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Season 1 – Ugly Betty

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Ugly Betty Sep 2006 Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
94% Tomatometer 17 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
The series focuses on the life of wannabe writer Betty Suarez, a plain girl from Queens, N.Y., who is smart, hardworking and savvy but has a different sense of style. When publishing mogul Bradford Meade puts his son Daniel in charge of his Mode magazine, he hires Betty to be Daniel's new assistant -- mostly because he knows that she may be the only woman in Manhattan with whom the younger man won't sleep.
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Ugly Betty — Season 1

Ugly Betty — Season 1

What to Know

Critics Consensus

America Ferrera is a revelation as Ugly Betty, although the show itself tends toward the twee and gently ridiculous.

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Critics Reviews

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Heather Havrilesky Salon.com 07/03/2019
Without so much visual flair and such a rapid-fire pace, Ugly Betty wouldn't hold our attention as well. But these elements, along with a talented cast... make this a show well worth watching, and this week's premiere doesn't disappoint. Go to Full Review Troy Patterson Slate 11/17/2018
Ugly Betty is light and bold-Dynasty crossed with an after-school special, maybe, or TheDevil Wears Prada liberated from its heavier pretensions. Go to Full Review Caroline Westbrook Empire Magazine 10/18/2017
4/5
There's a lot more to Ugly Betty than meets the eye. Go to Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand 08/19/2023
... plays like a serialized version of 'The Devil Wears Prada' with a goofball twist. It’s pure, catty soap opera with a wink and a nod, full of madcap plot twists (blackmail, murder, a sex-change operation, a prison break) and colorful characters... Go to Full Review Lucy Maher Common Sense Media 11/17/2018
4/5
Betty is clearly the most admirable character on the show, and her positive qualities just make the other characters' failings more obvious -- even to younger teens. Bottom line? Ugly Betty is a must-see. Go to Full Review Seth Freilich Pajiba 05/31/2018
It's campy and cheesy, but all in the name of having fun with itself. And when a show has that kind of sense of humor about itself and doesn't take itself too seriously, well, it's easy to join along for the ride. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jason D @Jyrow 08/13/2024 Great show. It’s honest, endearing, entertaining, great writing, and the cast and acting is phenomenal. Wish they make more shows like this now. Or even better bring back a reboot of Ugly Betty. A few tweaks here and there and I think it could be made for the more modern age. America, Fira, Vanessa Williams and others are absolutely fantastic in the show. See more susan m @Sem42 01/27/2022 Great show with clever, funny dialogue, great plot lines and excellent acting. `The main 6 or so characters are all compelling, Betty, her sister Hilda, Wilmamina Slater, Daniel, Amanda and Marc - these are my favorites. I never heard of this show and just found it on Disney +. So glad I tried it out!! Highly recommended. See more 04/07/2019 Why didn't I discover this before and not from my mom? See more 07/08/2017 The show is pretty good except for Betty and her sister. No one ever talks about how rude that he is in every single episode just stuck up. See more Read all reviews
Ugly Betty — Season 1

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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America Ferrera

Betty Suarez

Eric Mabius

Daniel Meade

Alan Dale

Bradford Meade

Tony Plana

Ignacio Suarez

Ana Ortiz

Hilda Suarez

Ashley Jensen

Christina McKinney

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 28, 2006 Pilot A plain young woman becomes an executive assistant in the world of high fashion. Details Episode 2 Aired Oct 5, 2006 The Box and the Bunny Betty loses a proof of the entire magazine, including photos of an actress (Sarah Jones) that would create embarrassment for the magazine if they get out. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 12, 2006 Queens for a Day Betty lures a famous photographer (Rhys Coiro) to shoot for the magazine. Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 19, 2006 Fey's Sleigh Ride Betty, Marc and Amanda fear they have inadvertently leaked the secret of Mode's big Christmas photo-shoot. Details Episode 5 Aired Oct 26, 2006 The Lyin', the Watch and the Wardrobe Betty has a series of frightful experiences on Halloween, including dealing with her growing attraction to Henry (Christopher Gorham); Daniel visits his mom (Judith Light) in rehab. Details Episode 6 Aired Nov 2, 2006 Trust, Lust and Must Sofia Reyes (Salma Hayek), new to Mode, leaves a lasting impression on Daniel and Betty. Details Episode 7 Aired Nov 9, 2006 After Hours Assigned to review a posh new hotel, Betty takes a break from her family troubles; Daniel is dismayed when Sofia Reyes (Salma Hayek) and her team take up residence in the Mode conference room. Details Episode 8 Aired Nov 16, 2006 Four Thanksgivings and a Funeral Daniel attends his parents brunch in hope of seeing Sofia (Salma Hayek); Wilhelmina tries something she has never before attempted, cooking a turkey. Details Episode 9 Aired Nov 23, 2006 Lose the Boss? Betty struggles to put together a last-minute Mode photo shoot with a famous couple and their baby the day after Thanksgiving; dejected Daniel recuperates from a hangover at the Suarez house. Details Episode 10 Aired Nov 30, 2006 Fake Plastic Snow Betty questions her relationship with Walter and her feelings for Henry; Daniel is certain of his love for Sofia (Salma Hayek); Amanda makes a play to get Betty's job. Details Episode 11 Aired Jan 4, 2007 Swag The assistants whip themselves into a frenzy over who will get the swag when Christine announces she is going to clean out the magazine's closet. Details Episode 12 Aired Jan 11, 2007 Sofia's Choice Betty discovers evidence that casts doubt on Sofia's intentions; seeing a kinder, gentler Wilhelmina shocks Mode staffers; Ignacio finds it difficult to bond with his immigration caseworker. Details Episode 13 Aired Jan 18, 2007 In or Out Betty determines to get Daniel back to work and over his sadness by setting him up on a date with a supermodel; Wilhelmina decides who will continue working at Mode. Details Episode 14 Aired Feb 1, 2007 I'm Coming Out Betty hustles to ensure Mode's runway show goes off without a hitch during New York's Fashion Week; Christina prepares for the debut of her own designs; a shocking revelation abruptly halts Mode's show. Details Episode 15 Aired Feb 8, 2007 Brothers The masked woman's shocking announcement leaves Mode in chaos and the Meades at odds. Details Episode 16 Aired Feb 15, 2007 Derailed Daniel reconnects with a woman he once stood up for a date in college (Lucy Liu), who is now a powerful attorney; Betty befriends a likable out-of-towner (Jayma Mays) she meets in the cafeteria. Details Episode 17 Aired Mar 15, 2007 Icing on the Cake Betty impulsively invites her orthodontist to be her date for Charlie's birthday party; Wilhelmina tries to come between Daniel and Alexis; a very unusual designer declares that Amanda is his muse. Details Episode 18 Aired Mar 22, 2007 Don't Ask, Don't Tell When his suspicious mom (Patti LuPone) arrives in town, Marc convinces Betty to pretend to be his girlfriend; Daniel and Alexis struggle to work together. Details Episode 19 Aired Apr 19, 2007 Punch Out Daniel reverts to his old hard-partying ways; a tell-all writer (Leslie Jordan) with Fey Sommers' diaries starts stalking the Meades. Details Episode 20 Aired Apr 26, 2007 Petra-Gate Betty tries to avoid Daniel, Christina and Henry; Alexis gets asked out on her first date as a woman; Amanda begins a flirtation with a designer (Mykel Shannon Jenkins) whom she assumes is gay. Details Episode 21 Aired May 3, 2007 Secretaries Day Betty looks for ways to come up with extra money to solve a family dilemma while trying to plan the magazine's big assistants-week bash at a medieval-themed restaurant. Details Episode 22 Aired May 10, 2007 A Tree Grows in Guadalajara Betty and her family go to Guadalajara to solve Ignacio's immigration problems; Betty questions her aunt (Rita Moreno) and cousin about her late mother; Jordan (Rebecca Gayheart) visits Alexis. Details Episode 23 Aired May 17, 2007 East Side Story Betty's romance with Henry heats up; Wilhelmina's power play moves forward; old ghosts create new problems for the Suarez family. Details

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Ugly Betty — Season 1

Ugly Betty Ugly Betty Ugly Betty View more photos

Season Info

Director
James Hayman, Lev Spiro, Tricia Brock, Miguel Arteta, Wendey Stanzler, Richard Shepard
Executive Producer
Silvio Horta, Ben Silverman, Salma Hayek, Jose Tamez
Screenwriter
Silvio Horta, James D. Parriott, Dailyn Rodriguez, Sheila R. Lawrence, Veronica Becker, Cameron Litvack, Oliver Goldstick, Marco Pennette, Sarah Kucserka, Harry Werksman
Network
ABC
Rating
TV-14
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Sep 28, 2006