Why is ABC treating Ugly Betty so badly?
by Allison Waldman, posted Nov 29th 2009 1:28PM
The ratings are in from Friday night -- that was the Friday after Thanksgiving, a night when the major networks were showing movies and reruns -- and, not surprising, the numbers are pretty low. Oh, wait, one network had new shows, ABC. But the ratings for a new Ugly Betty at 9 p.m. were dismal. Ugly Betty came in dead last with just a 0.9/3, only 3.39 million viewers for that timeslot.
A few weeks ago, I thought -- hoped -- things were looking up for Ugly Betty. It looked like the show was going to get a timeslot switch to Eastwick's Wednesday at 10 p.m. Alas, ABC has done nothing. Eastwick is not picked up for the season and it's still losing in that spot -- it had a 1.2/4 and just 3.89 million viewers this past week. That said, why isn't ABC giving Betty some love with a time change?
Good question. I wish I had the answer, but I don't. I can speculate and it seems to be that ABC has decided that there is no future with Ugly Betty. The network has abandoned the show. Why else would it waste a new episode on Friday night? I think I may be one of the only people who watched it, and I did because I DVR'd it. The numbers aren't in yet, but I suspect that part one of the Monk finale was the ratings juggernaut of the night.
Sad to say, Ugly Betty is not destined to survive beyond this season. ABC has given no indication that it has faith in the show. It'll probably show the allotment of episodes and kiss it goodbye, a once-great, award-winning show being given short shrift. And you know what really sucks? Ugly Betty is still a good show.
Yes, it's suffered from some cast erosion and the show no longer has the "hot" buzz, but it's still good characters and situations that are interesting. It's ripe for a resurrection. If only ABC would give it some love and encouragement.
[Watch Ugly Betty episodes on SlashControl.]
Comments
by pBOB, posted Nov 29th 2009
It's a sad shame. Two major story arcs were conclued and I bet nobody saw but true Betty fans. Why this ep was bumped last week for a stupid movie is beyond me.
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by dylan, posted Nov 29th 2009
I AM SOOOO ANNOYED! WHY HAS ABC DONE THIS!?
i am a true ugly betty fan and have loved the show since the beggining of season 1 and i will be so sad if its not renwed for another season. THE SHOW DESERVES ALOT MORE CREDIT, SEEING AS ITS WON 33 AWARDS AND 77 NOMINATIONS! i am a true ugly betty fan and those who dont like the show, don't know what 'HOT' is.
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by collin, posted Nov 29th 2009
"Why is ABC treating Ugly Betty so badly?"
Perhaps it's because the show is ridiculous and geared towards 8-year-old girls?
Considering the competition from high-praised shows on cable, the broadcast networks are probably cleaning house in order to survive. Or so you'd think.
This is a horrible show.
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by Anna, posted Nov 29th 2009
collin, I didnt think an idiot of your stature could be alive, but Im wrong. Geared towards 8 year old girls? 8 year old girls are watchinh Hannah Montana and Disney is you had any connection with media right now, you would know that.
And "horrible show"? You must not have seen the show or at least havnt seen it lately if you beleive it's bad. I actually find it comical that you havn't seen it and judge it. I feel sorry for you if anything.
Anyway, back to the topic. I agree - Ugly Betty is the best it's ever been this season. ABC is just stupid. They did the same thing to Pushing Daisies. The thing that bugs me the most is while Ugly Betty is the most creative show ABC has, it doesnt care AND ABC needs to realize that Grey's and Housewives are reaching their end very soon. They wont always have them and then what will they do? They havnt really had any other show with that sort of success have they.
It's so sad but at least we can all be thankful we got a 4th season, especially since its been a fantastic one so far.
As far as ratings go, It was Black friday, a friday, the day after thanksgiving and a long weekend. The numbers are always low this time of year. It should be back up next week.
by collin, posted Nov 29th 2009
Idiot? Wow. If I had an eight-year-old's appreciation for all things like you do, I'd actually be affected by your name calling.
Actually, I do have to watch Ugly Betty and Grey's against my will (gf watches both). And yes, I'm able to see how campy and silly the show is. But then again, perhaps I'm more interested in "oh-so-serious" shows like Breaking Bad, Dexter and Sons of Anarchy. Shows that actually are good and praised for their writing.
And I agree that Pushing Daisies should've never been canceled. I'm surprised other networks haven't picked up the show.
Oh. One more thing. Learn how to type properly while you're watching Ugly Betty.
by Ryan, posted Nov 29th 2009
All I know is I'm looking forward to seeing what new direction Ugly Betty will take now that two of its huge plot arcs have more or less concluded. And thank God for that since those two arcs, I thought, sucked some life from the show.
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by Julie, posted Nov 29th 2009
I hope ABC doesn't cancel Ugly Betty! I'm so glad it has finally gone back to it's original roots - the Spanish version. The show is also starting to give real story lines to Amanda, Mark and Justin. Frankly, I was getting sick of the Community of the Phoenix thing. That was becoming a stretch like a lot of the off-the-wall plots which was making the show lose viewers. It should stick to what Ugly Betty is really about - Betty looking like America Ferrera, taking over Mode and falling in love with Daniel by changing her looks and gaining more confidence in work and life. She changed her hair - somewhat, plucked her eyebrows, got new glasses and a better wardrobe. But let's get going. Get rid of the braces already! That's one of the big problems - it's too slow with her transformation. If they also get rid of the slapstick stories and continue with the heartfelt drama it once was, the ratings will go up. And what makes me really mad is a lot of us put stuff on the DVR, then watch it. Just because we aren't watching a show that second doesn't mean it's not being viewed. The networks know this. Otherwise what's the point of DVR?
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by erica, posted Nov 29th 2009
It's sad because the show has actually improved from last season.
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by hike108, posted Nov 29th 2009
I agree; ABC is taking too long with Betty's transformation. I gave up watching Ugly Betty a year ago because I tired with the whole "ugly" thing, plus the campy storyline. If the show is going to end, let Betty and Daniel have an adult relationship. ABC also ditched American Dreams suddenly and it was an excellent serial.
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by Tracey, posted Nov 30th 2009
American Dreams was on NBC. All networks are guilty of doing this, I remember when they dumped Third Watch on Fridays when it was still a great show, It was too expensive so they moved it there to justify cancelling it when the ratings would unsurprisingly decline.
by Michael, posted Nov 29th 2009
I actually have no idea why they're treating Ugly Betty so bad. It can't be because the show is crazy and melodramatic--it's always been that way. It can't be because it's trying to improve its reputation--what are they competing against really, when other channels show crap like Survivor, Big Brother or Melrose Place/90210/Gossip Girl? And if reputation is what they really cared about, they would've axed Brothers and Sisters and Private Practice already.
It just seems idiotic to give up on a show that still has a lot of life, and ratings, left in it. And for no real reason.
Anyway, I saw the last episode, because I don't bother with Black Friday sales. I thought this season has been pretty great so far. I've particularly enjoyed Wilhelmina's storyline with her daughter, though I had hoped there'd been more going on in their final confrontation than there was.
And I don't know why people think the Betty in this version should get with Daniel just because she did in other versions--they dont' fit at all! Regardless, those who feel that way might get their wish, considering they kissed in this last episode (even if Daniel was drugged up at the time).
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by beergas, posted Nov 29th 2009
First season had bite to writing. Scored with Calif based snarky references. By time it was going reverse coastal the edge was fading.
As much fun as Fashion Week and such could offer in Man'h for inside yucks, well no one here has any time for this mess given the jobless recession impacting Metro crowd. That 20s & 30s young things that might have made Ugly lovable like Cheers just ain't buying into this. Man'h wealthy crowd is way over the level presented here. Less wealthy, larger, crowd is wasting days away in coffee Net shops seeking work in an economy that doesn't need them. Imagine years on parents' dime thru college and Ugly Betty is best that is offered!? Ugly is just Ugly.
Ironically, I saw a 3 word t-shirt in front window of quietly hip store in Hell's Kitchen last week. Handmade special.
God Hates Ugly.
No audience for playland anymore. With at least 10.3% jobless in Man'h who cares about these petty pampered players. Escapism has had its day for awhile. Will take a more
prosperous lifestyle era to support this. Things like Community seem more in keeping with the tone hard as that is to imagine. Comm is funny show with a lower common denominator to make it go down smoother.
Remember how 'out' fashion became as the French Revolution roared on.
On to White Collar.
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by Sarah, posted Nov 29th 2009
wow! my DVR didn't even pick up on the new episode of Betty. which means my service provider didn't have it scheduled as a new episode. wonderful job, ABC.
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by Megan, posted Nov 29th 2009
Yes, I don't understand it either. They changed the season premier date three times, and moved it to a Friday. Knowing that "Ugly Betty" is not the type of show that would do well on a Friday night. Plus the ratings were already declining. If they truly cared about the show they would have moved it to Wednesday nights after the 3rd season, because it would have fit perfectly with the "Cougar Town" & "Modern Family" comedy block. I'm just truly convinced that ABC has stopped caring. A lot of people didn't even know that a new episode aired on Friday, because ABC fails to promote it properly. They didn't even put a "In Two Weeks" promo at the end of 4x06. Now let this be "Grey's Anatomy" or "Desperate Housewives" there is no way they would do that to them! It's just such a shame, because Ugly Betty is just such a truly entertaining show with wonderful acting and story lines. The writing hasn't been this strong since season 1, and ABC is just totally ignoring that.
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by Sarah, posted Dec 8th 2009
It's my favourite show on television--and I know what that brand usually earns a show: Cancellation-Is-Imminent. C'mon! The acting's great, the lines still punch, and the show doesn't feel like a merry-go-round of Case 1, Case 2, Case 1, Case 2, Case 1....
Oh, but one thing I want to happen:
Bring. Gio. Back.
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by Cray, posted Nov 29th 2009
This is simply a case of being in the wrong time slot and ABC not willing to move it where it might survive. I'm thinking Monday or Tuesday @7pm would help.
The show is aimed at teenagers, whether adult viewers want to admit it or not. The topic is not heavy, and it deals with a lot dramatic issues that a teen might go through, despite the theme of the show. I mean no slight to the adults who enjoy this show. My sister who is in her early 40's enjoys this show with her teenage daughter. But it really was just lead in for Grey's Anatomy.
Now that Ugly Betty is no longer a lead in program to ABC's once hottest show, I really don't see it surviving on Fridays.
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by Jimmy, posted Nov 30th 2009
Look at what NBC is doing with Jay Leno. Broadcast TV is dying, and all the powers that be recognize it.
To.
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by royce, posted Nov 30th 2009
It is a show that has run it's course. ABC is going to let it run out. They have enough episodes to package it out already. It will run this season, possibly have a short season after that, to pad out to 100 eps.
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