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Amazon.co.uk Review
Based on the popular Colombian telenovela Yo Soy Betty La Fea, Ugly Betty is a biting comedy with plenty of heart. There are several ongoing plots, including murder, illegal immigration, infidelity, a vendetta, and death. And yes, this really is a comedy.
Golden Globe winner America Ferrera (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Real Women Have Curves) stars as Betty, a whip-smart assistant at a women's magazine who is clueless when it comes to fashion. While her size 0 colleagues parade around in haute couture and stiletto heels, Betty shows up for work in her mismatched outfits, complete with thick glasses and awkward braces.
The series, which made its debut during the 2006-2007 season on ABC, could've relied on physical humour for laughs. But the sharp writing and likeable cast bring the show to life. There's a lot going on in the first year. Besides setting Betty up as Mode magazine's ugly duckling overachiever, the first few episodes introduce viewers to a superb supporting cast that includes Betty's frenemies Amanda (Becki Newton) and Marc (Michael Urie), the hysterical duo that aligns themselves to whoever can best advance their careers. As for Betty's womanizing boss, Daniel (Eric Mabius), he's not the brightest bulb in the package. Recalling childhood outings with their mother, he says, "She used to like taking us to clothing museums." To which his sibling says, "Those were stores! She just called them museums to get us out of school." Salma Hayek--one of the show's producers--guest stars in an arc as a powerful editor who beds Daniel to prove a point. But it's her unexpected turn as an actress on Ignacio's favorite soap opera that is the real treat.
About halfway through the 23-episode series, it appears that the writers switched gears with one of their main plots revolving around a possibly undead fashion editor. But in a typical over-the-top Ugly Betty way, they make the plot switch work. The heart of the show is when Betty returns home from work. She still lives with her father, Ignacio (Tony Plana), older sister Hilda (Ana Ortiz), and nephew Justin (Mark Indelicato). Justin is one of TV's best kid characters. Not only is he equally adorable and wise, but he is most probably--or will grow up to be--gay. The way his family accepts him for who he is--rather than who they wish he was--is incredibly loving and thoughtful. Betty also is navigating a love life that she makes more complicated than it has to be. Instead of dumping a boyfriend who cheated on her, she allows her sister to manipulate her into staying with him. When she finally realizes she has strong feelings for Henry (Christopher Gorham), the adorable accountant at work who has a huge crush on her, it may be too late. The season finale will leaves viewers with several cliffhangers revolving around Ignacio, Justin's father, and (of course) Betty. For most fans, season 2 can't come fast enough. --Jae-Ha Kim
Synopsis
Audiences are cheering for a vibrant overachiever with the spirit and the smarts to live her dream. America Ferrera stars as go-getter Betty Suarez, a true beauty in the skin-deep world of high fashion. Two very different cultures collide in this sexy and stylish series about believing in yourself regardless of the odds. Earning Golden Globe Awards® for Best Television Series and Best Performance By An Actress In A Television Series in its very first season, Ugly Betty is a runaway hit with fans and critics. Experience every episode of Season One in this box set. Plus, join executive producer Salma Hayek and actor Eric Mabius for exclusive show insights, and see what it takes for America Ferrera to get Bettyfied – available only on DVD. You’ll find yourself falling in love with every minute of Ugly Betty.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The first season of "Ugly Betty" makes for great and very entertaining viewing, and I hugely recommend this boxset.
There are some great, light-hearted comedy moments with the "Ugly Betty" series- although I wouldn't really call it a rolling-on-the-floor-laughing affair- but it's highly entertaining, well written and shot, with loveable characters and great acting.
Set in New York, the story tells of underdog Betty who dreams of being an editor for a magazine. Fresh-faced and excitable, she's given the opportunity to work for one of America's top fashion Magazines 'Mode' and the show follows the toils and troubles of being a slightly overweight, brace-wearing girl working in the glossy world of size-zero models and arrogant men. There are some really great characters in this show- Wilimina Slater is the evil, vindictive, cunning anti-christ of the magazine, with her camp and bitchy side-kick Mark- both of whom are brilliantly portrayed and hilariously written; Betty herself is excellent and her family are brilliant- in particular her nephew Justin is wonderful and some of his performances really do deserve to be award-winning (although more so in later seasons).
There are quite a few moments in this season which brush very closely with the film "The Devil Wears Prada"- not just because the general plot is similar, but also the events which happen within that plot. That's a bit annoying- but I've let that slide.
My only other quarrel with this season is that some of the special effects such as the Brooklyn background are really low quality in this season. According to a documentary on the DVD extras this is because of the low budget issued for the first season; so I guess it's understandable- although it is really noticeable.
As I've said, this isn't the most hilarious comedy ever to hit the screens, but it really is heart-warmingly entertaining and greatly amusing; the characters, acting and direction are all excellent and the show is completely addictive, all resulting in an excellent programme and great boxset.
There are some great, light-hearted comedy moments with the "Ugly Betty" series- although I wouldn't really call it a rolling-on-the-floor-laughing affair- but it's highly entertaining, well written and shot, with loveable characters and great acting.
Set in New York, the story tells of underdog Betty who dreams of being an editor for a magazine. Fresh-faced and excitable, she's given the opportunity to work for one of America's top fashion Magazines 'Mode' and the show follows the toils and troubles of being a slightly overweight, brace-wearing girl working in the glossy world of size-zero models and arrogant men. There are some really great characters in this show- Wilimina Slater is the evil, vindictive, cunning anti-christ of the magazine, with her camp and bitchy side-kick Mark- both of whom are brilliantly portrayed and hilariously written; Betty herself is excellent and her family are brilliant- in particular her nephew Justin is wonderful and some of his performances really do deserve to be award-winning (although more so in later seasons).
There are quite a few moments in this season which brush very closely with the film "The Devil Wears Prada"- not just because the general plot is similar, but also the events which happen within that plot. That's a bit annoying- but I've let that slide.
My only other quarrel with this season is that some of the special effects such as the Brooklyn background are really low quality in this season. According to a documentary on the DVD extras this is because of the low budget issued for the first season; so I guess it's understandable- although it is really noticeable.
As I've said, this isn't the most hilarious comedy ever to hit the screens, but it really is heart-warmingly entertaining and greatly amusing; the characters, acting and direction are all excellent and the show is completely addictive, all resulting in an excellent programme and great boxset.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Average in every sense of the word. It took me over a week to work through this set as it just didn't make me want more due to the mediocre scripting and storylines that kept me interested, but didn't hook me. Ashley Jensen is easily the star of the show, and the high point of the season was Salma Hayek's character (rather than her storyline). Lucy Liu was underuitilised, but I did enjoy Debi Mazar's cameo. Whilst I will pick up the second season eventually to see the follow-on from how season one ended, it's certainly not a priority for me. 3/5
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Bought this for my teenage daughter, who absolutely loves the series. Its a great buy for those mid-teen girls who are looking for something a little more adult, but without being TOO adult!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
ugly betty series 1
This is a great purchase, i love ugly betty series. However some of the disc have scratches on them and jump all throughout the whole of disc 2 and 4!! Read more
Published 2 months ago by katie27109
Bought for a friend
Bought this for a friend who is a massive Ugly Betty fan. She was extremely pleased so it must be good!
Published 9 months ago by Monica
series 1: definitely the best of all the series!!
When I first watched season 1 Ugly Betty on tv I absolutely became the biggest fan...immediately. Throughout the series I loved how it gripped me to become more than just a funny,... Read more
Published 12 months ago by lullabelle19
Excellent Entertainment :)
Brilliant DVD, very entertaining. Lots of laughs and giggles to be had. Even better when having a day in bed with a friend and some junk food :) cheers me up every time!
Published 17 months ago by Christina Webster
Ugly Betty series 2
Orderered item and despatched immediately - good to use amazon as I looked elsewhere and couldn't find it cheaper - I always look here first now. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Caz
Disc Missing
Disk was missing, 2 of the disks were in very poor quality, scratched and skipped alot.
Rather dissapointed, sorry to say.
Rather dissapointed, sorry to say.
Published 22 months ago by Ellie Jade
An beautiful beggening for ugly betty!
When the show first hit our television screens in 2006, I loved it, and still do as a matter of fact. Read more
Published on 14 April 2010 by dylan
What a show!
This is one of those rare shows, that you will fall even more in love with every episode, as the plot thickens the comedy along the way is hilarious, and yet there's a perfect... Read more
Published on 2 April 2010 by Mr. R J C
popular choice
bought this for my Ugly Betty mad 14 year old daughter - she's been watching it ever since
Published on 11 Jan 2010 by Deb
Beautiful in every Ugly way
A FANTASTIC PURCHASE - For any Uglybetty fan - SERIES 1 dvd set is Brilliant.
One of my BEST BUYS!!
One of my BEST BUYS!!
Published on 1 Jan 2010 by R. Higgins
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