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Show ABC gives 'Ugly Betty' a beauty spot on Thursday & Ts iNTtUKTUAl PROPERTY TSij Jf'- : ' ' Y I EVER 1 A CARES LIVING y -- scon coiiins characters ridicule an unattract ive heroine every week might strike many Americans as or politically incorrect. the past week ABCs TV blogger Terry Morrow of fall show "Ugly the Knoxville (Tena) News has gotten the Sentinel wrote: "The title is kind of lucky break most terrible ... Why don't they just producers would swap their August rental in the Hamptons call it 'The Sexist Show' and be for. The big question now is more obvious?" whether its target audience of Hayek told reporters last young women will turn the se- month that the title is meant ries into this year's sleeper a la sarcastically, and that the "Desperate Housewives" or show intends to criticize superficial notions of beauty. be repelled by a concept that "We're making fun of the just didn't translate. people that would think that's Inspired by the Colombian telenovela " Yo Soy Betty, la ugly," she said of the title charFea" ("I Am Betty, the Ugh"), a acter. "I think she's beautiful." ABC needs the help more smash hit in Spanish-languag-e than one might think. The markets, "Ugly Betty" stars network battled to No. 2 in the America Ferrera as a smart but 200546 season in the adults young her signature garb Hispanic demographic, just a fracis a loud, print poncho who tion behind market leader Fox, home of "American Idol." endures regular humiliation in But ABCs new shows perher job at a snooty magazine. formed badly last season; the There's no shortage of d "What About Brian" glamour on either side of the was the only first-yecamera; the cast includes the scripted former Miss series invited back. Some of the ABC shows slated for singer Vanessa Williams, this fall have run into trouble, who plays a haughty fashion too: Last week, the executive editor, and one of the executive producers is Mexican-borproducer behind "Brothers & actor Salma Hayek, who also Sisters," a family drama with Calista Flockhart, abruptly quit has a cameo in the pilot. But what really raised the series after a dispute with the show's creator over the "Betty's" profile was ABC's decision last Week to shift the program's creative directioa "ABC really needs some hits hourlong program from the this year," said Brad Adgate, dead zone of Friday nights to 8 p.m. Thursa senior vice president at ad firm Horizon Media in New York. day berth leading into "Grey's d Anatomy," one of the Thursday may give the netshows on TV. work its best shot. While ABC has never had much success Thursday is shaping up as programming that night, NBCs prime time's top race this fall, and "Betty," a show that just ratings have a few weeks ago looked like cratered since "Friends" went off the air in 2004. And "Earl" is suddenly in the an also-rathick of it, taking onBS's du- and "The Office" have failed to rable "Survivor" .plusthe NBC pay big dividends after moving comedies "My Name Is Earl" to Thursdays this year. Meanand "The Office." while, the "Grey's" move suddenly gives ABC momentum Thursdays are especially and an opportunity like this important to TV executives because that's when car and may not come again soon. As ABC scheduling chief Jeff movie companies spend top dollar to pitch their products to Bader said, This is an incredprospective weekend shoppers. ibly important night for us." Thanks to "Grey's" and That may help explain why "Housewives," ABC has had "Betty's" creators are already success courting women ages toiling to reposition the series 18 to 49 lately, and if "Betty" not as a telenovela import with an continues the trend the paytitle, but rather a timeless tale. off could be enormous. ABC As executive producer Ben executives said they were Silverman told reporters last encouraged that at July's TV month, "It is an eternal show. press tour in Pasadena, the It is 'Cinderella,' it is 'My Fair pilot earned positive reactions from some writers. Lady.' It has worked a thouBut "Betty" is already fendsand times in a thousand places in a thousand ways." ing off concerns that having , j All AW0NE1 WANT ABOUT? I ,10 EARN nm J - WAY THE LOS ANGELES TIMES st Over fashion-challenge- WOULD YOU uj - M r- -- d I n ny 'of coucst, e.uTus...wwtf? KLpttE W 11 rxA J$'2A BOOKS U r--- IIm 4 J iriT UjC.wujvj) I TL I & j DON'T YOU I T scam JvL-- jl.56 p I rmTl J I "you DOUT TWNK I M Decisive., do you ? ok. j ruen NMW, fw&e YOO CO, in-"- ..I J Ssfac3 low-rate- America-turned-po- v- I books j 7 I NURSERY RHYMES for "' TH-- t STREET SMART j njfe&-- r I n VoOR FRANK ANP MILLIE AriE COLLECTING SHELLS! FRANK"! muST THEV BE SHTUFFEP WITH RICOTTA CHEESE J.L ANP TOMATO SHAUCE. high-visibili- most-watche- muttjcomies i mtm mm com i mmiumm 8ff once-domina- g ugly-duckli- , SAL! I'VE GOT GREAT NEWS!) 1 r I'M SONNA j OKAY, YOU 60 FIRST. WHERE CO WE t |
