Monday, January 30, 2006

"Ugly Betty" Coming Soon

US networks have finally realized that the telenovela is perfect for American television. Viewers commit to a soap opera, knowing it will last one season with countless cliffhangers and a definite beginning, middle and end. (That's just right for time-strapped people who don't want to commit to a new show for the next five years, not to mention immediate DVD sales.) And one of the first telenovelas to be greenlit is "Ugly Betty," the wildly popular Colombian soap about a plain-looking secretary who flourishes at work. America Ferrera of "Real Women have Curves" is the very smart choice for the lead. And not to worry -- she'll get to blossom as the show goes on. Look for it this summer.

17 comments:

Unknown said...

I heard Vanessa Williams has a part in this show. I am a huge fan!

Anonymous said...

I just saw I guess it was a preview of the show tonight!!! I thought it was amazing!! The cast was great especially America Ferrera as ugly betty. I really hope ABC sees the potential in this show and really pushes for its success in the summer or fall...if not it will be a big shame.

Anonymous said...

"ugly betty" is set to start shooting episodes in july, '06. salma hayek is also on the bill.

Anonymous said...

i just saw the preview for it and i was so excited. I had actually watched the original colombian version of this and hopefully the american version will be just as good. does anyone know exactly when in the fall it will premiere? selma hayek isn't on the show, she's co-producing it.

Anonymous said...

I've seen the previews for this and think that it's going to be a big flop. I applaud ABC and Hayek for trying to address Latina/os in the US but why are they trying to import a soap from Latin America? If I wanted to see that I would see the original (which I did) or the current adaptation from Mexico, La Fea Mas Bella. The greatest mistake that ABC as well as other TV executives make is in ignoring that Latina/os in the US have our own sensibilities that are unique due to the lives we have here.

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure that they're exactly aiming it towards Latinos. If you look at the site for it you'll see that the cast looks pretty American: http://abc.go.com/primetime/schedule/2006-07/betty.html

I think what they are trying to import is the concept of the Telenovela, and the storyline/theme of the original Betty la Fea. Not sure if it'll work either (the Colombian version was unique unto itself, I think!) but we'll see...

Anonymous said...

Am looking forward to checking this out. Saw the original and am admittedly a rabid fan who had an absolute blast watching "Yo Soy Betty La Fea". I hope this version does it justice. I also think the Mexican version (La Fea Mas Bella) doesn't hold a candle to the original. Incidentally, I don't think it is aimed solely at the Latino audience; I think Salma Hayek just wants to share the laughs and the fun with the English speaking American public. We'll see if it works. If not, oh well, I'll always have my Telemundo.

Anonymous said...

personally i think this is going to be a big flop as well. i mean i saw the preview and i have a feeling it's not going to be as huge as it is in latin america. i mean the mexican adaptation is enough but that's it. the american adaptation is just streching it. i say watch the original or the current mexican verison.

Anonymous said...

I saw original colombian version twice but I not really big fan of the american version some the

Anonymous said...

some original story polt is not the same as american version. That really suck. I will still see it but I hope smart and fun as original. :|

Anonymous said...

Well the original version "betty la fea" seemed to be good, I actually didn't watch it at all but I am actually watching the mexican version which is "la fea mas bella" and its awesome. I think this ugly betty is going to be really good too, it is a good idea so american people can also have a good time watching this and not only spanish speakers with the other two versions. umm and I am soo excited to see how this new version makes the characters.. I hope they are as good as the mexican version...or better...

Anonymous said...

The German adaptation of "Yo soy Betty, la fea" has been one of Germany's most successful daily telenovellas for more than a year now. When Today I saw a picture of "Ugly Betty" Ferrera on the ABC website. I have never seen the Colombian original, but at first sight the US version looks like a perfect copy of Germany's "Verliebt in Berlin". Take a look at http://www.sat1.de/vib/ and see.

Anonymous said...

The pilot hasn't even premiered and so many are already quick to crucify this show. Without giving any consideration to the show before it (Betty la Fea, etc), the premise seems to work, quirky and satirical humor, and the time slot that the show was awarded is definitely a big plus. Think back on show like Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Third Rock from the Sun, both unconventional. Lets not forget that Buffy was also previously a badly directed B-movie. I believe the show has a very prominent chance to last the season. Lay down your torches and pinch forks folks, and see this for what it is: commerial television.

Anonymous said...

Ugly Betty is " Verliebt in Berlin". German version. I saw the ending of the show this week.

Anonymous said...

I watch this show in spanish all the time. I can't wait to see it in english. Its a great show. in spanish its on five days a week. I think people will really enjoy it.

Anonymous said...

The show will premiere Thursday September 28th at 8pm eastern

Anonymous said...

Though Latina/os are surely not only target audience for the show I do thinkt that ABC expects Latina/os to be the anchor audience--the one's who tell all their friends to watch the show--since it's Latina/os that are familiar with the original and love it. Is there someone out there that's excited about this show that hasn't seen a version of it in Spanish?

Plus, although things are slowly changing, how often has a Latina been a lead in primetime? Or any other time for that matter? And Latino-ness or Mexican-ness will be an issue on the show. I mean, "killer poncho!"?