For many fans and commentators, season 3- which resumed with episode 11 'Dressed For Success' in January -was the show's low point in its history: I disagree entirely. I personally do not think it was a complete disaster and it was a shame that it endured so much criticism at the time. Yes there were things which I and many fans didn't agree with unanimously, such as Betty moving back home, Betty's regression as a character- which had inevitably annoyed many of us, and the way the writers dropped a few below- par episodes,- like for instance, 'The Sex Issue', 'The Courtship of Betty's Father' which many didn't care for. But certainly from where I stand, season 3 was NOT the gigantic, monsterious 'failure' that others have lauded.
Season 4 began on Friday nights, and so far in spite of what Tom from Ugly Betty News has pointed out on his site, the show is improving a great deal but I wouldn't say I enjoy it more than season 1 and even 3 itself. It is getting back to its best almost, but it is by and far NOT season 1 quality best and I have missed Marc and Amanda together.
I have noticed on Ugly Betty News and other Ugly Betty related sites that whereas people have gone on record to say they are clearly enjoying season 4, they have made no mention of Marc and Amanda whatsoever. For me, they and Wilhelmina make the show watchable from a comical point of view. As I said before, Ugly Betty suffers a great deal in terms of comedy when there is an almost complete lack of humour, and there haven't been that many funny moments taking place in season 4. Without Marc and Amanda and even Willie joking alongside, the show lacks what partly made the first series so wonderful and enjoyable and made us become fans. And that is the humour and funny lines. Right now, there is just too much drama going on.
The drama is good of course, but this show is also a comedy as well and so, hopefully in 2010, as the show progresses we'll have more light hearted, feel good moments thrown in for good measure. As for myself,
I felt that 'Be Shure', 'Backseat Betty' and 'The Weiner, The Bun and The Boob' were three of the better episodes from this season so far for me- both are excellently written with some good, heartfelt and hilarious moments thrown in. Season 4 will get better in time I'm sure of that and with the new timeslot on Wednesday nights at 10.00pm, it should help matters.
The move to Friday nights was a massive disaster for Ugly Betty in 2009- whilst episodes have improved each week, its figures were dropping down, like flies as the show struggled to maintain the show's core demographic audience.
Back in the UK, the showing of season 3 of Ugly Betty- which was originally delayed in 2008 on Channel 4, after its airing of the season 2 finale, 'Jump', was finally given the green light during the period of June this year. 'The Manhattan Project'- the series 3 opener, debuted to respectable viewing figures on Channel 4 and the finale, 'The Fall Issue' on December 14 achieved almost a million viewers.
Overall, I thought 2009 was a very good year for Ugly Betty, speaking as a fan (and a much better one for me, especially compared to the first (and second) half of 2008- what with Lindsay Lohan's behind- the- scenes antics, which managed to earn the show a few column inches in the tabloids, as well as the dissapointment of season 2). Sure there were criticisms, complaints and doubts about the third season from many fans of the show and critics. But the show and the cast have managed to withstand all that and continued in doing their own thing, for as long as it remains on air.
And with that in mind, 2010 will hopefully be an even more promising one for Betty and co. Bring it on!
Waiching
Very good article =)
ReplyDeleteI totally agree and I still have total faith in the writers and producers. The cast has seemed to up their game this season and I cant wait till Jan 6th!
thank you for your comments anonymous. :)
ReplyDeletecan't wait for jan 6th either! yay!