After a five-week hiatus, Ugly Betty takes back its Thursday perch tonight with the first of five all-new episodes. To mark the occasion, series creator Silvio Horta — who on Monday was honored with the Courage Award from the Point Foundation (great organization, check it out) — gave me permission to interrogate him about all things Ugly, including Henry’s return, Christina’s exit, Justin’s sexuality, and, yes, Betty’s braces.
Are you looking at Matt and Betty as a long-term couple?
SILVIO HORTA: As long-term as it gets in TV. As with any romance, there will be obstacles as well as some misunderstandings before the finale, and it’s going to lead to some juicy stuff next year. Matt’s going to be around and their relationship is going to be changing and growing.
How significantly will Henry’s return threaten their relationship?
HORTA: They’ve both moved on, but they obviously are still an important part of each others’ lives and that’s going to become a complication. There’s going to be feelings of insecurity on Matt’s side, and there are some unresolved things between Henry and Betty.
Speaking of Betty’s exes, might we see Gio again?
HORTA: Potentially, but there are no plans at this point.
Will the issue of Justin’s sexuality be addressed next season?
HORTA: Yeah, we’re going to explore stuff. He’ll be going to high school and getting older, so we’ll definitely be exploring that.
Will Marc find love after Cliff?
HORTA: We’ve been discussing it. We haven’t started breaking the exact stories for next year, but that’s one of the things we’ve really talked about. We want to see [Marc and Amanda's] love lives.
How would you characterize Ashley Jensen’s departure? Was it mutual?
HORTA: It was mutual. She’s amazing. From the get-go, we found some really good stories for her, but we never found enough to service her character the way we wanted to and the way she wanted to. She wanted to do more, but it was [difficult] with a large ensemble like this to give her more. I hope in the future she’ll come back. She’s an important part of the show.
Will Christina get a satisfying send-off?
HORTA: She will. Next week’s episode will [set things in motion] with Wilhelmina’s baby – or her supposed baby – and it’s going to lead to a lot of complications.
Ana Ortiz gives birth in June. Will we see less of Hilda at the start of next season due to her maternity leave?
HORTA: We may write her a little lighter in the beginning, but we’re not writing her out or anything.
Who is Rachel Dratch playing in the finale?
HORTA: She’s playing a dual role. She’s playing Penny Meadows, an editor at Mode, and she’s also playing Mindy Meadows, her twin sister. It’s a one-time guest stint, but she was great.
The most asked Ugly Betty question from my readers: When is Betty getting her braces off?
HORTA: Her braces will be off by the end of next season. Next year, there’s going to be a progression in her look overall. It’ll still be Betty, but you’ll see some growth in that direction.
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Yes! No Gio! I hope he comes back for one ep where he is beaten to death with one of his own sandwiches. I’ll miss seeing Ashley Jensen. Yikes! No more braces??
FINALLY the braces come off. It’s been three long years (in TV time). Umm, Justin might be gay? huh? When did this come about? (hehe)
Thank goodness! Betty’s “look” has bothered me for a very long time. I understand why she shouldn’t be transformed into a ravishing beauty, but she looks like she should be in middle school, for cryting out loud!! I just think she should look a little more age appropriate. I am really glad to hear about the braces coming off and I really hope they change her hairstyle a little. That’s all I am looking for!
What ? What ? “there will be obstacles as well as some misunderstandings before the finale (…), their relationship is going to be changing and growing” ??? I thought that the end was supposed to be Betty / Daniel ? And that he would fall in love with her BEFORE she had a makeover ? That’s killing the whole concept that has made “Betty La Fea” this international multi-awarded series/telenovela… I’m disappointed !!
Even though I am actually a fan of an eventual Betty/Daniel connection I don’t think many people are (including Eric Mabius & America Ferrera). I just don’t think that is going to happen on this version of the show. Sorry.
Um in all BETTY version BETTY ends up with her BOSS!!!
Betty & Daniel should end up together!
Taking off the braces though is like taking the little hat off of Donald Duck. It’s a part of her “image”. I don’t know…
http://tvdonewright.com/2009/04/30/upfront-preview-how-leno-will-hurt-nbc/
That may be true, but in almost every interview with America Ferrera and/or Eric Mabius they have shown MAJOR dislike for the show going that direction and America Ferrera is a producer so I don’t see it happening on the American version. Like I said- I actually am a fan of the two of them eventually growing towards each other so I would like to see it happen and continue to hold out hope for it, I just think that it won’t.
It is about friggin time! One thing that always bothered me about UB she has worn those BRACES SINCE HIGH SCHOOL and she is now 25?!? I know this is a sitcom and not “necessarily” real life but come on!! Her teeth must have looked like wolf fangs knarling on a tin can if they have been on for 7 plus years
Betty and Daniel together??? YUCK!! Plus Betty is too good for Daniel. He’s shallow and an idiot.
this show has been creatively stagnant and complacent since the middle of S2. Maybe this hiatus was a good kick in the butt for them and the writers will up there game.
I love Betty’s braces….keep ‘em on.
It’s about frakkin time they did *something* with Betty’s look. I get the name of the show is “Ugly Betty,” but for cryin’ out loud, how ugly does she have to be? Why couldn’t Hilda have “practiced” on her or maybe she could wear just one outfit that doesn’t clash? One can be plain, simple, etc, without being every classic example of “ugly” all at the same time. Jeesh.
In the ORIGINAL Colombian version of Ugly Betty known as “Betty La Fea,” Daniel falls in love with Betty BEFORE her physical makeover. His makover involves his maturity and character. In the end, they end up together.
Betty’s braces keep getting caught in the pubes.
I agree with those who wrote that this show has been awful since middle of season two. It should be cancelled.
Interesting. But our Betty deserves better than our Daniel.
“Her braces will be off by the end of next season.”
That’s still a year away! C’mon… she can still be “ugly” without the braces.
Glad to hear they’re changing her look. I hope it’s for the better. If Betty’s smart enough to get into YETI (sp?) and save Daniel’s family time and again, she’s smart enough to figure out how to dress and get a good haircut. The fact that she looks like she’s in elementary school is beyond stupid. Please have her get a “uniform” or try on a bunch of different “uniforms” (basic pantsuit to little black dress and pearls or something!) until she looks good on a budget. So many fish out of water stories of working class girl in NYC, we don’t need to see her look like a clueless idiot anymore! Ugly Betty doesn’t need to be “ugly” anymore.
The braces don’t bother me so much as the ridiculously fake-looking outfits. Her outfits have been getting increasing garish and more like costumes. No one would walk out the door like that. First season, they were plausible, this season they are distracting and completely implausible.
Count me in as one of the people in support of her losing the braces! There is a point when continuing to have them on is BAD for one’s teeth. And I know the first poster was joking, but I can see them having a negative effect on her sex life. Also, maybe she’ll sound less whiny without the braces.
Thank You for this interview! This was, hands down, WAY better than today’s “Ask Ausiello”. I absolutely love Ugly Betty and all the characters on it. As far as Betty’s suitors go, I like Gio the best. I love Marc and Amanda, they are talented and underused. But, as he said, it is a large ensemble cast and they are all so good it’s hard to give each one more to do. Thanks again, Ausiello!
i’m actually happy to see that they aren’t just copying the original point for point. yes in THAT version Betty and Daniel end up together. but this isn’t that version. if that’s what was wanted they should have just dubbed english language tracks over the original and shown that.
Thanks Ausiello! Great interview! I love Ugly Betty and it looks like the show is going in the right direction. I’ve been enjoying Betty and Matt, so glad to see they’ll be long(er) term. Also, can’t wait to see Marc and Amanda’s love lives!! But I miss Cliff
He was my favorite. Keep the scoops coming!
Thank goodness Betty needs a change. I agree with previous posters her clothes this season were more like a costume. Its also about damn time those braces came off. Also i have missed the show.
Downhill since midseason 2? I agree. That’s when Marco Pennette was booted out. Big mistake. And it doesn’t look like it’s going to get any better. What a shame.
I love this show but I am very annoyed by Betty still wearing her braces, having such a bad hair cut, and having these horrid concoctions for her ensemble. She can be frumpy, and “ugly” without being ridiculous. It was okay at first, but it has gotten really odd considering how long she has been at Mode. Nobody expects her to pull a “Devil Wears Prada” transformation, but she could at least use a flat iron!
I love Gio…they were so cute together…I don’t like these dorky guys she goes out with, I think she needs a man who is more assertive and knows what he wants. OH and yes I am glad those braces are finally coming off!
I really hope that writers will write something serious for Justin next year. I noticed this year how much better Mark Indelicato got and I would like to see him in some serious storyline. I don´t need some highschool gay-hate but maybe a boyfriend or something. And he DESERVED a storyline. Justin is great character.
I hope the writers do BETTER job than they have been this season to keep us more and more interested in the show like we were during Seasons 1 & 2, I wanna see Ugly Betty become one of thelongest running shows!!!!