My night with the "Ugly Betty" gang...
Had a terrific time last night at the Television Academy in North Hollywood where the cast and brains behind "Ugly Betty" all gathered for a lively panel discussion about this wonderful show. It was moderated by Tom Bergeron who came straight from hosting "Dancing With the Stars" and who showed that he is a true fan of the show with his insightful questions and comments.
We found out all kinds of things: the cast is pushing for an all-musical episode (a la "Buffy" and "Scrubs") and creator Marco Pennette said it might happen in season two; the recent episode where Mark (Michael Urie) comes out to his mother (guest star Patti LuPone) was actually Urie and Ferrera's idea; Judith Light and Christopher Gorham were initially guest stars for one or two episodes but connected so well that they are now regular cast members; and that Tony Plana, Betty's illgal immigrant father who is facing deporation, is an immigrant who came to the U.S. at the age of 8. He said one fan of the show actually "offered me his social security number!"
Prior to the panel, I had terrific chats with cast members Eric Mabius, Michael Urie, Christopher Gorham Judith Light, Mark Endelicato that I will share with you - some later today and others in the coming days. But here are some of the highlights from the evening's discussion. Bergeron started things off by asking series star America Ferrera if she was put off by the title "Ugly Betty" or if she was OK as long as it wasn't called "Butt Ugly Betty."
The audience roared.
Said Ferrera: "It's a lot of fun to get into that character and to not have to care about what I'm wearing...if anything goes wrong, it just kind of works better for the scene." The actress also said that because her character is so likeable, "people get very familiar with you and just come up and hug you and say, 'You're Betty!' The best part is when little kids come up to you and say: "Ugly!"
America also told a funny story about meeting with series co-producer and recurring guest star Salma Hayak about taking on the role: "I was staring at her boobs the entire time! [audience laughs]. Salma could sell you a used car. She swore to me...it would be the biggest thing since 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and if I didn't jump on it, it would be the biggest mistake of my life."
America says she hears "from a lot of people who about how much empowerment they to take from this show."
The actress, who won both the Golden Globe and the Screen Actors Guild awards for best actress in a comedy, is happy to see her character involved in a romance with Chris Gorham's character of nerdy Harry.
"She is the romantic heroine and she has her prince. I think after awhile, the whoile "Ugly" title disappears as the writers make you fall in love with these characters. You just love them for who they are."
Said Gorham: "Harry, I feel, was one of the first people at Mode who really saw her as she is - the first moment he saw her, he saw her just like the audience did."
The writers do not want to give away what will happen between Betty and Harry but Gorham did say: "I think it's an exciting development for their relationship...I can't say, but it was fun to shoot!"
Vannesa Williams, who is so delicicious and the comic villian Willemina, said of her role: "A lot of people ask me how I can play such a good bitch. I've been able to play strong women on Broadway - some of them have been witches, some of them divas."
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About Out
in Hollywood
Greg Hernandez authored Out In Hollywood for the Daily News from June 2006 to February 2009. He can now be found at Greg In Hollywood: www.greginhollywood.com
Christopher Gorham plays Henry in the show. It isn't Harry. I'm not sure what show he's on but it's not Ugly Betty. :)
I'm jealous that you were there that night. I would have done...well almost, anything to be there that nght. It sounds like it was an enjoyable night - Lucky You!