ABC benches 'Ugly Betty'
#1
Needs to contact a mod about multiple accounts
Thread Starter
ABC benches 'Ugly Betty'
Things are looking pretty gloomy for Ugly Betty.
In a just-announced Thursday night scheduling tweak, ABC is benching Betty beginning March 26 and replacing it with episodes of Samantha Who? and the new Megan Mullally-Cheryl Hines comedy In the Motherhood. The network's release concludes by saying, "Ugly Betty will return to Thursday nights at 8:00 p.m. following the run of In the Motherhood and Samantha Who?"
After crunching the numbers, that puts Betty's return (provided Sam Who/Motherhood don't tank) sometime around (gulp) June -- a.k.a. outside the regular season. Now, granted, Betty hasn't exactly been killing it in the ratings this season, but it's still one of ABC's signature shows. At least I thought it was.
"The Thursday night block is a good opportunity to launch these comedies," counters an ABC spokesperson. "That said, Betty is a solid performer and there is no question that it will definitely be back to complete its season, just without repeats."
But when will it be back? The net's not saying, and that's the part that has me worried. Do you share my concern? Or is there a silver lining here that I'm just not seeing?
In a just-announced Thursday night scheduling tweak, ABC is benching Betty beginning March 26 and replacing it with episodes of Samantha Who? and the new Megan Mullally-Cheryl Hines comedy In the Motherhood. The network's release concludes by saying, "Ugly Betty will return to Thursday nights at 8:00 p.m. following the run of In the Motherhood and Samantha Who?"
After crunching the numbers, that puts Betty's return (provided Sam Who/Motherhood don't tank) sometime around (gulp) June -- a.k.a. outside the regular season. Now, granted, Betty hasn't exactly been killing it in the ratings this season, but it's still one of ABC's signature shows. At least I thought it was.
"The Thursday night block is a good opportunity to launch these comedies," counters an ABC spokesperson. "That said, Betty is a solid performer and there is no question that it will definitely be back to complete its season, just without repeats."
But when will it be back? The net's not saying, and that's the part that has me worried. Do you share my concern? Or is there a silver lining here that I'm just not seeing?
WTF?
#6
DVD Talk God
Re: ABC benches 'Ugly Betty'
9 weeks behind. I've gradually lost interest in it, but will eventually catch up at some point. I believe ABC greenlit a bunch of mid-season shows and needs timeslots to put them in hence Betty being benched.
Last edited by DJariya; 01-26-09 at 07:23 PM.
#7
DVD Talk God
Re: ABC benches 'Ugly Betty'
If you go to the EW.com blog where this story originated from, there is literally 300+ posts from people saying how outraged they are by this and will never watch ABC again.
#8
DVD Talk Gold Edition
#10
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: ABC benches 'Ugly Betty'
Pretty soon, I'll have NO scripted series to watch anymore. Especially on the Networks.
#11
DVD Talk Legend
Re: ABC benches 'Ugly Betty'
If there had been an Internet at the time, people would have become incensed and threatened to boycott NBC when they canceled Manimal.
#12
DVD Talk Hero
Re: ABC benches 'Ugly Betty'
The truest thing I have read on the internet lately. Every show, no matter how bad it gets, has a hardcore fanbase that decries cancellation. If they pulled a test signal some people would get up in arms about it.
#15
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Re: ABC benches 'Ugly Betty'
This sucks, as there's another cast shake-up (one cast member wanting to leave, one guest getting killed off) added to this drama.
#16
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: ABC benches 'Ugly Betty'
Personally I think this is the right move. After this past episode, I removed this show from my weekly viewing. The only characters I can remotely stand to watch are Mark and Amanda anymore.
Betty always sublimates her career path to her family and her family always makes her feel guilty when she tries to take any responsibility for advancing her own career. Betty keeps making the same mistakes and letting everyone take advantage of her - it's all so frustrating.
Michael
Betty always sublimates her career path to her family and her family always makes her feel guilty when she tries to take any responsibility for advancing her own career. Betty keeps making the same mistakes and letting everyone take advantage of her - it's all so frustrating.
Michael
#18
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: ABC benches 'Ugly Betty'
Betty always sublimates her career path to her family and her family always makes her feel guilty when she tries to take any responsibility for advancing her own career. Betty keeps making the same mistakes and letting everyone take advantage of her - it's all so frustrating.
#19
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Re: ABC benches 'Ugly Betty'
We were just discussing how bad this show has gotten. I found the last couple of episodes revolving around the "family" storyline to be particularly painful. The rest of it has been pretty good, but anything with the "family" just turns to poo.
#20
DVD Talk Legend
Re: ABC benches 'Ugly Betty'
Betty's family annoys me how they are always trying to bring her down. Her sister is the worst. Giving Betty grief for not being there when the father had his heart attack, when she was WORKING. That was just wrong, no one can predict something like that happening and be with someone at every moment.
#22
Moderator
Re: ABC benches 'Ugly Betty'
I never really watched this show, but always assumed it was still a fan favorite and drew solid ratings. As result, surprised to hear this move by ABC.
#23
DVD Talk Legend
I just think the storyline needs a major shake-up: move Betty to reporting instead of assistant, for example. Moving her back home now feels like regression.
#24
Suspended
Re: ABC benches 'Ugly Betty'
Never caught this show (someday on DVD) but I feel for the fans. After ABC canceled all 3 of their sophmore shows I stopped caring for the network except Scrubs and Lost. After those end, I have no reason to tune to the network (much like CBS).
#25
Suspended
Re: ABC benches 'Ugly Betty'
Looks like you guys can blame Bones for kicking Ugly Betty's ass last week
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...012602172.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...012602172.html