Ugly Betty

Betty Suarez (America Ferrera) is a cheerful and optimistic young Mexican-American living happily with her father Ignacio (Tony Plana), sister Hilda (Ana Ortiz) and nephew Justin (Mark Indelicato) in Queens, New York. With her heavyset physique, frizzy medium-length hair, eyeglasses and braces plus her penchant for wearing clothes with clashing patterns and colors, she couldn't be further from what would be expected of an employee in a fashion magazine. But she landed a job as assistant to Daniel Meade (Eric Mabius), son of the owner of Meade Publications and editor-in-chief of Mode magazine.

Betty's life in Mode faces untold challenges, mostly from creative director Wilhelmina Slater (Vanessa Williams) who aims to be editor-in-chief as well as Wilhelmina's assistant Mark St. James (Michael Urie) and office receptionist Amanda Tanen (Becki Newton) who continuously bully Betty.

How Betty survives and triumphs in a hostile work environment is a delightful watch. Her transformation from ugly to gorgeous is as delightful. There is no dearth of romance as Betty's sunny and guileless disposition draw the attention of at least four young men. Other characters like Daniel, Wilhelmina, Ignacio, Hilda, Justin, Mark and Amanda also have their own romantic angles.

While some scenarios may be predictable and cliche, the witty and crisp writing keeps the dialogues freshly entertaining. Another thing I like is that crimes and misdemeanors, like murder and lying, do not escape consequences.

All in all, it's extremely entertaining.

After watching the first episode, I knew it wasn't going to be good show.I like the choice of America Ferrera as Betty, she wasn't well known back then and so we all see her as Betty. She played this outsider to the fashion world, she was hired as an assistant to the Editor in chief of a fashion magazine called MODE. Her boss is a play boy and his father owns the magazine, so her Creative director Wilhelmina played by the beautiful Vanessa Williams wants to take him down by siding with Daniel's brother/sister Alexa. The whole show is funny, creative and very fashionable. I love Wilhemina's outfits, i love the chemistry between Marc and Amanda, also friendship of Betty and Christina. It combines fashion with family, fun with funk. It was a shame the show was ended too early, I think it has the potential of getting better and even become of the iconic shows like Sex and the City.

Oh, words cannot express how much one actually loves this series! Like I was a teenager when this came out and since now I'm in my early 30's and have just finished watching it for the millionth time and revel in how iconic it is..... anyways...

Vanessa Williams - my god what an unbelievably talented, amazing, sensational actress she is. I mean her performance is utterly sensational. Credit to the rest of the cast they did a great job too.

I cannot fault anything with this series, the only negative thought about the show is that it ended so prematurely, after only 4 seasons.

So yes this show is legendary!

OK..so I am from the UK and have cheated a little, got my American friend to send me all the first season of ugly Betty and I love it :)

When I first heard about ugly Betty I thought...yes a show about a girl who isn't drop dead gorgeous - forgive me for being so clique - but I felt I could relate to her. Although point 1 Betty is NOT ugly, sure she has glasses, who doesn't now a days? braces, with the most perfect teeth I have ever seen and some questionable eyebrows but who cares? To me Betty is not ugly! Let's just get that out the way.

This show is one of the best American show I have seen in a long time -apart from DH which I very much enjoy. The characters are fabulous, Betty a sweetheart who everyone would love as a friend, Daniel some eye candy, Willamina, I was surprised how much I have grown to like her over the season. Amanada and Marc are a fabulous double act, can I join please? Christina :D:D being a Scot myself I love her and even though some characters make fun of her being Scottish, like calling her "braveheart" I love the character and the jokes about her accent :) The show to me has everything, and I am not just saying this but in the very first episode I laughed, I cried (at people laughing at Betty) and overall I was left with a warm feeling, that my dreams are possible and that beauty is on the inside also I was left wanting more.

The only one thing "bad" I have to say about it is that the message "beauty is on the inside, your dreams are possible" is smacked a bit too much in the audiences face, I think it was at least once an episode - we get it.

Overall, Ugly Betty is an enjoyable sitcom, that although people may be put off by its warm side has a great storyline with most of the central characters...my only request for season 2 more Christina

Okay, so "wonderful" and "heartwarming" are typical clichés. I did not want to get addicted to another show because it always seems the shows I enjoy end up getting canceled (anyone remember that little gem "Arrested Development?").

Ugly Betty is a great show. I figured when I saw the teasers for it that all the funny scenes were in the commercial and there would be nothing left in the show, but I gave it a chance. I thoroughly enjoyed watching. Salma Hayeck was hilarious in her cameo. Vanessa Williams is E-V-I-L! She seemed to relish in her role! America is amazing as Betty. She plays the part with sensitivity and does not make Betty seem cartoonish, which would have been very easy given the "ugly girl" costume she's wearing.

I will definitely continue to watch Ugly Betty. I am looking forward to seeing what kinds of situations Betty gets into in the future!