If you’re among the millions of viewers who haven’t followed Ugly Betty to its deleterious new Friday timeslot, here’s what you’ve been missing: the show’s most consistently entertaining season since its transcendent first. As I mentioned in this week’s Ask Ausiello, the fourth-year comedy is, IMHO, enjoying a helluva creative resurgence. For proof, look not further than tonight’s exceptionally funny, moving, gutsy outing. If there were any doubts that Betty has a lot of life left in her — I’m talking to you, Ken Tucker — this eppy should obliterate them.
Now then, time to step off my soap box and board the spoiler train. Some teases for tonight’s hour:
* CSI: Miami’s Adam Rodriguez kicks off his multi-episode arc as Hilda’s bad-boy ex and promptly finds himself embroiled in a love triangle with the sisters Suarez. One minute into his debut, and I couldn’t believe Miami let this guy go.
* An embarrassing-turned-empowering incident at school leads to a major turning point in the ongoing saga of Justin’s sexuality that is alternately shocking and heartbreaking.
* A significant character dies. I think.
* Ana Ortiz carves out an early spot on my Dream Emmy Ballot with a performance that will move you to tears and laughter. Honorable mentions go to Michael Urie, Mark Indelicato, Vanessa Williams, and America Ferrera, who has come to embody Betty so wholly that it’s easy to take her superior work for granted.
* Mode is rocked by news of an OMG departure.
So did I get you adequately pumped for tonight? Do you agree that Betty has been on top of her game this season? Sound off below.
More Ugly Betty from EW:
Video: Slezak lightly grills Vanessa Williams
The 19 best quips from the best episode of the season (so far!)
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Re: Adam Rodriguez – Can’t compare what he did on CSI Miami to Ugly Betty, nor for that matter, Roswell. His story was DONE on CSI Miami. It’s great that he can finish there and start a new job.
Agreed…His time on CSI had passed. How many times can a guy keep getting shot in the head for heavens sake?
At first I was like blasphemy- Delco’s time will never pass on Miami! But thinking about it, you’re SO right…just HOW many times can he be shot. LOL
Exactly, he got shot too many times on Miami and I think they need to let some talent go. The only three people who must stay on are David Caruso-Jonathan Togo-Emily Procter in my opinion and I did enjoy him on Roswell and I hope he has a good run on Ugly Betty.
I loved Adam as Eric on CSI Miami. But his time on that show was over. That character has no where to go and it was time for Adam to move on. I wish him the best and I hope he goes on to a successful movie career.
Betty has been on FIRE this season! I’ve been watching it online on Sundays because of the bad time slot, but I’ve been consistently wowed by the story and acting this year. ABC, please move them back in the week!
Yay, Ugly Betty is so good this season! I’m so excited! But like most of the rest of America, I’m not home on a Friday evening, so I’ll watch it over the weekend online. I HOPE ABC TAKES THIS INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN CONSIDERING RATINGS!
I don’t think Betty has been as good as you’ve said to be honest. The first season was funnier and the mystery storyline revolving the masked woman had me hooked. Nowadays, the episodes are formulaic and focus far too much on romance. Having said that, I wouldn’t want Betty to be cancelled, it’s still easily one of the most entertaining shows on TV even if it’s a shadow of its former self.
I’m intrigued by tonight’s episode, OMG moments is exactly what’s missing from this season.
I figured putting it in the graveyard of Friday nights would have finally rid us of this horrible show!
if u truly feek that way y are you commenting on this grow up
Maybe you should write your insults out so the person you are insulting can actually figure out what you are writing, so in your own words: “grow up” and get a friggin dictionary.
still love this show! Nothing ‘ugly’ about it, but laughter!
She’s ugly, but nice. Frumpy homely whiny stout, every joke is at her expense, a fashion disaster, gets the shaft, and doesn’t ask for her fair share, like a good well-trained slave.
You really haven’t watched in a while, have you?
My way or Galway.
I love this show!
I have been watching this fantastic season of UB Thursday evenings after work on TV Guide channel. Ugly Betty is far too Mod and Glam to be on Friday nights when most UB fans are hipsters themselves and are out on the town..That sounded so Gene Kelly..
i think ugly betty is such a nice change from many gritty “csi” and reality type shows. maybe to save it, they should fine tune it to a half hour show and put it in the “hank” slot on wednesday nights.
Betty works better an an hour show! Gives much more time to develop plots, a half hour would just be a show of “one liners”. Move it to Eastwicks spot!
Betty needs to be saved! This season is the best its been since the first. I honestly didnt see the Nico twist coming in the previous episode!
I really hope ratings pick up, because at the moment i’d be stunned to see Betty back next year
I agree! The Nico twist was definitely surprising. I agree that previous seasons haven’t lived up to the epic first season, but they were never bad enough for me to stop watching. Even at its “worst”, it’s still one of my favorite shows & one of the most entertaining out there.
I used to watch UB, but last season was just so bad I couldn’t continue. I learned my lesson from Heroes – once a show goes bad, better to give it up than keep slogging through – as in the case with Heroes, you might be in for a LONG haul. Glad to hear UB is back, but I just couldn’t take it any more last year!
You should give it another try. It really has improved this year, unlike Heroes.
It is so good this year. Maybe give it a try tonight and decide whether or not it’s worth coming back to – all of the reviewers have been peeing their pants over this particular episode (even the ones who were begging for it all to end last season), if that says anything.
And at least UB never took itself as seriously as Heroes did. I just couldn’t take watching that show act like it was the deepest, most original thing ever created in the scifi/action genre, personally.
DO WATCH IT!!1 I AGREE IT WAS BAD LAST YEAR BUT TRUST ME, THIS IS REALLY REALLY GOOD!!!!!
I’M TELLING YOU, I’M TELLING YOU!!!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this show and the entire cast. Hate that ratings are dropping and I’ll be really, really bummed if ABC drops the ball (again) and cancels this show (Eli Stone!). This season has been great and ABC needs to know that!!
I loved Eli Stone, too, and miss it so much. This season of UB has really started off well, and I am adoring Marc’s integration into the Suarez family; snarky Marc is funny, but I like some sweetness with the salt. I’ve adored the show from the beginning and will watch it until the end.
loved Eli Stone – starting to really hate ABC
I haven’t given up on Betty and I can’t wait for tonight’s episode. It’s been such a great season. I’m so looking forward to anything involving Justin and Hilda, so much potential with those storylines. C’mon ABC, give Betty Eastwick’s slot!
I’m enjoying ugly betty but always have. This year has been pretty good and the first episode of the season was a reminder of how awesome the show is. I wish ABC would move it back to Tuesday or Wed at 8. It can go well with an hour of comedies at 9. Tuesday would be better as it’d be a great alternative to what is (or isn’t) on now
Ugly Betty’s making my Friday nights, although I’m excited to hear it could be moving to a better timeslot, ratings-wise.