No, say it isn't so! Michael Ausiello reports that ABC has canceled Ugly Betty. First the network moves it from its normal night to a kiss of death Friday time slot. Then they stop marketing support. It's infuriating. To ad insult to injury, the network has trimmed this season's episode order from 22 to 20.
Although not a complete shock given the show's heinous ratings, the news is nonetheless a total bummer -- particularly in light of Betty's creative resurgence this season.
The good news is that ABC has given Betty's bosses enough time to craft a satisfying series finale. Exec producer Silvio Horta and ABC president Steve McPherson confirmed as much in this joint statement: "We've mutually come to the difficult decision to make this Ugly Betty's final season, and are announcing now as we want to allow the show ample time to write a satisfying conclusion. We are extremely proud of this groundbreaking series, and felt it was important to give the fans a proper farewell."
Ugly Betty has been on fire this season. We are not happy.
Video: America Ferrera Talks New Season of Ugly Betty
America Ferrera talks about the new season of Ugly Betty and how Betty Suarez is changing now that she's an editor. Betty's getting a new look over time (which we think is totally appropriate) and she's moving up in the world. ABC is not treating the show well: they've moved it from its prime Thursday night spot to the Timeslot of Death on Friday nights. So be sure to tune in tonight on ABC at 9:00 p.m Eastern/8:00 p.m. Central. You can catch up on full episodes for free at ABC.com. This season is really great so far. Take a look:
Jamie-Lynn Sigler - best known for her role on The Sopranos - will be playing Daniel's new assistant, Natalie, on the next season of Ugly Betty. Betty, played by America Ferrera, was promoted to features editor so she will no longer be Daniel's assistant.
Sopranos vet Jamie-Lynn Sigler is joining the cast of Ugly Betty in the recurring role of Natalie, Daniel's sexy, spiritual, funny new assistant, sources confirm to me exclusively.
Natalie replaces Betty, who was promoted to features editor in last May's season finale.
It will be interesting to see how Daniel reacts to having a new assistant.
There is plenty of romance on Ugly Betty. But if Eric Mabius (who plays Betty's boss, Daniel Meade) has his way his character won't ever fall in love with Betty Suarez, who is played by American Ferrera.
If you read message boards and fan websites, many viewers of the ABC comedy are rooting for what may seem an unlikely couple: Betty and her ladies man boss, Daniel Meade.
There are even montages of their scenes together set to romantic music on YouTube.
Despite the hype, Eric Mabius, who plays Meade, says the hookup won't happen if he has anything to say about it. "That would be the equivalent of us jumping the shark," the 37-year-old says.
Betty and her playboy boss have gotten romantic in other international versions of the show and Mabius says it's been the swan song for those productions.
"In all the other series ... they get married and the show ends! I'm not too excited about that idea!"
We're not so worried about Betty's love live. We think it's time she had a makeover. We can't wait much longer for Betty to turn into America Ferrera and look fabulous.
Ugly Betty premieres tonight at 8:00 p.m. Eastern/7:00 p.m. Central time on ABC and we can't wait. The show has moved to New York City for filming, and American Ferrera said the location change really adds to the look and feel of the show. In this hilarious clip, Mark and Amanda celebrate their Friendaversy and dish on the Mode After Hours Vlog. Take a look:
Apparently, America Ferrera is not a huge fan of Gossip Girl. In this clip from E's The Soup, America and Blake Lively are discussing their new movie, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2. The talk then turned to Blake's show,Gossip Girl. Watch America's face as Blake babbles on like a dim bulb. It's hilarious. To be charitable, it's possible America was just tired from all the promotion. Or she really is in shock that Blake sounds like such an idiot. You decide.
Ugly Betty star America Ferrera has just had her smile insured for $10 million. America has been signed to be the spokesperson for Aquafresh White Trays. Not wanting to take any chances, the company insured her smile with Lloyd's of London. Aquafresh is launching its new product, called Aquafresh Write Trays, in a benevolent fashion. The company supports a program called Smiles for Success, which
to raise money for Smiles for Success, a nationwide organization that provides free dental care for women transitioning from welfare to work. The organzation's focus is helping women who are trying to get their lives together. But it's hard to go on a job interview with damaged or missing teeth, so Smiles For Success gets them dental work.
America supports the organization and stated,
"I'm proud to partner with Aquafresh White Trays in its commitment to support Smiles for Success – which is a great organization that provides much needed dental care to women as they're moving from welfare into the workforce.
This donation from Aquafresh White Trays is a significant amount of money for this cause and will help the women they support to face the world with confidence -- and that's something to smile about."
Aquafresh will donate $1 for every box of product purchased between now and August 31, 2007. In addition, the brand will also donate $1 for every person who enters the "Beauty That Fits" sweepstakes at HowMuchIsThisSmileWorth.com for a total combined donation of up to $100,000.
The teeth whitening marketing is a big one, and it's only getting bigger. Aquafresh says that its new White Trays are closer to what you get with dentist whitening. The trays are soft and are pre-filled with whitening gel.
The trays are available at major chain drugstores and retail for $34.99. They're also available online at Amazon.com.
We haven't tried them, but they certainly sound promising.
Jamie-Lynn Sigler - best known for her role on The Sopranos - will be playing Daniel's new assistant, Natalie, on the next season of Ugly Betty. Betty, played by America Ferrera, was promoted to features editor so she will no longer be Daniel's assistant.
Ugly Betty star America Ferrera has just had her smile insured for $10 million. America has been signed to be the spokesperson for Aquafresh White Trays. Not wanting to take any chances, the company insured her smile with Lloyd's of London. Aquafresh is launching its new product, called Aquafresh Write Trays, in a benevolent fashion. The company supports a program called Smiles for Success, which
to raise money for Smiles for Success, a nationwide organization that provides free dental care for women transitioning from welfare to work. The organzation's focus is helping women who are trying to get their lives together. But it's hard to go on a job interview with damaged or missing teeth, so Smiles For Success gets them dental work.
