaitán
- Developer
- Silvio Horta
- Composer
- Jeff Beal
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
- Seasons
- 4
- Episodes
- 85
Facts from the source article.
Plot
Betty Suarez is a quirky Mexican American woman from Queens, New York, lacking fashion sense and known for her adult braces, unusual wardrobe, sweet nature, and slight naïveté. She lands a job at Mode, a high-fashion magazine in Manhattan owned by Bradford Meade. Bradford hires Betty as his womanizing son Daniel's personal assistant to curb his habit of sleeping with assistants. Over time, Betty and Daniel become friends and help each other navigate their professional and personal lives. Life at Mode is made difficult by creative director Wilhelmina Slater, who schemes to steal Daniel's job, and by her assistant Marc St. James and receptionist Amanda Tanen, who mock Betty. Betty gains loyal friends in seamstress Christina McKinney and accountant Henry Grubstick, and strong support from her father Ignacio, sister Hilda, and nephew Justin.
Cast and characters
America Ferrera plays Betty Suarez, a smart, kind-hearted young woman from Queens who works at Mode despite her lack of fashion sense, growing into a confident professional. Eric Mabius portrays Daniel Meade, the editor-in-chief of Mode who matures with Betty's influence. Vanessa Williams plays Wilhelmina Slater, the ambitious creative director known for manipulation, whose vulnerabilities are gradually revealed. Alan Dale appears as Bradford Meade (seasons 1-2), the CEO of Meade Publications and father to Daniel. Judith Light plays Claire Meade (recurring season 1; main seasons 2-4), Bradford's wife who is introduced while imprisoned for murder. Michael Urie plays Marc St. James, Wilhelmina's flamboyant assistant who becomes more sympathetic over time. Becki Newton plays Amanda Tanen, the receptionist initially superficial and mocking, later more complex. Tony Plana plays Ignacio Suarez, Betty and Hilda's father, a caring man whose undocumented status forms early storylines. Ana Ortiz plays Hilda Suarez, Betty's outspoken older sister and a single mother who runs a beauty salon.
Production
The idea to bring Ugly Betty to American TV began in 2001 when NBC planned a half-hour comedy adaptation, but it did not get past planning stages until ABC and Salma Hayek's company came on board in 2004, retooling it as an hour-long comedy drama. ABC announced the title would be Betty the Ugly but changed it back to Ugly Betty on July 14, 2006. On October 13, 2006, ABC ordered a full season pick-up due to premiere ratings, increasing the first season from 13 to 23 episodes. The season finale is called "East Side Story." On March 21, 2007, ABC renewed the series for a second season. Ben Silverman remained co-executive producer in a limited role after joining NBC. In November 2007, the cast supported the 2007 Writers' strike by joining the picket line; Ferrera stated the issues with actors' contracts were similar to those of writers. On November 25, the cast appeared in a 38-second video for "Speechless Hollywood."
Reception
The show's impact attracted the attention of the United States Congress; on January 17, 2007, California congresswoman Hilda Solis saluted Ferrera for her Golden Globe win and for bringing a positive profile to Latin communities. On May 8, 2007, Ferrera was honored by TIME on its list of the 100 most influential people. Malala Yousafzai has cited Ugly Betty as an early source on her development as a feminist, having been encouraged by her father to watch the show to improve her English. The series won two Golden Globe Awards on January 15, 2007, for Best Leading Actress in a Comedy Series (Ferrera) and Best Comedy Series. Ferrera also won a SAG Award on January 28, 2007. On June 4, 2007, the series received a Peabody Award. Ugly Betty won the Outstanding Comedy Series award by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation in April 2007. Judith Light won a Prism Award. On July 19, 2007, the series received 11 Emmy nominations, winning three: Outstanding Casting, Outstanding Directing for the pilot, and Outstanding Lead Actress (Ferrera).
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