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Ugly Betty - Season 1: The Bettified Edition [2006]


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

Based on the popular Colombian telenovela Yo Soy Betty La Fea, Ugly Betty is a biting comedy with plenty of heart. There are several ongoing plots, including murder, illegal immigration, infidelity, a vendetta, and death. And yes, this really is a comedy.

Golden Globe winner America Ferrera (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Real Women Have Curves) stars as Betty, a whip-smart assistant at a women's magazine who is clueless when it comes to fashion. While her size 0 colleagues parade around in haute couture and stiletto heels, Betty shows up for work in her mismatched outfits, complete with thick glasses and awkward braces.

The series, which made its debut during the 2006-2007 season on ABC, could've relied on physical humour for laughs. But the sharp writing and likeable cast bring the show to life. There's a lot going on in the first year. Besides setting Betty up as Mode magazine's ugly duckling overachiever, the first few episodes introduce viewers to a superb supporting cast that includes Betty's frenemies Amanda (Becki Newton) and Marc (Michael Urie), the hysterical duo that aligns themselves to whoever can best advance their careers. As for Betty's womanizing boss, Daniel (Eric Mabius), he's not the brightest bulb in the package. Recalling childhood outings with their mother, he says, "She used to like taking us to clothing museums." To which his sibling says, "Those were stores! She just called them museums to get us out of school." Salma Hayek--one of the show's producers--guest stars in an arc as a powerful editor who beds Daniel to prove a point. But it's her unexpected turn as an actress on Ignacio's favorite soap opera that is the real treat.

About halfway through the 23-episode series, it appears that the writers switched gears with one of their main plots revolving around a possibly undead fashion editor. But in a typical over-the-top Ugly Betty way, they make the plot switch work. The heart of the show is when Betty returns home from work. She still lives with her father, Ignacio (Tony Plana), older sister Hilda (Ana Ortiz), and nephew Justin (Mark Indelicato). Justin is one of TV's best kid characters. Not only is he equally adorable and wise, but he is most probably--or will grow up to be--gay. The way his family accepts him for who he is--rather than who they wish he was--is incredibly loving and thoughtful. Betty also is navigating a love life that she makes more complicated than it has to be. Instead of dumping a boyfriend who cheated on her, she allows her sister to manipulate her into staying with him. When she finally realizes she has strong feelings for Henry (Christopher Gorham), the adorable accountant at work who has a huge crush on her, it may be too late. The season finale will leaves viewers with several cliffhangers revolving around Ignacio, Justin's father, and (of course) Betty. For most fans, season 2 can't come fast enough. --Jae-Ha Kim


An excellent feelgood series, always cheers me up!
Review date: 2008-11-01 Rating: 10 out of 10

Such a lovely series, never takes itself seriously although there are so many moral threads running through it. It's great fun and a simply gorgeous series to watch with the beautiful sets and clothes.

The bad guys are marvellously unlikeable and the good guys are thoroughly loveable, a great series all girls should watch and enjoy.

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Reviews


Pretty Damn Brilliant Betty
Review date: 2008-10-25 Rating: 10 out of 10

I absolutely love this series! It's quirky snippy snappy sarky super fun and it has churned out some great memorable characters worth rooting for. Even the deliciously evil ones.

It's a marvelous show but it's not flawless. It walks a thin line between realism and farce and sometimes there's a few fumbles where plot lines get just a tad silly and melodramatic for their own good. The big mystery doesn't quite deliver the earth shattering payload it initially promised either, but it doesn't disappoint for long. There's always something much more mysterious and shocking just waiting in the wings to reveal itself that will totally keep you hooked.

Overall though, Ugly Betty is simply pretty damn brilliant. Highly Recommended!

Pretty Betty
Review date: 2008-10-18 Rating: 10 out of 10

Brilliant. You won't be a disappointed. If you are a huge fan of Ugly Betty, this is a great to watch especially right from the begining. Will buy series 2 when it released. Can't wait. Worth every penny.

Incredibly Funny and Charming Comedy Series
Review date: 2008-04-04 Rating: 10 out of 10

Ugly Betty is easily one of the best comedy shows of recent years and despite winning various awards including Emmys and Golden Globes, is criminally unwatched by many viewers.

America Ferrera stars as the title character, Betty Suarez, a frumpy and unfashionable young woman who is just out of college and has big dreams of working as a writer for a magazine. She logically sees that if she applies for a job as an assistant to the editor of one, then she will have a good chance of eventually being noticed and moving up the career ladder. There is just one problem. The magazine that she ends up working for is top fashion magazine - and obvious parody of Vogue - Mode, where everyone is skinny, fashionable and scarily hip.

Betty immediately feels like an outsider in the place - the first thing that anyone says to her is "Are you the before?" - and is unpopular from the beginning. However, she soon bumps into Christina (Ashley Jensen), the magazine's seamistress, who takes a shine to her and warns her about the general bitchiness of the magazine's employees and tells her not to take any notice of them.

The longer Betty stays at the magazine, the more she becomes accustomed to the place and is soon a permanent fixture and relied upon completely by the editor of Mode, her boss, Daniel Meade (Eric Mabius). Ferrera attacks the role of Betty with so much charm and appeal that it is hard not to love her. She portrays Betty as a Latino girl with a big heart - who has to look after her family, including her Father with his ailing health as well as a sassy sister and camp nephew - who is often misunderstood by the shallow people at Mode.

Ugly Betty is a bright, fun and extremely enjoyable comedy series that could be enjoyed by almost anyone with a good sense of humour. From the bitchy humour of the Mode building to the sarcastic wit of Christina and the sheer charm of Betty, the series is easy to love and very addictive.

A great achievement in television which saw Ferrera winning three different awards for her role - the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Television Series - Comedy, the Emmy for Best Actress in a Comedy Series and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series - this is not to be missed!

Brilliant
Review date: 2008-01-13 Rating: 10 out of 10

When I saw this advertised i was set on watching it, the night it was aired, I was ill, and sleeping.
I was gutted I missed it, and working shifts doesnt help.
I bought it for my sister for christmas, The best thing iv done, I love it, my sis dont get a look in.

The Actors portray the relationships so well no matter how disfuctional they are.
The writing is brilliant, the whole show is pure genius, and Daniel and Henry are both Hotties!!!

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Michael Urie
Vanessa Williams
Eric Mabius
Becki Newton
America Ferrera

Creators:
America Ferrera (Primary Contributor)
Eric Mabius (Primary Contributor)

Recording label: Walt Disney Pictures
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Pictures
EAN: 8717418131821
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 6
Format: Anamorphic, PAL, Subtitled,
Release date: 2007-09-24
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 945 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2006
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: French (Original Language)
Language: Spanish (Original Language)

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