Celebrities

Ugly Betty wraps imminently and thanks to ABC and someone clearly on a diet of meth and coke from it’s scheduling department, the ratings for the show have looked less than pretty for the past season or so. However, after the amazing penultimate episode, I’ve decided to list the top 5 reasons why the most under-rated network comedy of all time should be watched by all tomorrow night.

1. Because it’s intelligent

I think when people think of the show, they think of superficial comedy about silly things and extroverted gays. This show is not Will & Grace. It’s far smarter. Here is a show that has had sharper spitfire dialogue than anything on television – right up there with 30 Rock, and unlike the amazing 30Rock this show has a layer of incredibly well written and compelling character drama.

Ugly Betty is clever because it can jump from silly and over the top soap opera nonsense to sensitive and intimate moments with characters that strike chords directly at the heart of the viewer without ever feeling false or manipulative. For such an exaggerated comedy/drama, that is very rare to achieve.

2. Because it’s funny

Sharp as nails. Marc and Amanda particularly serve as great comedy fodder, and the joke hit ratio is exceptionally high, again a reflection of the strong writing involved with the show. The cast all have huge natural comedic talent, and they develop a rapport over the years that is clear to see onscreen and only adds to the already high comedy value.

3. Because it has a huge heart.

The best thing about Ugly Betty i’d argue is that it actually has a heart. The morality story might seem on the surface about appearance, Betty becomes prettier as the years go on, but actually, that growth is not from ugly to pretty, its from awkward and doe-eyed to mature and assured.

The great thing is that the writers have been careful to ensure that the transition has been backed up with the emphasis that whilst Betty has indeed inevitably changed and grown, she’s still a good person inside. There’s some positivity in the message that you can be intelligent and successful as well as genuinely nice. The way that Justin’s sexuality story has been handled is also super-touching, and the romance in the lives of all those around Betty as well play nicely off of her own romantic woes.

4. Because you care about the characters

This is definitely a show people can find a vantage point in somewhere, but Betty particularly represents a  portion of people at some stage in their lives. Not everyone waltzes into work in their early 20′s as a polished professional, most of us have to learn from our mistakes, struggle through the trials and tribulations of love, life and everything else. If anything, Betty represents the everywoman’s Carrie Bradshow, but here’s a girl that both sexes can relate to, because whilst Carries problems are aspirational, Betty’s problems are real.

Even the ridiculous Willy Slater has shown such sensitivity in various episodes that you truly root for her as a character. The best shows never have clear cut villains, and in Ugly Betty you love the villains as much as the heroes.

5. Because it’s gripping.

The over the top telenova style drama is amazing. It can sometimes be a little distracting, but with the last cliffhanger and the constant rotation of mystery wrapped around Betty’s everyday events, this is a show that you can really be on the edge of your seat for. And who’ll make it to the end?

Guess you’ll just have to tune in.

Betty may not have ever been the coolest show to watch, and aside from it’s first season, it’s never had a great deal of ‘buzz’ around it, But buzz just reflects a networks investment in pushing a show, and unfortunately Betty in latter years didn’t get the push she deserved. Make no mistake, this is an absolute gem of a show and you’d be a fool to miss it’s final bow.