Ugly Betty Picked Up for a Full Season  10/17/06

The most-watched new TV show of the 2006-07 season, "Ugly Betty" was picked up for a full season order, Stephen McPherson, president of ABC Entertainment announced today. The show, based on the world's most popular telenovela, "Yo Soy Betty La Fea," is executive-produced by Salma Hayek and stars America Ferrera as Betty Suarez.

"In just two weeks 'Ugly Betty' has given us an impressive foothold leading into the 'Grey's Anatomy' hour on Thursday night," said McPherson. "The show has proven to be competitive in a very strong time period, and we're thrilled with 'Ugly Betty's' performance."

The ABC freshman has already established itself a solid second to CBS' time period veteran "Survivor" in the 8 o'clock hour among Total Viewers (15.3 million) and Adults 18-49 (4.7/13), while holding the No. 1 position on average with Adults 18-34 (4.0/12). On average, "Ugly Betty" has improved the time period for ABC by 96% in Total Viewers (15.3 million vs.. 7.8 million) and by 92% in Adults 18-49 (4.8/14 vs.. 2.5/7) over the same nights last year. Additionally "Ugly Betty" qualifies as the No. 1 new series this season in Total Viewers (1.13 million) and Adults 18-49 (3.2/9) among Hispanic viewers watching English language TV.

About "Ugly Betty": In the superficial world of high fashion, image is everything. Styles come and go, and the only constants are the superthin beauties who wear them. How can an ordinary girl - a slightly plump plain-Jane from Queens - possibly fit in?

If you took a moment to get to know Betty Suarez, you'd see how sweet, intelligent and hard-working she is. But few people do, because in the world of high fashion Betty is the oversized peg in the petite round hole. When publishing mogul Bradford Meade hands the reigns of Mode, the bible of the fashion industry, over to this son, Daniel, he specifically hires Betty as his son's new assistant - mostly because she's the only woman in NYC Daniel won't sleep with. Though this "player" is reluctant to accept her at first, Betty's indomitable spirit and bright ideas will eventually win him over. Neither of them really knows the ins and outs of the fashion world, but the two are a formidable team against those who will do anything to see them fall.

And they really are swimming with the sharks. Diva fashionista Wilhelmina Slater is incensed that Bradford Meade passed her over and promoted Daniel to the coveted job after the mysterious death (or was it?) of Mode's legendary editress, Fey Sommers. Wilhelmina, along with toadying assistant Marc and scheming receptionist Amanda, are out to sabotage Daniel and Betty any chance they get. Betty finds a friend in warm-hearted Christina, who works as the magazine's in-house seamstress and seems to know everything about everybody who works there.

Away from work, Betty's home life is far from glamorous. Dad Ignacio and her sister, Hilda, worry that she's just setting herself up for a fall, while nephew Justin encourages his aunt to dream big (even if he's aghast at her fashion sense). Nerdy boyfriend Walter, who unceremoniously dumped Betty, keeps turning up despite her attempts to get him to stay away.

"Ugly Betty" stars America Ferrera as Betty Suarez, Eric Mabius as Daniel Meade, Alan Dale as Bradford Meade, Tony Plana as Ignacio, Ana Ortiz as Hilda, Ashley Jensen as Christina, Becki Newton as Amanda, Mark Indelicato as Justin and Vanessa Williams as Wilhelmina Slater. Recurring guest stars are Michael Urie as Marc and Kevin Sussman as Walter.

Based on "Yo Soy Betty La Fea," the groundbreaking Colombian telenovela that became an international phenomenon, "Ugly Betty" is from Touchstone Television. Academy Award nominee and Emmy Award winner Salma Hayek is executive producer, along with Silvio Horta ("Urban Legends"), Ben Silverman, ("The Office"), Jose Tamez ("The Maldonado Miracle"), James Parriott ("Grey's Anatomy") and James Hayan ("Joan of Arcadia").

"Ugly Betty" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish audio via SAP.

Source: ABC Press Release