Yo Soy Betty, La Fea

Here's a quote from Entertainment Weekly's review of the first season of Ugly Betty on dvd.

"This audacious twist solidifies Betty's status as the gayest show on TV, in both senses of the word: Not only is it steeped in a queer aesthetic, but there's palpable joy behind the sweet silliness of it all."

That's right, one of my favorite shows has been called the "gayest show on tv." As long as Project Runway, America's Next Top Model, What Not to Wear, and Grey's Anatomy are on tv, Ugly Betty will never be close to being the gayest show on tv.

The reason why I started watching this show is because my wife recognized "Dawn" from the British Office as one of the reporters on the fake fashion tv show. Then she recognized "Maggie" from Extras as the seamstress or whatever she is called at Mode magazine. I figured if this show would go to great lengths to poach two great actresses from Ricky Gervais shows, then I better check it out.

At first, I thought to myself "this show is just too gay for me." Betty's nephew is gay, Wilhemina's assistant is gay, and it seemed like gay was everywhere, but after watching a couple of episodes, either I got used to it or they toned it down a bit. I think I have seen every episode now (thanks to summer re-runs) and I can honestly say that it's one of the best shows on tv. Here are the reasons why I like it so much:

1. The interaction between Betty and Daniel. I can't remember what the guy's name is that plays Daniel, but he does a great job as the sex-crazed editor of Mode. The interaction between the two in the episode where Betty gets a makeover from her sister was great.

2. Vanessa Williams and Rebecca Romijn. These two cougars make the show. Vanessa "formerly Rick Fox's wife" plays the evil Wilhemina and Rebecca "formerly married to Uncle Jesse" Stamos plays Daniel Meade's brother who faked his death only to come back as a woman.

3. The fake telenovelas on tv. If any of you have ever seen a telenovela, then you know how cheesy they are. There were certain times in Guate where every person who owned a tv would be watching the same novela. I think the most popular one I saw was "Sonadores." We'd be walking down the street at 7:30 at night and we could hear the same thing coming out of every house we walked by.

I know that most dudes probably aren't dying to tune into a show about an assistant to the editor of a fashion magazine, but it really is one of the best shows on tv. If you saw "Real Women Have Curves" than it might take you a while to get used to seeing America Ferrara not wearing flesh-toned underwear, but just give it a couple of episodes and it will be worth it.