The TV Addict 

Did I love last night’s extended commercial for WICKED UGLY BETTY Broadway Adventure? Absolutely. Did it bother me that as a slightly obsessed fan of WICKED, the show tried to pass off LA’s Pantages theatre for New York’s Gershwin? A little bit. Was I mortified by the wicked example Betty and Henry set for theatergoer/cellphone users everywhere? You bet.

But putting aside my Justin level theatre nerd tendencies. Last night’s UGLY BETTY yet again had me laughing out loud thanks to Wili’s attempt to gain 6 pounds [”Find out what Betty is having for lunch and order me two.!”]. Marc’s endless one liners [”Wilhelmina treats all white people like slaves. Something about payback.”] and Daniel’s reaction to when Betty assumes he’s going to ‘off’ Henry [”Why do you always go there with my family?”]

That said, is anyone else thinking Betty and Gio are a far cooler couple than Betty and Henry? I wonder who she’s going to end up taking to Wili’s wedding next week?

This TV Addict’s day just got a whole lot better.

Now I know what you’re thinking. How on earth can a day curled up in bed watching classic episodes of BEVERLY HILLS 90210 thanks to TVTropolis get any better? How about a mention in the LA TIMES!

Allow me to set the scene. After watching Kelly Taylor almost get sucked into a cult eerily similar to the completely legitimate and by no means creepy religion known as Scientology. This TV Addict thought he’d take a few moments to catch up with one of his favorite web sites, The LA TIMES.

Not surprisingly, a feature article on two of the TV Addict’s favorites — UGLY BETTY’S Marc and Amanda caught my attention. So imagine my shock and surprise, when a recent quote from theTVaddict.com was mentioned in the article.

“TheTVAddict.com recently called Marc and Amanda the new Jack and Karen (”Will & Grace”) for the same reason the show’s writers have embraced creating more scenes for the improvisation-inspired actors. They scheme, they lodge zingers and, oh, do they love to gossip.”

Who knew LA Times writer Maria Elena Fernandez had such good taste in television sites? But seriously, its always nice to know people are reading the site. And we sincerely thank Mrs. Fernandez for the shout out.

And just in case BETTY’S Becki Newton and Michael Urie find there way to theTVaddict.com. This TV Addict would like to humbly [very humbly] suggest that he’d make the ideal surprise guest on the UGLY BETTY Podcast.

Photo Credit: Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times

Like virtually every episode of UGLY BETTY, last night’s installment was the perfect Mode Mojito of hilarity, emotion and surprises. With the biggest shocker being that DAWSON’S CREEK James Van Der Beek is still acting! Who knew?

But in all seriousness, UGLY BETTY is perhaps the one series this season that’s completely managed to avoid the dreaded sophomore slump. From its brilliant use of guest stars [Spy Daddy Victor Garber] to its snappy dialogue [”When Fey started puking up her breakfast, she was thrilled. Until she realized she was pregnant!”] UGLY BETTY truly lives up to NBC’s Thursday night slogan ‘Comedy Night Done Right’ [and after last night’s train-wreck episode of THE OFFICE, at least one show should, regardless of network.]

That said, my one issue with the season thus far is Justin. While I recognize the fact that the writers have to find ways in which to integrate him into the story-lines. His lightining fast transformation from straight gay ‘A’ student to basketball playing, beer drinking badass seems a little quick. Outside of an episode or two last season, Justin had virtually zero relationship with his father. Yet now that he’s permanently gone from Justin’s life [ie. dead] we’re supposed to buy the fact that Justin wants to be just like him? He doesn’t really even know what kind of man he was.

In other dead [missing] parent news, Amanda’s search for her biological father continues to produce brilliant results. Willi’s recollection of her swinging Studio 60 days were hilarious as was Amanda’s ‘father collage’ of parent possibilities. While we have a feeling Ted Kennedy, Warren Beatty and Ricardo Montalban won’t be showing up at Mode anytime soon, the guest starring possiblities are endless.

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ABC’s much-hyped premiere week had a whole lot more highs than lows — perhaps due in part to the fact that someone wisely — and not-so-inconspicuously — opted to keep the premiere of CAVEMEN out of the much-hyped period. Sunday night capped the week of debuts with the return of DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES as well as BROTHERS & SISTERS, both of which did pretty much what they do best. (Yes, I’m aware that EXTREME MAKEOVER was back as well, but even a reality-whore such as myself has limits, and that’s a show I’ve just never gotten the appeal of.) HOUSEWIVES avoided what might be called Alfre syndrome by immediately connecting the new kids on the block to our main characters. And how cute is Lyndsy Fonseca (ex-Colleen, THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS) as the girl around whom the new mystery revolves? It seems a little soon to be having Susan be pregnant, and I was a little uncomfortable with how casually the gals reacted to Edie’s attempted suicide. Yes, we know it was fake, but they don’t. Then again, Edie’s always been something of an outsider for the ladies. As for B&S, by the time the Walkers were throwing back shots of tequila, it hit me that if there’s one thing this show isn’t, it’s subtle. Everything is played big… whether its the laughs or the drama. I wanted to feel the families pain as they worried about off-in-Iraq Justin, but Nora’s “I-can’t-leave-the-house-in-case-someone-calls” just felt a little forced to me. Then again, not having a loved one fighting overseas, I could be completely wrong on that one. I do kinda wish the show would be a little less schitzophrenic. By playing every emotion so big, the smaller moments filled with genuine emotion wind up having less impact. In the end, however, I still believe there’s no better way to end the week than by hanging with the Housewives before downing a few with the Walkers.

I’ll admit I was a little worried about my beloved UGLY BETTY. I can’t even say exactly why… perhaps because the freshman season was so brilliant that I feared there was nowhere to go but down. But the premiere put all my fears to rest. Yes, there were a few awkward leaps in logic (were we really to believe that Betty, whose modus operandi is to look out for everyone, wouldn’t warn Henry that he might not be Charlie’s babydaddy?), and it was hard to believe that Justin was so cavalierly bounding about while his mom was upstairs endlessly mourning his dad’s death. But by the time Wilhelmina pulled a switch on Claire and Alexis woke up thinking she was still a he, all was forgiven. My one request is that Tony Plana’s papa Suarez be brought home ASAP, as his balancing presence in the household over which he rules is much missed.

Finally caught the second episode of GOSSIP GIRL last night, and I’m happy to report that the pilot wasn’t a fluke. For those thinking this is simply THE OC transplanted to New York’s Upper East Side, think again. Penn Badgley’s Dan is no Ryan Atwood, and while Blake Lively’s Serena van der Woodsen (God, I love that name!) could probably be mistaken for poor-little-rich-girl Marissa Cooper, where THE OC occasionally tried pretending it was more than it was by infusing itself with a social conscience (albeit a really, really shallow one), GG doesn’t bother. This show is as superficial as it comes, and that’s exactly why it works. Who wouldn’t want to be these rich, pampered little snots? Yes, they’re obnoxious and self-absorbed, but heck, they can afford to be! DIRTY SEXY MONEY wants to be an adult version of this, and just misses the mark by playing every character and situation as larger than life. Where DIRTY asks us to look at the core characters with a sense of superiority as if to say, “there but for millions of dollars go I”, GG knows that the key to a true guilty pleasure is wanting to step into the lives unfolding on screen. We want to protect Jenny, beat up Chuck and push Serena right into the arms of Dan… all while getting invited to those fantastic parties. In other words, GG is the kind of TV that the word “escapism” was invented to describe. It won’t make you smarter, it won’t enrich your life… but man, are you gonna have fun.

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The countdown to fall continues with a first look at the second season of UGLY BETTY. Will BETTY manage to avoid the sophomore jinx that cursed DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES? If this preview is any indication, the answers a resounding YES! Find out for yoruself when the show returns on Thursday September 27 at 8PM.

To help you get through that final grueling hour at the office, we at theTVaddict.com thought we’d offer up some highly-anticipated TV previews. Enjoy, and remember. Keep a spreadsheet a click away just in case your boss walks by!

Dying to see if Mary-Kate Olsen actually has acting chops outside of ten years on FULL HOUSE? Enjoy this first look of some of her work on WEEDS. Oh, and we should mention — enjoy this forty second preview while you can. Having seen the first four episodes of the season, we can assure you, Olsen doesn’t show up. Unless of course she was standing sideways (zing!) [click here]

Sark! Veronica Mars! Greg Grunberg! Could we BE anymore excited for season two of HEROES? Probably not. That said, here’s a sneak peak to help you pass the time. Save The Cheerleader… oh wait, that was last year. [click here]

Remember Betty? The slightly ugly girl with oh so much inner beauty. ABC certainly hope so! But just in case you forgot, check out this new music video featuring MIKA. [click here]

Wait a second, let me get this straight… Marc is gay? Okay, all kidding aside, last night’s episode of UGLY BETTY was one of the season’s strongest and couldn’t have come at a better time.

For as much as I love Marc and his show-stealing exchanges with both Wilhelmina and Amanda. The truth is that as of late, Marc was becoming a crutch, a ‘Gay.P.B’ if you will. A quick joke the writer’s went to whenever they needed to inject some funny into the comedic side of Betty.

Marc works best in small doses. It’s his surprise one-liners and quick wit that was quickly turning him into one of television’s most delicious side dishes and last night’s episode was the perfect example. Especially when he explained to Amanda that his mom was coming into town and she’d no longer need to be his beard.

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First things first — In case you were unaware, ABC switched up its schedule tonight in order to support their surprise hit OCTOBER ROAD. Thus, instead of a painful night of repeats, tonight on ABC we’ll be treated to brand new episodes of UGLY BETTY, GREY’S ANATOMY, and of course, OCTOBER ROAD. In other random news, if you’re interested in seeing a PAM BEESLEY NUDE! (also known as JENNA FISCHER from THE OFFICE) head on over to my friend Kathie at GMMR to check out some very revealing photos. Can’t get enough of nude celebrities? Kathie also has a very revealing shot of VERONICA MARS herself KRISTEN BELL. Do TV Spoilers get your more excited than nude celebs? (if so, you may be a cylon). Well click here to discover the shocking final moments of Sunday’s season finale of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA. Still need more TV scoop? Ausiello has yet another infuriating BLIND ITEM that may spell doom for one of our favourite comedies (SCRUBS, HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, 30 ROCK? Seriously, these Blind Items drive me bonkers!). Hope my incessant use of the words ‘nude’, ‘celebs’ and tv ’scoop’ and ’spoilers’ were enough to peak your interest. Have a great night of TV

“Ugly is the new pretty,” wrote the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, rightfully predicting that viewers and critics alike would fall in love with the charm and humanity of UGLY BETTY. Not surprisingly, the entire cast of UGLY BETTY were just as likable and charming as their on-screen personas. What follows is some of the highlights of theTVaddict’s final Paley Festival event of 2007.

UGLY BETTY came to America via Ben Silverman, then an agent at William Morris. “At the time, I was scanning the globe for different ideas and concepts for television show. An agent friend of mine called me up and told me about a telenovela that was taking Columbia by storm called YO SOY BETTY, LA FEA.” Continues Silverman, “My friend sent me an image of the Columbian actress that played Betty and the ratings information — I immediately said I’m beyond interested. It’s the perfect vehicle for television.”

What follows is the traditional pre-requisite for a Hollywood success story. Showrunner Silvio Horta was just about to give up on Hollywood having recently failed to get his comedy pilot off the ground and deciding to flee to Europe for a vacation. But not before grabbing a script that had been floating around ABC/Touchstone. “I said I’m done with TV, but before I left I took the UGLY BETTTY script. I was in Switzerland when Ben [Silverman] and Teri [Weinberg] called me up to talk about the show.”

His first idea for BETTY came as a surprise to the producers. Explains Horta, “I was on the phone with Ben and Teri and I said I’ve figured it out — I know exactly how to do this — Betty is an FBI agent!” Thankfully for fans everywhere (as much fun as it might have been to watch Betty go Sydney Bristow on Amanda) Horta’s first idea didn’t come to fruition. But luckily, an early idea did get pushed ahead. Bring on Salma Hayek as producer. Right away Salma knew who she wanted for her Betty. As star America Ferrera explains.

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Admittedly, I’m a sucker for a show that takes place in a small town (see: ED, EVERWOOD, WIND AT MY BACK). So it wasn’t much of a surprise that I really enjoyed last night’s premiere of OCTOBER ROAD. My one question: Why is the show called ‘October Road’? Did I miss something? Is the street they lived on named October Road? Somebody help me out here.

Does anyone else think GREY’S ANATOMY is turning a little too much into MELROSE PLACE? First George hooks up with Meredith. Next George gets hitched in Vegas. And now within a mere few months of getting married, George is already cheating on Callis — with his best friend! When did George turn into Amanda Woodward?

Watching last night’s UGLY BETTY all I have to say is two words — ‘the Amanda’. Yes I’m a little biased, having met the cast on Monday, but let’s face it, Amanda can wear anything (including that hat!) and still manage to look incredible.