‘Ugly Betty’ Dunzo?!
Is a Peace the Spork Out in order for ABC‘s irreverent TV series Ugly Betty? Possibly. Michael Ausiello of Entertainment Weekly magazine is reporting that Ugly Betty has been “benched” from the ABC TV schedule in order for the network to “try out” a couple new sitcoms in the Thursday night timeslot. While this news isn’t absolutely proof that the show is done for, the fact that ABC will not reveal when Ugly Betty is scheduled to return to the television airwaves … and that is what’s got everyone worried:
Things are looking pretty gloomy for Ugly Betty. In a just-announced Thursday night scheduling tweak, ABC is benching Betty beginning March 26 and replacing it with episodes of Samantha Who? and the new Megan Mullally-Cheryl Hines comedy In the Motherhood. The network’s release concludes by saying, “Ugly Betty will return to Thursday nights at 8:00 p.m. following the run of In the Motherhood and Samantha Who?” After crunching the numbers, that puts Betty’s return (provided Sam Who/Motherhood don’t tank) sometime around (gulp) June — a.k.a. outside the regular season. Now, granted, Betty hasn’t exactly been killing it in the ratings this season, but it’s still one of ABC’s signature shows. At least I thought it was. “The Thursday night block is a good opportunity to launch these comedies,” counters an ABC spokesperson. “That said, Betty is a solid performer and there is no question that it will definitely be back to complete its season, just without repeats.” But when will it be back? The net’s not saying, and that’s the part that has me worried. Do you share my concern? Or is there a silver lining here that I’m just not seeing?
This is not a good sign for Ugly Betty. Why IN THE WORLD would ABC take the show off the air at this point in the year in order to “try out” other sitcoms?? And then “bring the show back” after who knows how many months off the air? This makes no sense … other than the demise of Ugly Betty is nearly upon us and we’ve yet to be told. I cannot imagine how this plan of attack is a good one for the show or the network as a whole. Even if the show does eventually come back … will the audience still be around to watch? This is a terrible idea … one, my gut tells me, is the first step in announcing the cancellation of Ugly Betty :( What do y’all think … are you happy with any of this news?
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Tags: 'Ugly Betty', Entertainment Weekly Magazine
January 26th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
this really isn’t a good idea at all :(
January 26th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
I’ve been a Betty-er since the beginning, this is bad news bears.
January 26th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
I’m ticked. I love this show!
January 26th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
That Sucks!! I love Ugly Betty! Why would they do that!??
January 26th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
oh well, Ugly Betty kinda sucks anyways…actually most of the show is ok but anything with Betty herself or her fathy is always sappy schmultzy crap.
January 26th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
OMG! I’ve just realized I have Betty’s exact same glasses but in purple! (They’re Channel’s btw) I don’t know if I should take it as a compliment… The show is called UGLY Betty after all. Doh!!
January 26th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
oh no, i hope this isnt true
January 26th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
erm….not surprised really, the storylines were getting more and more ridic.
may America Frerrera can star some propper movies now, she’s a great actress.
January 26th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
[...] Ugly Betty getting cancelled?? [PITNB] [...]
January 26th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
I love this show and hope it sticks around!! I do agree with lyndyloo about some of the story lines just getting a little on the crazy side.
January 26th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Noooooooooo! I love that show!!
January 26th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Eh, I’ve given up on this show. It just isn’t that good now.
January 26th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
:( i love that show!!
:’(
January 26th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Was a big fan in the beginning and loved what they were doing (and not saying) about Betty’s nephew but when it came back last year, it lost it’s luster. They have been slowly moving away from the camp, silly escapades and fun for schmaltzy family melodrama. They did a good job of keeping a balance between fun and drama in the beginning. Also, they’ve run the gamut of how many situations Betty can “F” up and her character seems to be stuck. I understand evolving Wilhilmena’s character and now she has a heart but Betty and her boss Daniel are stagnant. Also, having Amanda move in with Betty was odd but I thought they could do some Odd Couple episodes but they didn’t do anything with them. I KNOW it’s fiction but three years in and Betty still looks like she does and still snags HOT men for boyfriends, come on now!
January 26th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
I love this show. I hope this is not true.
January 26th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
I am completely and totally shocked by this news! Ugly Betty is one of the best shows on television. It’s quirky, it’s funny, and it has some dramatic elements thrown in as well.
And hello, The fashions on that show alone make it worth watching. Betty herself isn’t exactly a fashionista, but even she is wearing designer duds (think Eddie from AbFab, but less focused on wearing the labels emblazoned on the clothes.)
If this is true then I will demand one thing from ABC… A spinoff with Amanda and Mark!!!
January 26th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
I really think this is ABC’s way of trying to stack up competition against the new Amy Poehler series on NBC. That’s scheduled to debut Thursday, April 9 at 8:30pm… by trying a new show a few weeks before that in the same time schedule I feel ABC is just trying to develop a new audience for its shows while taking some away from the Poehler project. I really don’t think they would move “Betty” to a new night and time and risk losing its weekly dedicated audience. At the same time, I don’t think ABC wants to place any concrete expectations on the new block just yet, in case the new “Motherhood” series licks major balls and ABC has to pull it from the schedule without claiming any “early” departure. But that’s just what I think. :)
January 26th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
I’m crushed. Seriously CRUSHED. Eddy, the show is NOT lackluster and it’s underrated. It’s gay fabulous and that is the core of it’s fanbase. Vanessa Williams deserves an Emmy and Becki Newton is flawless.I don’t understand why ABC is doing this but I fear this is the end for UB. I’d rather Desperate HOusewives go first! Still, the last episode had Alec Mapa’s character straight and married. That was another big surprise but a bit weird..and whatever happened to Marc’s bear boyfriend? Loved them as a couple!
January 26th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Noooooooooooooo! Pull some other crap show off the air to “try out” new shows! BOO ABC!
January 26th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Such a cute show — it started out so well and continued through last year, but after Christian Siriano, the show jumped the shark. It’s okay to put it to bed, though. What with Devil Wears Prada and Project Runway, the fashion fad is over. As Heidi says, One day you’re in, and the next day you’re auf.
January 26th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
WTF, ABC??? Are effin kidding me? And this is credible coming from Mike Ausiello, he’s always right on with his scoop… this is some Bullshizz for real. What the hell is ABC thinking?! First Pushing Daisies now Betty?!
January 26th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
I haven’t been watching as hardcore this season. I think some of the stories are suffering and I waited for such a long time for Betty to improve her life marginally that I kinda gave up. I hope they dont pull the plug though because I had hope the show would come back with stronger stories.
January 26th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
I love Ugly Betty WTF!
January 26th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Not surprised….this should have been done a long time ago.
January 26th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
I first saw Ugly Betty as a 1/2 season marathon on ABC Family and fell in love. The 2nd season…started to become a bit much. This season is even worse. I also keep in mind that they are (for the most part) following the original telenovela…so it will be cheesy! But I hope they do not cancel the show! I just want to see what happens. I LOVE Amanda and Marc!!
January 26th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
NOOO. they cant do that! =( theres so many other shows they could pull off to try other shows.
January 26th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Grey’s Anatomy should be shelved first…..
January 26th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo i love it. greys has gone downhill, i agree. get rid of them first.
January 26th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
noooooooooooooooo :( I love ugly betty!!!
p.s. I love that you are putting Aretha’s hat on everyone! makes me literally LOL every time…
January 26th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
I will be so pissed if they cancel Ugly Betty. It is one of my favorite shows of all time and probably the best show ABC even has. They ALWAYS cancel really good shows and keep the dumb ones (TRUE BEAUTY, WTF?). Dirty Sexy Money, October Road, Pushing Daisies, What About Brian, and Big Shots are just a FEW of the shows on ABC I became attached to that later get axed. Desperate Housewives, Ugly Betty, and The Bachelor are the last things on this network that I watch. If ABC cancels UB, I will never watch a new show on this network again. I am tired of getting attached to shows that get the axe.
January 26th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
I refuse to believe this. I love this show way too much! If they decide to cancel it, the least they can do is finally give Betty her makeover and hook her up with Daniel like the original Ugly Betty.
January 26th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
NNNOOOOOOOO!!!
I love me some Ugly Betty :(
January 26th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
This makes me so upset. ABC is taking off any sort of artistic scripted show. . . Pushing Daisies, Dirty Sexy Money, Eli Stone, and now Ugly Betty. Yes, they have Brothers and Sisters, Lost, and Desperate Housewives, but that by no means makes up for the amount of crap on that channel. I’m boycotting fo sho if they cancel it.
January 26th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
I know what you mean CC. Pushing Daisies and Dirty Sexy Money were my shows. I was devastated when they got canceled. Hopefully Ugly Betty don’t end up with the same fate.
January 27th, 2009 at 12:21 am
I’m in pain, physical pain. How can such a FUN well written show deserve this? I will still be there when it airs again.
January 27th, 2009 at 1:09 am
This is so NOT good. This isn’t the first time ABC has done this sort of thing. They tried postponing with Commander in Chief (the show about a woman president) and they lost a bunch of viewers. The show ended up flopping after it came back and was later cancelled all together. CBS’s Jericho did the same thing and that and fans revolted with nuts – lots of them. Sad news people. Very sad!
January 27th, 2009 at 2:03 am
Oh my god-are you kidding me????!!! I LOVE UGLY BETTY! It’s one of my favorite shows! What the hell does ABC think they’re doing? Why end a good thing? Ugly Betty is a huge hit for them. I will be beyond pissed if they cancel it. Can we start a written petition? Seriously.
January 27th, 2009 at 2:11 am
I just went back & read some of everyone’s comments… Don’t you guys realize that the this show has always had sort of crazy, ridiculous, out-of-the-blue storylines? That’s how it is. I wasn’t fazed at all when the fashion tv host ended up being a straight dad. Seriously, I didn’t bat an eyelash. That’s part of what makes this show so unique. No other show could get away with these types of storylines.
January 27th, 2009 at 4:14 am
i hope they don’t cancel it. i really love betty. :( overall its still a good show. boo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 27th, 2009 at 6:56 am
I really hate this! They cancelled Pushing Daisies despite it’s artisic merrits that definatley did NOT go unnoticed by the people that vote on/hand out awards, and now THIS.
Desperate Housewives, which I LOVE, is still on, for God’s sake. And Grey’s, which I hate. Neither of them have anything new or interesting to give. It’s so upsetting that now even a large viewing audience goes neglected because people at the top just want more money.
January 27th, 2009 at 6:59 am
no no no! i love ugly betty!!! daniel and betty are supposed to end up together!!! no!!!
January 27th, 2009 at 9:02 am
I love UGLY BETTY, own the first season and want to buy the second season. Love the camp and the characters and the writing. I’ve missed some of the 3rd season episodes for reasons explained below.
I totally forgot about Marc’s boyfriend. Did they break up? They were so cute together.
I’m going to risk getting flamed and suggest that it was introducing Lindsay Lohan into the cast that started a downward spiral. There were so many reports of Lohan being difficult in an otherwise happy, fun ensemble cast. Admittedly I did not enjoy the Lohan character and stopped watching. Started watching the show online again recently. I hope that UGLY BETTY can bounce back after the damage done by Lohan, she is toxic.
Please don’t let this be the end of UGLY BETTY!
January 27th, 2009 at 10:11 am
Love the show!
January 28th, 2009 at 2:41 am
The show is not cancelled according to Michael Urie:
http://hypeworthy.typepad.com/michael_urie/
:)