 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Ugly Betty
- ABC, Syndicated
- Genre: Comedy
Common Sense Media says
Underdog heroine is a model of charm and appeal.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
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.
What's the story?
Executive produced by Salma Hayek and based on the wildly popular Colombian telenovela Yo Soy Betty La Fea, UGLY BETTY stars America Ferrera as optimistic, focused Betty Suarez. Betty -- who wants to be a serious journalist -- accepts a job assisting Mode magazine's playboy editor-in-chief Daniel Meade (Eric Mabius). At first, Daniel does everything he can to make her life miserable, but he quickly realizes that he can't run the magazine without her, and the incongruous pair become a team. Furious about being passed over for the editor-in-chief job, creative director Wilhelmina Slater (Vanessa Williams) will do anything to bring Daniel -- and, by extension, Betty -- down. In her ring are toadying assistant Marc (Michael Urie) and evil receptionist Amanda (Becki Newton), who's sleeping with Daniel and wants Betty's job. Rounding out the cast are Christina (Ashley Jensen), the on-site seamstress who shows Betty the ropes and acts as her confidant and guardian angel; Hilda (Ana Ortiz), Betty's outspoken older sister; and Justin (Mark Indelicato), Betty's hilariously fashion-obsessed nephew.
Is it any good?
Coming to TV on the heels of The Devil Wears Prada, Ugly Betty is wildly fun fare that takes the Prada premise and ups the ante -- unlike Anne Hathaway's Andy, Betty never bows to the pressure to turn herself into one of the skeletal, glam automatons who sashay through Mode's hallways. The show's writing and acting are both top-notch, and there are giggles to be found at every turn. In one scene, for example, Betty admires a model's beautiful Dolce & Gabbana poncho and chummily tells the woman that her father bought her a similar one in Guadalajara ... only to show up the next day proudly wearing a gaudy, blanket-like garment that has "souvenir" written all over it.
Ugly Betty has enough ongoing drama to satisfy older viewers, but, unlike other soapy shows, it spends an equal amount of time on "everyday" storylines like Betty's heartwarming relationship with her father. Although the show has a few risqué scenes that might raise parental eyebrows, including one in which Daniel's receptionist is caught under his desk (presumably pleasuring him), Ferrara's stellar performance outweighs them. 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.
What 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?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Parents of teens, be on your guard!
Seven episodes in, I'm starting to get disgusted. It seems like in every movie, and TV show there has to be sex, sex, sex! Why?! Even sweet Betty can't make up for the twisted sheets or the office humor make up for the occasional language and drinking. I wish this show could have come up with a few more characters who don't drink, swear, sleep around, and can be good role models for the teenagers who watch this show. Betty is sweet, hard working, and empathetic, but she needs to dump her boyfriend. Her father and nephew are okay, but the rest of the characters have certain aspects that disgust me.
It is mostly because of the sex, drinking, language, and bad role models that I make this show an iffy +14; otherwise, it is a mildly good office drama that makes a lot of fun of the fashion world.
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AGE
I loved this show! I was soo sad when ABC ended it! You know that it's fashion, so a lot of phrases including "b****" and of course some sexy fashions.
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A PG-13 kinda TV show, but if you're a mature 12-year old, it works
Ugly Betty is an absolute favorite show of mine! Again, there isn't too too much "office humor" and the relationships between Betty and all the other characters can be hysterical. Like what some people have said, it's kinda true that every episode is different, but does stay on track with what was happening in the previous episodes. Betty is a really strong young woman and has a great, positive attitude most of the times. She always seems to be putting herself into the most impossible situations, makes you just wonder . . . when does she just stop! There is some slight language in Ugly Betty and also parts were it mentions sexual behavior and sometimes shows it.
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AGE
Ugly Betty
I saw a few episodes of this show and I'm not pleased. Although Betty is trying to set a good example, there is too much sexual content and themes that are not appropriate for kids under 14-15. The language is another problem. Wake up people, I don't care if it seems the norm it's disrespectful. Yes it's the fashion industry but its also materialistic. I feel it sets the wrong values for kids and would not recommend it for kids under 14-15.
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teens, tweens, and young adults
I absolutely love this show!
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AGE
A great tv show!
I love Ugly Betty! Every episode is different, Betty is a strong woman with a positive attitude. There isn't that much bad language, b----,a--,crap, and many other mild swears. Some characters have questionable motives, and will do anything to get what they want. I recommend it for mature teens 12 and older, because of some language or some episode plots. But other than that, Ugly Betty is a fun tv show about a New York Fashion magazine.
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AGE
Good show
Some things in the show aren't that good for kids under the age of 11 cuz in an episode Wilimina steals sperm and it also talks about who slept with who .So I wouldn't suggest letting younger kids watch this show.Betty is a great role model for kids though . Even though others are mean to her she still helps her enimies out if they are in trouble cuz her heart is so big.
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| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Networks: | ABC, Syndicated |
| Cast: | America Ferrera, Eric Mabius, Vanessa Williams |
| Genre: | Comedy |
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