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Post by Lane Kent on Jan 1, 2007 20:39:42 GMT
Okay for those of you who may have seen it what is your verdict? Ireland should have it tonight.
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Post by eithne on Jan 2, 2007 0:36:40 GMT
Warning, this may contain mild spoilers:
This is a toughie. The show has totally divided me. I liked it, but didn't like it at the same time. I mean I love the premise, but maybe all the speculation about the show before hand had me wanting to like it - but in the end not liking it.
The first episode was basically the "typical establishing eveything" episode, with Betty applying for a job, not getting it, being called back, being hated and later humiliated, Danny apologising, Betty lashing out etc.
But maybe it felt a little like "I've seen this so many times before, so it ain't anything new." Despite this I stayed watching for the whole episode and liked certain elements of what I saw. At the end of the first episode I thought to myself "the second episode will be better as it will show what Ugly Betty is like on a weekly basis as all the setting up has been done".
But the second episode, while funny, also left me feeling slightly disappointed. I was expecting something remarkable - but this was only a bit above average IMHO. It was still good though - and I feel it is the slight bit of mystery which will keep me watching more than anything else.
Should be really interesting to see what everyone else says about it this Friday.
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Post by Lane Kent on Jan 2, 2007 18:31:04 GMT
Its had some bad reviews in the UK press picking out your bad points. However having read widely about some of the sub plots I am still looking forward to it. We just get episode on Friday.
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Post by Lane Kent on Jan 2, 2007 18:32:08 GMT
Its had some bad reviews in the UK press picking out your bad points. However having read widely about some of the sub plots I am still looking forward to it. We just get episode on Friday.
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Post by eithne on Jan 2, 2007 19:57:58 GMT
That just proves that I could easily be a reviewer for any magazine/newspaper. LOL!!!  |
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Post by Lane Kent on Jan 5, 2007 22:50:04 GMT
I won't cover ground Eithne has said as I agree with her assessment. However I will add to it. Okay well it normally takes me a bit to get into pilots, I guess because it is a new situation and new characters to get to know. So I normally don't appreciate pilots until I've watched a few episodes of a series then go back to see the pilot.
I was pleasantly surprised by this pilot. It was fast moving and very dumbed down so easy to follow. I was expecting not to like Betty but she likable enough. At times she was OTT but by episode's end she seemed to be fitting in comfortably to her role. In fact all the characters are likable which is where the first problem arises. I couldn't find a strong enough villain. There is supposed to be Amanda, Wilhelmina and "Willie's" boyfriend, however all of them were a bit too likable or amusing that I couldn't feel any real hatred for them. At worst they came across as daft, at best nondescript. Every show needs a villain.
There was only one scene that had me laughing but I already forgotten what it was. There were a few scenes where I felt pity for Betty.
For partially sighted and blind people the audio description was very good. In fact it probably was more informative with its info than the script playing out on screen.
This was just the pilot as we didn't have episode two on Channel 4. The first showing of episode 2 for us is on E4 on Wednesday at 9pm (which is when I will probably follow the series if I decide to stick with it). Channel 4 gets episode 2 at 9:30pm next Friday.
It will be interesting to see what the standard episode will be like? As entertaining as it was it wasn't that good, not as bad as the critics said but not that good. There weren't characters to identify with nor characters to fall in love with. I can't see how these characters, the show's premise or the plots can sustain a long-running series? However who knows? I shall watch episode 2 and take it from there.
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Post by eithne on Jan 7, 2007 20:01:16 GMT
So you more or less had the same reaction as me then?
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Post by Lane Kent on Jan 7, 2007 20:13:10 GMT
Yes.
I believe it nearly got 5 million viewers over here but not yet checked a full break down of ratings.
The show and the star are hot favourites to take the Globe and SAG awards this year. We shall see though?
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Post by eithne on Jan 7, 2007 20:21:54 GMT
It could well be a show that divides the Atlantic - with Americans loving it, and Europeans not being so sure. I read today that there are EIGHT different Betty's around the world, in places as diverse as Germany, Israel and Columbia (the original comes from there).
Channel 4 should have considered making their own version IMO.
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Post by pearly queen on Jan 7, 2007 21:13:01 GMT
I saw the first ep - it was OK, but not that funny.
It's a little bit like Ab Fab - but a version where Saffy wants to join in with her mother's world instead of rejecting it. As such, it seems to be a one joke idea - ugly girl proving herself among all the beautiful bitches and impressing the shallow and slightly dumb boss.
I hope they can find some more material for subsequent eps, and hopefully make it a bit more funny.
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Post by Lane Kent on Jan 7, 2007 22:49:17 GMT
That's what worries me, the subsequent episodes. I will watch episode 2 probably on Wednesday on E4. Fridays are not good for me really.
I knew about the Columbia one being the first but I didn't know there were 8 in total around the world. I suppose Ch4 were trying to cash in on their US sitcom Friday slot of the 80s and 90s. I've even heard them describe it as a sitcom. I would hardly call it that.
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Post by Lane Kent on Jan 8, 2007 19:41:34 GMT
Here are the ratings from www.mediaguardian.co.ukIt did well however I'm not really surprised considering what it was up against. If you don't like reality singing contests/soapstars etc, you were left with little choice. It will be interesting to see what episode 2 gets or for that matter once the reality things end. |
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Post by eithne on Jan 9, 2007 0:04:16 GMT
I saw the first ep - it was OK, but not that funny. It's a little bit like Ab Fab - but a version where Saffy wants to join in with her mother's world instead of rejecting it. As such, it seems to be a one joke idea - ugly girl proving herself among all the beautiful bitches and impressing the shallow and slightly dumb boss. I hope they can find some more material for subsequent eps, and hopefully make it a bit more funny. Do you think that you will keep watching Pearly? I forgot about the third episode tonight on RTE, but will probably watch when it arrives on E4. |
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Post by SharonHarvey2 on Jan 9, 2007 10:56:51 GMT
Well I meant to catch the repeat, but missed it, but there are seemingly some mixed reviews. I turned Channe4 on for the repeat, and it was just finishing! However, the male presenter said he was having great difficulty understanding the 'reason' for the show and the character, and even when his co presenter tried explaining it, he still looked confused.
This is the general feeling everywhere even in the press, so it maybe will be one of these programmes that will need to grow on people?
I noticed Alan Dale (Neighbours and more recently NCIS boss) is now in it, hence his departure from NCIS.
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Post by Lane Kent on Jan 9, 2007 23:36:21 GMT
I forgot about the third episode tonight on RTE, but will probably watch when it arrives on E4. Remember Eithne that I think E4 episodes are on Wednesday at 9pm. Tomorrow should be episode 2 so episode 3 should be next Wednesday, the 17th, by which time you will have had episode 4. |
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Post by eithne on Jan 10, 2007 22:19:13 GMT
Thanks for that. Did you watch episode 2 then on E4 tonight Lane? I liked the little bit of mystery, but the rest of the episode was average as I've said before.
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Post by Lane Kent on Jan 11, 2007 1:33:00 GMT
No because I remembered it clashed with Dead Like Me. Both would of been reshown on their respective plus an hours at 10 but that clashed with Desperate Housewives. So I will have to remember to record it Friday.
From next week I will be more organised as I will only need to watch the E4 Desperate Housewives. So I can watch Dead Like Me at 9, Ugly Betty at 10 and then DH at 11.
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Post by Lane Kent on Jan 13, 2007 15:51:39 GMT
Thanks for that. Did you watch episode 2 then on E4 tonight Lane? I liked the little bit of mystery, but the rest of the episode was average as I've said before. Okay the second episode of "Ugly Betty" aired in the UK last night on Channel 4 and I now have a better idea what I think of this series. 10 out of 10 for the actress playing Betty but the show itself is mediocre at best. How it can be described a sitcom is beyond me. If I cracked a smile in the pilot it was once. And I don't think I cracked one last night. While it comes under the bracket of family entertainment, surely "Ugly Betty" is directed mainly at children? The colours are garish and bright. The plot line very simple. For example last night's A Plot centred on a book going missing and the chase around to find it. The B Plot followed the pattern of the previous week. Daniel Mead wears his brains in his trousers but is basically a nice guy. Betty is bullied. Somehow one or other of them come together to save the day. The villains are pantomime at best. With the possible exception of Amanda, they have no real substance and cannot be taken seriously. There is a shadowy figure behind the scenes plotting with Wilhelmina (the main villain, and did her sidekick change actors)? However I'd never be surprised if the shadowy figure is the woman who is supposed to be dead. The publisher himself has a mystery but it isn't a very strong one. I'm slightly intrigued by Alan Dale's character. It is the type of show if there is nothing else on, there is no harm in watching but I won't go out of my way to watch it. |
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Post by SharonHarvey2 on Jan 13, 2007 15:58:34 GMT
I keep meaning to grab this, but keep missing it! I am going to have to set my mobile to it so it lets me know when it is on!
There still seems to be some mixed reactions though? Your comments were rather interesting Eithne, I enjoyed reading them. Even though I have not actually managed to watch one ep, I am wondering if they are trying to make a point here? Instead of being all glamour and such forth, here we have a girl who is so plain and far from glamourous, and I wonder if it is a point they are trying to make, that you don't have to be gorgeous or glamourous to get places?
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Post by Lane Kent on Jan 13, 2007 16:34:04 GMT
That is the point of the show and is exactly what they are doing and that I have to say is the one major plus in the series. I give it 10 out of 10 for that and admire them for it. It is probably the reason they are getting all the buzz this year they are getting. Critics have latched onto that angle of the show and are creating a media buzz about it.
The other aspect in its favour is that you could sit your child in front of it and not in the least bit be worried they were going to be corrupted. Americans on their main networks are far more conscious of this sort of thing than we are and have actually a rating system on every programme like we do on Movies.
I think the main problem why it is getting a mixed reaction over here in the UK is because of Channel 4. They are marketing it all wrong. They are marketing it as a Teen/Adult sitcom, trying to recapture the comedy audiences of the 1980s and 1990s they had with such classics as Cheers, Fasier and Friends. Where in reality "Ugly Betty" is a light-hearted dramady aimed at all the family. In the US it airs in the 8pm-9pm timeslot where it is considered children will be watching. You wouldn't get on US main network TV what we get in Emmerdale and Corrie before 9pm, possibly not even before 10pm. Outrageious TV is left for Cable over there.
I think Channel 4 have marketed it all wrong. They should be playing up the angle you don't have to be pretty to succeed as opposed to trying to claim it is something that it isn't.
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Post by eithne on Jan 14, 2007 2:37:44 GMT
It is shown at 7pm over here in Ireland, while the likes of Lost and DH are shown at 10pm. That clearly shows that this is far more innocent than those two. I will stick with the show for a little while longer I think. It could be that it improves later on, and was shaky at the start. I'll let you know what I think of the next two episodes.
Sharon, you should really try to catch it and let us know what you think.
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Post by Lane Kent on Jan 14, 2007 18:56:22 GMT
Yes 9:30pm by Ch4 is giving out the wrong impression.
I will watch episode 3, possibly video it at 9 or 10 on Wed on E4 as I now only have one DH on Wednesdays on E4 I need to watch so can fit in Dead Like Me too when not watching Ugly Betty.
I like Daniel and I'm intrigued by Bradley and will be interested to see after a few more episodes if it follows the same pattern.
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Post by Deborah on Jan 16, 2007 19:45:57 GMT
Ugly Betty was a big winner at last nights Golden Globe awards. They won best show and best actress. The actress (can't think of her name) gave a beautiful acceptance speach and brought tears to a lot of eyes! I'll definitely have to give this show a try. At the end of the season, they go into repeats so I'll wait and start then. |
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Post by SharonHarvey2 on Jan 18, 2007 11:28:22 GMT
I agree with you all there.
Yes, Eithne, I seem to have this habit, of turning on when it's finishing so I am going to catch it next week, and see what it is all about, especially with all the 'discussion' on it.
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Post by Lane Kent on Jan 18, 2007 13:34:07 GMT
Ugly Betty was a big winner at last nights Golden Globe awards. They won best show and best actress. The actress (can't think of her name) gave a beautiful acceptance speach and brought tears to a lot of eyes! I'll definitely have to give this show a try. At the end of the season, they go into repeats so I'll wait and start then. I'm so glad she won. America something she is called. I think she deserved it. I would of chosen her over all the others withot a doubt. Okay I don't know much about Weeds but that actress has already been given the Golden Globe last year. The New Adventures of Old Christine actress has had awards in the past for her part as Elaine in Seinfeld, so she didn't exactly need another award right now. Felicity Huffman may not of got a Golden Globe for DH before, however she has won other awards for DH including an Emmy. And she won a Golden Globe last year for Transamerica. So she has had her work acknowledged. Marcia Cross finally won some kind of award for DH last month, even if it wasn't a major one. However to be honest I think America has to do far more for her role than Marcia Cross does as Bree. Marcia seems a bit of a one trick pony in every part she does. She is good at what she does but Bree doesn't have to diversify. Just grin, say her lines calmly and let the script do the rest. As to the show itself I'm hearing that it gets better as it goes along in the US. There was a debate about it on a US board I'm on and while some were saying they didn't like it, others were saying they were just getting really into it because more were being made of the characters etc. So it might be worth it for thsoe who haven't watched to give it a try and for the rest of us to keep plugging away. It is very easy to follow. |
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