News for Aussie, New Zealand Betty fans especially:
I just went on the Sanity Entertainment website and saw that the region 4, DVD set of Season 3 of Ugly Betty will be out to buy online from Dec 1st this year, priced $59.99.
Region 4 covers Australia, New Zealand, Oceania, Caribbean, Mexico and Central and South America.
The website says the artwork cover is not final; however, I still expect it to look similar or identical to the Season 3 covers in U.S and U.K, as well as have the same special bonus features. But if not, I'll post more details and the final design for the DVD cover- should it look completely different to regions 1 and 2's versions, that is.
Check it out here:
Sanity.Com
Thursday, 29 April 2010
Australia: Ugly Betty Airs Next Week Tues With 2 Back To Back Episodes
Ugly Betty update
Some changes through from 7TWO….
Next Tuesday May 4th, Ugly Betty airs as a double episode from 6:30pm, bumping Full House and Samantha Who out -both shows remain on other nights.
Corrected: On May 11th, Ugly Betty will be at 6:30pm with Situation Critical at 7:30pm.
Meanwhile Eli Stone is out on Thursday 6th with a double Prime Suspect in place from 8:30pm.
Same again on May 13.
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
ABC's Video Tribute To Ugly Betty
Here is ABC's musical tribute to Ugly Betty's 4 year run- although frankly, most fans could care less in seeing this and are of whom still harbouring ill- feelings towards them, given they had cancelled the show back in January.
Here is the track listing:
- Shakira- Hips Don't Lie
- Cast- 'Something's Coming and 'Somewhere'
- Wicked cast- Wicked Medley
- Amanda (aka Becki Newton)- Milkshake
- Madonna- Jump
- Other Lives- Black Table
- Adele- Right As Rain
- Cyndi Lauper- Time After Time
- Little Boots- New In Town
- Renee Olstead- A Love That Will Last
- Macy Gray- Beauty In The World
My favourite tracks from that list are Little Boots 'New In Town' and Cyndi Lauper's Time After Time.
Nonetheless, it is a good vid- it comprises of musical scenes from the series. Definitely worth watching.
Fan Responses To My LJ Topic
Ok so I posted an LJ topic for discussion on the Ugly Betty site, along with a couple of choice comments/pointers of my own. As a result, it generated lots of good arguments, replies. A few blamed ABC for what they did and what had happened, whilst another person thought that the lack of fan support and hence, ex-fans turning their backs on the show for good, had evidently signalled UB's demise. Here I ask what, according to them, led to the show being cancelled.
These are a few responses:
LJ topic: Who Killed This Show?
19th century girl:
Silvio and the writers are mostly to blame. The writer's strike as well. ABC put a lot of faith in Silvio and Betty but to me at least all the roads lead back to Silvio. He's the male version of Shonda Rhimes (Shonda Rhimes is the exec. prod, writer and director of Greys Anatomy and Private Practice).
There is no use blaming anyone. Shows always have ups and downs and thats just the way it is. Nothing is perfect. I am still thankful for the downs because without it there would be no ups.
If you want to actually blame someone, blame ABC because if they had promoted in S3, ratings would have been normal. And had they kept it on Thursdays for S4, ratings would have been fine with a huge promo lift. Flashforward and about 6 other shows were cancelled/ending (Hank, Eastwick, Scrubs, Better off Ted, Flash Forward, V) and they didn't work (except Lost, making the total number of shows they lost this year 8 - including Betty)
Fountainhead98:
I do think it's funny that some fans are putting the blame squarely on ABC's shoulders. Let's face it: Generally speaking, the networks are in it for business, not to keep fans happy. If a show is popular, then they are going to keep promoting it as much as possible. They are going to invest in whatever is a major product for them. (For ABC, this would be "Grey's Anatomy" or "Modern Family".) But once that product starts to drift from the minds of viewers, they're going to pay less attention to it and instead, they'll bank on other things that are still working. Is that fair? Hell, no. But for them, it's good business.
In fact, before we can blame the network, maybe we should blame 'the force' that drives the network's hand - namely, the former fans who left this show to die. As thisisaudo astutely pointed out, the network would've renewed UB if it still had its loyal fan-base intact. However, plenty of them jumped ship long ago (not that I can blame some of them, of course). And that, we know, wasn't ABC's doing. Viewers left on their own free will. With that in mind, something had to turn them off, of course...which is why this eventually comes back to Silvio and his team of writers. (BTW, he's still the head writer and showrunner. So although everyone gets their say, it was generally his direction that they were following at the end of the day.)
For my part, I didn't hate Seasons 1 and 2, and I actually liked the first nine episodes of Season 3. But IMO, everything went downhill after that.
Asinnerofsorts:
More often than not the fans make it sound like a conspiracy. Of course the fans wouldn't have been ready for the show to end, but four seasons is an admirable run. I'd rather it ended now/early than it go on and on and resort to reusing plot points or outstaying its welcome.
These are a few responses:
LJ topic: Who Killed This Show?
19th century girl:
'SILVIO HORTA IS THE MALE VERSION OF SHONDA RHIMES'
Silvio and the writers are mostly to blame. The writer's strike as well. ABC put a lot of faith in Silvio and Betty but to me at least all the roads lead back to Silvio. He's the male version of Shonda Rhimes (Shonda Rhimes is the exec. prod, writer and director of Greys Anatomy and Private Practice).
maahem33:
'ABC OVER-PROMOTE THEIR HOTTEST SHOWS'
There is no use blaming anyone. Shows always have ups and downs and thats just the way it is. Nothing is perfect. I am still thankful for the downs because without it there would be no ups.
If you want to actually blame someone, blame ABC because if they had promoted in S3, ratings would have been normal. And had they kept it on Thursdays for S4, ratings would have been fine with a huge promo lift. Flashforward and about 6 other shows were cancelled/ending (Hank, Eastwick, Scrubs, Better off Ted, Flash Forward, V) and they didn't work (except Lost, making the total number of shows they lost this year 8 - including Betty)
EVERYONE who watches ABC knows they 'over- promote' their hottest shows. Greys always gets promoted wayyyy to much and most of the time, it doesn't even need it and quite frankly, it was rarely promoted with UB. Grey's got promoted with Private Practice.
Even with those gone, ABC has knocked off more shows than any other network.
If you were to look at those rating websites like TV by the numbers, I am confident that everyone there knows how stupid ABC is. So yes, I am still blaming ABC for killing Ugly Betty.
If you were to look at those rating websites like TV by the numbers, I am confident that everyone there knows how stupid ABC is. So yes, I am still blaming ABC for killing Ugly Betty.
Fountainhead98:
'BLAME FORCE THAT DRIVES ABC.... EX-FANS WHO LEFT UB TO DIE'
I do think it's funny that some fans are putting the blame squarely on ABC's shoulders. Let's face it: Generally speaking, the networks are in it for business, not to keep fans happy. If a show is popular, then they are going to keep promoting it as much as possible. They are going to invest in whatever is a major product for them. (For ABC, this would be "Grey's Anatomy" or "Modern Family".) But once that product starts to drift from the minds of viewers, they're going to pay less attention to it and instead, they'll bank on other things that are still working. Is that fair? Hell, no. But for them, it's good business.
In fact, before we can blame the network, maybe we should blame 'the force' that drives the network's hand - namely, the former fans who left this show to die. As thisisaudo astutely pointed out, the network would've renewed UB if it still had its loyal fan-base intact. However, plenty of them jumped ship long ago (not that I can blame some of them, of course). And that, we know, wasn't ABC's doing. Viewers left on their own free will. With that in mind, something had to turn them off, of course...which is why this eventually comes back to Silvio and his team of writers. (BTW, he's still the head writer and showrunner. So although everyone gets their say, it was generally his direction that they were following at the end of the day.)
For my part, I didn't hate Seasons 1 and 2, and I actually liked the first nine episodes of Season 3. But IMO, everything went downhill after that.
Asinnerofsorts:
'4 SEASONS IS A GOOD RUN'
More often than not the fans make it sound like a conspiracy. Of course the fans wouldn't have been ready for the show to end, but four seasons is an admirable run. I'd rather it ended now/early than it go on and on and resort to reusing plot points or outstaying its welcome.
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
Michael Urie To Perform at NY Pop's 27th Birthday Concert And Gala
Feinstein, Lewis, Pizzarelli and More Will Join Cerveris, Ferguson, Jackson and Urie at Carnegie Hall
By Andrew Gans
27 Apr 2010
27 Apr 2010
Additional artists have been announced for The New York Pops' 27th birthday concert and gala, The Best Is Yet To Come: Celebrating the Legacy of Frank Sinatra, which will be presented May 3 at Carnegie Hall.
Newly announced for the evening are five-time Grammy Award nominee Michael Feinstein, Broadway veteran Norm Lewis, celebrated jazz artist John Pizzarelli, singer/songwriter Tony DeSare and Memphis star Montego Glover.
Music director Steven Reineke will lead the famed orchestra in a concert of Sinatra's greatest hits, hosted by Liz Smith. Special guests for the evening will also include the previously reported Frank Sinatra, Jr. as well as Broadway's Cheyenne Jackson, Tony winner Michael Cerveris, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Tony nominee John Tartaglia as well as "Ugly Betty" star Michael Urie.
Feinstein will sing the pop hit "For Once in My Life," Pizzarelli will perform "Witchcraft," DeSare will take on "Night and Day," Lewis will perform "Don't Worry 'Bout Me," Glover will offer "The Best Is Yet To Come," Jackson will perform "Luck Be A Lady," Tony winner Cerveris is slated to sing "High Hopes," and Tartaglia, Urie and Ferguson will perform "New York, New York." Grammy-winning crooner Steve Tyrell and young vocalist Haley Swindal complete the lineup with "Fly Me to the Moon" and "The Way You Look Tonight," respectively.
Following the performance, guests are invited to The Plaza Hotel for a black-tie dinner dance.
There will also be an online auction on www.CharityBuzz.com/NewYorkPops April 28-May 10, featuring items donated by The Orchestra's many friends from the world of arts and entertainment. Auction items include a behind-the-scenes visit to the Big Apple Circus, a cocktail party at the Double Cross Vodka Lounge and a chance to perform side-by-side with The New York Pops.
Single tickets for the concert-only range from $55 to $85 and are open to the public. To purchase tickets, call CarnegieCharge at (212) 247-7800. Tickets are also available at the Carnegie Hall Box Office at 57th Street and 7th Avenue, or online at www.carnegiehall.org. Tickets to the full gala evening are available by calling (212) 765-7677.
Overall U.S Figures For Ugly Betty
Here are the final stats for each season of the show, including the highest and lowest rated episodes of each season (collated from Wikipedia). This makes for interesting, as well as for some, surprising reading:
Viewing figures in U.S
*On Thursday evenings at 8.00pm in U.S
Season 1 (2006-07) - rank 35, 11.3 million , 18-49 viewers - 3.7
Season 2 (2007-08)- rank 53, 9.4 million, 18-49 viewers - 3.6 (- 1.9 million from S1)
Season 3 (2008-09) - rank 64, 8.0 million, 18-49 viewers - 2.8 (- 1.4 million from S2, -3.3 million from S1)
*On Friday evenings at 9.00pm, then Wednesday evenings at 10.00pm in U.S
Season 4 (2009-10) - rank TBA, 4.5 million, 18-49 viewers- 1.5 (- 3.5 million from S3, - 4.9 million from S2, - 6.8 million from S1)
Highest rated episodes-
Season 1- Pilot (aka I am not going to sell herbalaux) 16.39 million
Season 2- Premiere (How Betty Got Her Groove Back) 11.16 million
Season 3- Premiere (The Manhattan Project) 9.77 million
Season 4- Series finale (Hello Goodbye) 5.41 million
Lowest rated episodes-
Season 1- ep 9 Lose The Boss - 8.74 million
Season 2- ep 9 Giving Up The Ghost - 7.49 million
Season 3- ep 23 Curveball - 6.16 million
Season 4- ep 16 All The World's A Stage- 3.3 million
Wikipedia-Ugly Betty
Viewing figures in U.S
*On Thursday evenings at 8.00pm in U.S
Season 1 (2006-07) - rank 35, 11.3 million , 18-49 viewers - 3.7
Season 2 (2007-08)- rank 53, 9.4 million, 18-49 viewers - 3.6 (- 1.9 million from S1)
Season 3 (2008-09) - rank 64, 8.0 million, 18-49 viewers - 2.8 (- 1.4 million from S2, -3.3 million from S1)
*On Friday evenings at 9.00pm, then Wednesday evenings at 10.00pm in U.S
Season 4 (2009-10) - rank TBA, 4.5 million, 18-49 viewers- 1.5 (- 3.5 million from S3, - 4.9 million from S2, - 6.8 million from S1)
Highest rated episodes-
Season 1- Pilot (aka I am not going to sell herbalaux) 16.39 million
Season 2- Premiere (How Betty Got Her Groove Back) 11.16 million
Season 3- Premiere (The Manhattan Project) 9.77 million
Season 4- Series finale (Hello Goodbye) 5.41 million
Lowest rated episodes-
Season 1- ep 9 Lose The Boss - 8.74 million
Season 2- ep 9 Giving Up The Ghost - 7.49 million
Season 3- ep 23 Curveball - 6.16 million
Season 4- ep 16 All The World's A Stage- 3.3 million
Wikipedia-Ugly Betty
Themes Of Culture And Identity Explored In Ugly Betty
In the first in the series of media studies related essays based on the show, this one looks at cultural themes and concepts of identity explored within the first 3 series. I didn't do this for a project or anything like that; it was just something that made me think and realise as I was watching episodes from seasons 1-3.
Themes of Culture And Identity Explored In Ugly Betty
(written and posted 1 year ago on Fanpop)
As a television show, Ugly Betty has been a worldwide success. From its original columbian telenovela: 'Betty Le Fea', the show has spanned various international versions of this comedy. The most well known incarnation that is televised in the Western world is the US's Ugly Betty.
But what attracts viewers and fans especially to Ugly Betty per se isn't just the humour and the drama aspects of this series but the characters, storylines and situations.
These characters, storylines, situations all deal with and explore themes and concepts relating to culture and identity.
From Marc's sexuality to Betty's attempts to fit into a society, of which at the same time she is trying to maintain her cultural and ethnic roots. And it isn't just Marc and Betty: the other characters are also somewhat (cultural) stereotypes of what people perceive as the 'norm' in society- the so called bitchy (and dumb) blonde in Amanda, ladies man Daniel who has a habit in sleeping with women; the Scot Christina, the transsexual Alexis- Daniel's sister, who used to be a guy up until he had the sex change and became a 'she'; teen Justin's (blantant and) implied homosexual characteristics via the clothes he wears, his feminine voice and his interest in performing.
Even Hilda, who for a mother, is perceived as a slut for the way she dresses, and that she couldn't afford a college education because when she was a teen, she was pregnant and thus, had Justin.
But what attracts viewers and fans especially to Ugly Betty per se isn't just the humour and the drama aspects of this series but the characters, storylines and situations.
These characters, storylines, situations all deal with and explore themes and concepts relating to culture and identity.
From Marc's sexuality to Betty's attempts to fit into a society, of which at the same time she is trying to maintain her cultural and ethnic roots. And it isn't just Marc and Betty: the other characters are also somewhat (cultural) stereotypes of what people perceive as the 'norm' in society- the so called bitchy (and dumb) blonde in Amanda, ladies man Daniel who has a habit in sleeping with women; the Scot Christina, the transsexual Alexis- Daniel's sister, who used to be a guy up until he had the sex change and became a 'she'; teen Justin's (blantant and) implied homosexual characteristics via the clothes he wears, his feminine voice and his interest in performing.
Even Hilda, who for a mother, is perceived as a slut for the way she dresses, and that she couldn't afford a college education because when she was a teen, she was pregnant and thus, had Justin.
From a cultural aspect, Ugly Betty is diverse in this area- this includes gay culture, Latino culture, femininity, fashion, class and celebrity and fame. It is rare to find a show as appealing and entertaining as Ugly Betty itself, whilst at the same time, as a cultural commodity- i.e TV show, it finds the time to highlight and acknowledge cultural and social ideas, within a dominant mass culture- i.e entertainment and as a means to inform the masses. It realises that the message it is trying to convey is more than just 'beauty is only skin deep'. It is that of culture itself and its significance on other people and themselves and how it impacts them, on a general and personal level.
Cultural theorist Stuart Hall once said that language use and the way people communicate to other people, works on the basis of institutions, power, class and wealth.
In applying that concept to Ugly Betty, the manner in which the likes of Wilhelmina, Marc, Amanda, Daniel and Christina interact with or behave towards Betty is often based on or down to their social or cultural status as individuals in society. However, with say Daniel, he comes from a wealthy background and thus, we'd tend to associate wealth with arrogance and snobbiness. Yet Daniel is the opposite, as he treats Betty with respect and courtesy as a person. And Betty's influence on him is making him become a better human being.
A structural anthropologist, Belgian Claude Levi Strauss based his notion of culture and meaning, in reference to what he calls 'binary oppositions' where two sets of terms or concepts are joined in relation to each other. Examples of binary terms include black/white, male/female and young/old. Alas, meanings and ideologies are generated through the comparisons of two different- yet similar concepts.
In Ugly Betty, the binary oppositions as featured are beauty/ugly, gay/straight, hispanic/western culture, work/family and good/evil, as symbolised by Daniel and Betty (good) and Wilhelmina and Marc (evil). Another example of binary ops at work is the contrast between the clean White Mode offices and the bright and vibrant red, yellow and green colours which decorate the Suarez home.
In Betty Suarez, as much as it is argued that she is an outsider and she is having to conform to certain rules and standards at work, being the protagonist that she is, Betty is integral to the show because she is the main focal point within the programme. Despite her appearance and the bad clothes she wears, it is her down-to-earth, nature which keeps her grounded and she tries to use it to help the likes of Daniel, Marc and Amanda to change their negative ways and make them realise they do not lack compassion and heart as individuals.
It's interesting to note however that the likes of those characters rely on Betty and for her to help them get out of the mess they are in; as this shows that they manage somehow to see through the physicality of Betty and understand that deep down that there is a person who not only tries to do the right thing, but of whom wants to be there for others.
Cultural theorist Stuart Hall once said that language use and the way people communicate to other people, works on the basis of institutions, power, class and wealth.
In applying that concept to Ugly Betty, the manner in which the likes of Wilhelmina, Marc, Amanda, Daniel and Christina interact with or behave towards Betty is often based on or down to their social or cultural status as individuals in society. However, with say Daniel, he comes from a wealthy background and thus, we'd tend to associate wealth with arrogance and snobbiness. Yet Daniel is the opposite, as he treats Betty with respect and courtesy as a person. And Betty's influence on him is making him become a better human being.
A structural anthropologist, Belgian Claude Levi Strauss based his notion of culture and meaning, in reference to what he calls 'binary oppositions' where two sets of terms or concepts are joined in relation to each other. Examples of binary terms include black/white, male/female and young/old. Alas, meanings and ideologies are generated through the comparisons of two different- yet similar concepts.
In Ugly Betty, the binary oppositions as featured are beauty/ugly, gay/straight, hispanic/western culture, work/family and good/evil, as symbolised by Daniel and Betty (good) and Wilhelmina and Marc (evil). Another example of binary ops at work is the contrast between the clean White Mode offices and the bright and vibrant red, yellow and green colours which decorate the Suarez home.
In Betty Suarez, as much as it is argued that she is an outsider and she is having to conform to certain rules and standards at work, being the protagonist that she is, Betty is integral to the show because she is the main focal point within the programme. Despite her appearance and the bad clothes she wears, it is her down-to-earth, nature which keeps her grounded and she tries to use it to help the likes of Daniel, Marc and Amanda to change their negative ways and make them realise they do not lack compassion and heart as individuals.
It's interesting to note however that the likes of those characters rely on Betty and for her to help them get out of the mess they are in; as this shows that they manage somehow to see through the physicality of Betty and understand that deep down that there is a person who not only tries to do the right thing, but of whom wants to be there for others.
Monday, 26 April 2010
America's NY Birthday Bash!
America Ferrera celebrated her 26th birthday just last Saturday night- 'happy b.day America!!'- at NYC's hotspot SL Nightclub. In case you have forgotten, her b.day is on April 18- which was a week earlier. Like Michael Urie, she is also an 80s baby (yay!).
In attendance were her Betty co-stars Ana Ortiz, Mark Indelicato, Judith Light and Becki Newton with her husband, Chris Diamantopoulos and Tony Plana, as well as America's boyfriend, Ryan Piers Williams.
Check out these photos, courtesy of Starstrakphoto and Just Jared!
(Left to right- Ana, Ryan Piers Williams, America, Mark, Becki)
In attendance were her Betty co-stars Ana Ortiz, Mark Indelicato, Judith Light and Becki Newton with her husband, Chris Diamantopoulos and Tony Plana, as well as America's boyfriend, Ryan Piers Williams.
Check out these photos, courtesy of Starstrakphoto and Just Jared!
(Left to right- Ana, Ryan Piers Williams, America, Mark, Becki)
(Becki with her husband, Chris)
Chicago Now: Piece on Ugly Betty On AlterEgo Maniac By Nash
10 ways my life is like Ugly Betty
on 04.25.10 at 1:13 PM
Last week I watched the series finale of Ugly Betty. It's one of my favorite shows, and I'm sad to see it end. After talking about the show for hours with my boyfriend (the highlight of his day I'm sure), I realized why I connected with the show so much. I'm Betty Suarez!...well, not really but we have a lot in common (and I totally dressed up as Betty for Halloween). Here are 10 ways my life parallels the life of Betty Suarez (beware...there are spoilers):
1. We're (nearly) the same age. Betty graduated high school in 2002, I graduated in 2003.
2. We both started our careers in unlikely places. Betty at a fashion magazine when she's clearly not fashion forward, and me in broadcast news when I hate even watching the news.
3. We both wore red plastic framed glasses.
4. We both had a loud sense of fashion. My rule used to be, if some of the colors matched, the patterns didn't have to (I've toned down my wardrobe quite a bit since then).
5. We're both nice to people who don't always deserve it, and sometimes people take advantage of our kindness.
6. We both decided to start blogs about things we care about.
7. We both usually date the cute nerdy guy that we really hope would last, only to have something ridiculous happen in the next episode that would leave us both single again (sigh)
8. We both wore handmade Halloween costumes to work, when no one else in the office seemed to be in the spirit (I really thought more people would wear costumes that year...LAME!).
9. In the end we both have the careers we want, and jobs that we love. Betty has her new magazine in London, and I'm a graphic designer for WGN!
10. We get the man in the end...who also happens to be our best friends. Daniel has been Betty's friend/boss for 4 years. When she takes the job in London he finally realizes he loves her, and asks her out on a date. My boyfriend and I were friends for 3 years before we finally realized we should be dating each other (he wasn't my boss though...that would be weird).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)