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EW’s Ausiello weighs in on the "Ugly Betty’s in trouble" sweepstakes with this Q&A:
Question: I heard that Ugly Betty is on the verge of being canceled. Can you give me any inside information on that? —Michelle
Ausiello: I really don’t think Betty is in any immediate danger of getting pulled off the schedule. I mean, the ratings are bad but they’re not Dollhouse bad. Do I think ABC will renew it for a fifth season? Conventional wisdom says it’s probably a long-shot. For his part, Silvio Horta is preparing for either scenario. “Obviously, we all want the show to continue, but I don’t want to get caught off guard and have them tell me it’s the last season and have to wrap everything up in one episode,” he says. “So I have two season-ending arcs planned — one where it’s the last season and one where we continue for another one.”
Interesting that he doesn’t get into the question of Betty moving nights or staying on Fridays – which is THE critical question for Betty right now.
But, I’m glad that the show’s producers are working on two season-ending arcs. First, it shows they aren’t giving up yet. At the same time, it means they are actually putting some thought into how the series will end. Obviously, many of us disagree with the whole Benry finale idea, but at least it’s a real ending. (Plus, it gives the other writers time to talk Horta out of it).
Ausiello also gives us some insight into what’s going to happen with Justin:
Question: I loved last week’s episode of Ugly Betty. Justin’s storyline was heartbreaking and triumphant at the same time. When will he finally come out? —HH
Ausiello: I’m guessing by the end of the season, but Betty boss Silvio Horta would only say that Justin will continue “struggling with his identity and his journey is going to be funny, heartbreaking, moving and powerful.”
Horta has always been more sure of where he’s taking Justin as the show progresses (compared to other characters); that’s why Justin, IMHO, is the most compelling character on the show.
Image: Bauer Griffin
LOST is moving to TUESDAY’s at 9 p.m in 2010. Where does this leave Ugly Betty if ABC decides to move it?
It has just been announced that “Lost” will be on Tuesday nights now, instead of Wednesday, so I think that ABC should move “Flashforward” to Wednesdays at 10:00pm (the “Eastwick” time slot), because it seems much more like a 10:00pm show than and 8:00pm show, so then they could move “Ugly Betty” back to its original time slot on Thursdays at 8:00pm.
Ausiello just updated with the news that Lost’s timeslot is going to be Tuesdays at 9…I think this means there’s a chance (crossing my fingers that it’s a really good chance) Ugly Betty will be moved to Wednesdays!
One thing that is disturbing me right now is that tvguide.com is showing that the November 27 episode of UB will be preempted here in the DC area. The show “Level (7) With Me” as being listed for other areas, but not here. That really ticks me off. I hope that the listing is just wrong, but it looks pretty legit to me. I guess I can still watch the episode online the next day, but, come on! How much abuse can UB take!?
It is very unfortunate these news come as another spark in the midst of a fire which has already reached a drastic level…
..at the same time, it feels nice to hear that the writers are preparing themselves for both possibilities. I was very worried the whole cast and crew (writers included) would get demotivated and the show would suffer even more. By the way, nobody can guarantee we won’t feel some turbulance in the tone in future episodes (at least for the ones the writers were writing the scripts and debating over episodes…hope the “force is still with them”)
anyhow, thank you for commenting on my suggestion, Tom. I understand and agree with you: any organized movement is right now a one-shot thing. There is no room for a bad decision, or one taken way too fast.
I think what makes us all feefl bad and sad is that…this season is so good!!!! And I don’t want it to end…not right now…I would love to follow Betty`s journey for longer, and it is only because there is a level of reality in this character which you can’t find anywhere else.
Hoping for the best. Thank you, Tom, for being here and for helping us to express ourselves. And maybe, who know, touch the hearts and minds of some ABC Executives as well!
Lost has just been given the tuesday slot so that means the wednesday slot left open by Eastwick is still open right.
Okay, I just wanted to post this, because I’m not sure if this is breaking news or not. But as we all know “Eastwick” has been canceled and “Lost” was supposed to air Wednesdays at 10:00 p.m., right? According to this it’s now going to be airing Tuesday nights at 9:00 p.m. http://www.etonline.com/news/2009/11/81199/index.html So doesn’t that really increase the chances of “Ugly Betty” moving to Wednesdays?
Oh my God! Is there still hope after the tunnel?
I just read that news about Lost premiering on a Tuesday with a two hour episode then will settle there at their regular time thereafter… So there still hope UB could move to Wednesday!! There’s a God!! I wonder if they have any mis-season programming that they could slot there? HHMMMM???? Let’s cross our fingers!!!
Is it bad that I kind of want this show to end either this season or next? I still love UB, but it’s getting to be one of those shows that I watch because I want to follow it to the end. And now I’ve acquired so many other better shows that I enjoy watching even more (Community, Glee, Modern Family) so UB is kind of a last resort. For example: I haven’t watched last friday’s episode yet.
Well Omg-UB you are missing out. Last week’s episode was wonderful, and so many people wrote reviews praising it. I don’t really like “Modern Family” (The pilot really didn’t interest, and I didn’t find it funny), and I’ve never even watched “Glee” or “Community”.
i think itd be a really scandelous story to have mark and justin hookup or near-hookup.it may give the show more energy.
Sam, did you eat poop for breakfast?
Freddy, your response to Sam was hilarious!!! Hahahaha. It was more or less my reaction to Sam’s comment though. Justin is like 10 years younger than Mark! It’s kind of sick!
Daniel – not the Meade, I suppose, I really REALLY believe Justin´s sexuality should not be explored in this series. I mean…we’ve all come to like Justin imagining that he was gay with no one having to say so…I remember the first episode …when we saw him in front of the tv we kinda knew. I think it is very brave and positive to show his diificulties throughout High School, but I don’t see being necessary for the show that the character comes out of the closet. At least as some type of huge event.
Thank god,I’m glad Ugly Betty stay on the show.I hope should move on Wednesday night *finger crossing* because nothing on tv for me on Wednesday night.
Hope UB will stay on Wednesdays
The show deserves a chance
Ratings:
Season 1 – 11.3
Season 2 – 9.4
Season 3 – 8.0
Season 4 – 4.91
We need to get more people to watch the current series so the show can get a renewal *fingers crossed*
A Benry ending? That would seriously make me the happiest girl on the planet. Sorry to non-Benry fans, but OMG I would die of happiness. Henry has always been my favorite guy for Betty (you know, besides Daniel). Just don’t let her end up with Matt. Bleh.
@ Realme2008:
OMG GLEE IS SOOOO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!! You will totally get addicted to the songs. And Lea Michele has a AMAZING voice!! I’m soo jealous of her!!! And I love it when the teacher guy sings!! He’s soo good. I LOVED his cover of the Police’s “Don’t Stand to Close to Me”. And Artie did an awesome job of singing “Dancing By Myself”
You didn’t like Modern Family? OMG I totally die laughing watching the pilot!! It’s soo funny!!! And being half Colombian myself, I can actually say that Sofia Verga totally reminds me of my aunt, not diluted AT ALL!! I swear, I was having deja ve moments watching her. And she is actually HILARIOUS in real life. Just watch her in the interview with chealse lately. SOO FUNNY!!!!!!!!