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Ugly Betty

(Rated TV-PG, Comedy, Starring Vanessa Williams, America Ferrera, Eric Mabius, Where to watch: ABC, DVD, Download, Cell phone)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Underdog heroine is a model of charm and appeal.

updated 07.04.08

Why We Rated This on for Ages 13 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Enthusiastic, dedicated, optimistic Betty is a great role model for girls. She embodies the idea that hard work will get you far and proves that determination and skills will eventually pay off. Despite other characters' scheming, in general, deception and greed don't go unnoticed on the show and are rarely rewarded. Betty's co-workers can be very petty and mean to her, but she rises above it all.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Back-biting and scheming, but no violence (except to a stuffed bunny...).
  • Sex:

    Betty's boss, Daniel, is a womanizer who has no qualms about sleeping with his co-workers and getting sexual favors in the office -- but virtually all of his shenanigans are implied rather than shown (some scenes show him in a rumpled bed, another scene implies an indiscretion during work hours, etc.). Some female characters wear tight and/or revealing clothes. One character is transgendered.
  • Language:

    Pretty mild: "Bitch," etc.
  • Consumerism:

    The world of Mode magazine is a very materialistic one, but most brands and designer names are fictional.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Ugly Betty

Parents need to know that this hour-long comedy is set in the competitive, materialistic world of a high-fashion magazine called Mode. Several characters -- most of whom are pretty over-the-top -- consequently exhibit poor values and iffy behavior (scheming, corporate one-upmanship, petty meanness to those who don't fit in, etc.). By comparison, delightful main character Betty stands out like a cheerful, hardworking beacon. Unabashedly proud of her working-class roots and eclectic taste in clothes and accessories, Betty is a great role model for teen girls who worry about fitting in.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about Betty's impressive optimism. How does she stay so positive in such a hostile environment? Besides her outward appearance, what else sets her apart from most of her Mode co-workers? What gave her such a good work ethic? What role does her family play in her life? What makes her a good role model for real girls and young women? How can you deal with tricky work situations (harassment, nasty co-workers) in the real world?
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See all 41 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer
    Age 14
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Great for Middle Schoolers and Older

    Ugly Betty has a great message, with the main character being successful with her brains and personality, not her looks, even though she works at a fashion magazine. I know this show has some iffy material concerning sex, and the way Betty's coworkers treat her. I think we should be able to look past this though, since Betty handles criticism well, and none of the sex is graphic, and a lot of the jokes and sexual material I don't understand as a 14 year old, even though I know that it's there.

  2. Teen Reviewer
    Age 13
    Anonymous
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 3.0

    Okay

    I watch this show but it is only ok.

  3. Teen Reviewer
    Age 13
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 5.0

    great show

    this is a fantastic show with great plots and a great message!

  4. Kid Reviewer
    Age 11
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 1.0

    EWWWWW

    i hate this show.NOBODY should be alowwed to watch this it thatbad of a show

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 3.0

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