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Ugly Betty Rundown: Episode 18, "Jump"

BuzzSugar — Fri, 23 May 2008 11:43:55 -0700

The title of the Ugly Betty finale is also the title of one of my favorite Madonna songs (not on her new album, FYI), and it was used to close the episode. It's a fitting tune for this episode, since a lot of the characters were forced to take a proverbial leap of some sort last night — especially Betty.

If the Gossip Girl finale revealed too much, Ugly Betty left us with a considerable cliffhanger which actually surprised me! Overall I thought the show was really cute, as usual, and I'm sad to see it go. To check out the rest of my thoughts on last night,

Ugly Betty Rundown: Episode 17, "The Kids Are Alright"

BuzzSugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 14:32:32 -0700

Look out, world (or just Mode) — Wilhelmina is back! Her Evilness and Marc made a triumphant return to power on this week's Ugly Betty after the revelation that she is the mother of an unborn Meade family heir. Again, this entire plot line is so hilariously far-fetched (and just not logical!) that it's always funny to me when they try to explain it to us.

In other news, Betty awakes to the lonely person ballad "All By Myself" as she tries to get over Henry (who we learn is back in Tucson) but she finds herself drawn to Gio and his sandwich shop. She also — surprise! — deals with her pain by immersing herself in work.

Here are some more thoughts:

I know I have a tendency to gush over Marc and Amanda but there was just so few of them when the season started up again. And come on, how great were they last night together? Their little BFF moments are so tender, yet they are both superficial and mean — it's a mix I can't get enough of!
Hilda's break-up advice to Betty was perfect: "When I break up with a guy I like to get a little scary so he never forgets me."
Best descriptions of Wilhelmina first came from Marc: "You are a horror movie I wish would never end." And then Daniel: "She is one third of this company and she has the Devil on her side!"

To read the rest of my thoughts and start chatting about the cuteness that is Gio,

Ugly Betty Rundown: Episode 16, "Betty's Baby Bump"

BuzzSugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:30:44 -0700

Thanks to the power of wishful thinking, we all got a little bit more of what we wanted last night on Ugly Betty: Amanda and Marc. Both of them had about a gazillion one-liners and fun moments, making the episode all the more enjoyable.

When I asked yesterday which guy Betty should be with (Gio, Henry, or neither), Gio won by a landslide — and I was feeling that way, too. But! Last night was all about Henry, and even though the episode ended with some hints that he and Betty are headed for Splitsville, I was reminded of the chemistry they share. Also, who was salivating for some Ignacio Suarez cooking by the end? Must . . . eat . . . tamales . . .

Here are some more of my thoughts:

The show opened with Betty and Henry sharing a romantic dinner to a New Kids on the Block slow jam, "I'll be Loving You Forever" — loved it.
And of course Charlie interrupted them, saying she was tired and noting, "Well, my arms are so bloated from caring your child, so . . . " So evil.
Marc's tie-on-bare-neck look last night (pictured above) was so funny to me. I kept thinking, "But you're wearing a shirt that the tie could go over!" I love that he and Wilhelmina are planning a big media roll-out of their Meade baby that includes a stop on The View, which they never could have done if "potty mouth Rosie was still around."

OK, now for the serious stuff. For more of my thoughts,

Ugly Betty Rundown: Episode 15, "Burning Questions"

BuzzSugar — Fri, 02 May 2008 15:30:33 -0700

Last week they laid the groundwork to facilitate a psychotic meltdown for Renee on Ugly Betty, and this week the show really delivered. But by the end, I just felt sorry for the poor girl (and thought she looked really smoking hot in her lavender dress). Meanwhile, the Henry-Betty-Gio triangle came to a bit of a head via a physical confrontation with the boys and a near-death experience for Betty — but ugh, I think she's leaning toward Henry again. He's so weak-kneed about this whole pregnancy thing and he's leaving, so I'm at a total loss as to why we should want to see him and Betty together.

The best part about last night? As expected, Christian Siriano. His moment was brief, but it was hilarious how well he fit in on a campy, over-the-top comedy about fashion. Here are more of my thoughts:

I now know that I view Daniel through Betty's eyes. He's far more older brother to me rather than crush material which is why I, like Betty, made an "ew ew!" sound when he was talking panties with Renee.
Funny moment with Hilda when she tried to get Betty to open up to her about boy trouble. "Tell Mama Hilda everything." I want my own Mama Hilda so bad!

For more of my thoughts on last night's Betty,

Ugly Betty Rundown: Episode 14, "Twenty-Four Candles"

BuzzSugar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:30:52 -0700

It may come last in my list of rundowns today, but Ugly Betty came first in my marathon of TV viewing list on Thursday. What better way to kick off the evening than with that eternally upbeat go-getter Betty Suárez? Hopefully you were able to refresh your Betty memory before last night. It was pretty easy to pick up from where the show left off, and I thought the opening dream sequence (something in the writers' water? Gossip Girl opened the same way this week) was adorable and fun. Here are my thoughts:

Amanda didn't have a lot going on this episode, but she was still funny reveling in her Gene-Simmons'-daughter-dom by hilariously dressing like a rabid Kiss fan, wagging her tongue, and uttering little "hardcore" lines like this one to Gio when he asked if she gave Betty a message: "I’m a receiver, not a giver."
Back to Betty's birthday dream: For some reason, when Henry showed up with a horse carriage and Betty asked him where they were, his answer made me laugh and reminded me of something people said in my dreams when I was 12 years old: "We're in the best place ever!"

For more of my thoughts on last night's Betty,

Ugly Betty Rundown: Episode 13, "A Thousand Words By Friday"

Molly — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 14:30:20 -0800

As we say goodbye to Ugly Betty until the writers' strike is negotiated and over (hopefully soon!), I can't help but wonder why it is that the character of Betty herself has bugged me so much this season. Is she actually different, more self-righteous, less fun than season one? Or is it all in my head? I suppose I've got some time to reflect on that now. Last night's episode, which was the final one we'll have for a while, had some classic moments (hellooooo anytime Amanda sings) and some frustrating ones, but I had to love that the whole thing was basically a spoof of Neil Strauss' pick-up guide, The Game. Heard of it? It spawned that VH1 show, The Pick-Up Artist, and, apparently, this episode of Betty. Here are my thoughts:

Amanda should sing every episode, even just a little something. Her brainstorming session with Marc trying to come up with the ditty she would sing to capture Gene Simmons' attention was so fun and hilarious, not to mention her final product. It made me love Becki Newton even more than I already do.
Best interaction of the episode, between Wilhelmina and Christina: "Are you trying to hug me?" "I'm as surprised as you are . . . Thank god that passed."

For more thoughts on our last Betty for a while (sob), just

Ugly Betty Rundown: Episode 12, "Odor in the Court"

Molly — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 13:30:37 -0800

The best part of this week's new episode of Ugly Betty — you know, other than the fact that there was a new episode at all (and one more next week) — was all the Amanda. She's spectacular when she's evil and she's awesome when she momentarily has a conscience. I heart her the most. Betty was annoying, but I'll give her a bye this week since that was pretty much the plot of the episode. My thoughts:

This week Henry shipped off to Tucson for his baby's sonogram, leaving Betty pretending not to be nervous about it. Who was there to step right in to fill the void? Why Gio, of course, and his delicious sandwiches. They taste like purple.
Best Marc line of the episode, when Willi was trying to convince Christina to carry her mysterious baby by talking about her hostile womb: "It's tragic. Bono and Sheryl
Crow should do a benefit for her lady parts." Sometimes I forget that Wilhelmina is a mom in the first place.
And can I just say phew that the Fey Sommers murder mystery is finally solved? Phew.

To read the rest of my thoughts and mourn there only being one more episode before the strike hiatus just

Ugly Betty Rundown: Episode 11, "Zero Worship"

Molly — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 15:43:59 -0800

After a little more than a month off, Ugly Betty was back last night with an extra sugar-coated dose of sweetness. The actual Betty plotline was a bit too smarmy for my taste, but at least Marc and Amanda were there to balance it out. Plus, it looks like Christina is about to come to the forefront of one of the most important story lines of the season. Lucky for us, this is one of the few shows with a couple more episodes left before the involuntary writers' strike hiatus. So let's get to chatting about the episode:

Amanda's search for her father amongst a wall of famous faces continues on, but this time Marc was there to help . . . with a crazy psychic lady who mostly talked nonsense. Of course, Amanda found a way to make her prophecy come true, even if it involved Lil Bow Wow.
Speaking of which, most random cameo ever? And he was kind of in love with Betty? Um, okay!

Don't want to get too spoiler-y before the jump, so to read the rest of my thoughts just

Ugly Betty Rundown: Episode 9, "Giving Up The Ghost"

Molly — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 15:00:00 -0800

I'm not exactly sure why there was a new episode of Ugly Betty on Thanksgiving night, but it happened and so here we are. I guess maybe they thought after last week's shocking death we just couldn't wait for two weeks to see what Wilhelmina was scheming. Overall, the episode was good, sweet, and marked the dawning of a new era at Mode. Here are my thoughts:

So I was totally wrong about what Willie was doing in the morgue at the end of last episode, but that mystery was totally not solved yet. What was she doing there?
I loved Marc trying to start whispers at Bradford's funeral. "What is she doing here? Who is she wearing? I can't believe she came!"
As usual Marc and Amanda were the best part, though what will happen now that they don't work together? Heartbreaking split!
Betty was still a little annoying, but thankfully less so than she has been for much of the season. There is never enough Christina

To read the rest of my thoughts just

Ugly Betty Rundown: Episode 8, "I See Me, I.C.U."

Molly — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 16:13:26 -0800

This week's Ugly Betty was pretty touching, as they go, but it also had a few of my favorite one liners of the season. Plus, some of them were from Henry! He may turn me into a convert yet. "Where have you been all my life?" "Math Camp." Ah, awesome. Here are my thoughts:

After last week's dramatic cliffhanger, this episode started with a whimper. Bradford was already in the hospital, in a coma. Betty showed up at the hospital, but was quickly defeated when Daniel reiterated that he fired her so she went to clean out her desk.... really, already? Shouldn't she stay around just in case she could help him out in any way?
As Bradford was on his maybe death bed (with Alexis telling him to "go towards the light" and Daniel telling him to "stay away from the light") the attention obviously shifted to the will. What would a primetime soap death be without will drama?
"Why is it always sadder when tragedy strikes hot people?" I love Amanda.

To see the rest of my thoughts (and favorite lines) and read about the dramatic final moments (duh duh duh) just

Ugly Betty Rundown: Episode 7, "Nice Day for a Posh Wedding"

Molly — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 13:28:27 -0800

Last night's Ugly Betty was a bit frustrating for me. I spent most of the episode literally yelling at Betty through my TV (I swear, she totally heard me), but it also had huge awww moments...and the funniest 20 seconds I've seen on TV in a while. The clip of that is after the jump (hint: it involved milkshakes). So Betty herself continues to bug me, but everyone else is great! Here are my thoughts:

There was so not enough Victoria Beckham considering how much she was hyped. That being said, why don't the Beckhams have an energy drink — it seems too fitting. "Beckhammmmm." Also, Posh would so actually wear her maid of honor dress out the night before the wedding if it was chic enough. Ha.
The Christina and her husband plot was sweet, and I'm glad we finally got to meet him. It was pretty heartbreaking, too. He's good Stuart, after all.

Okay, now it's time for spoilers. To read the rest of my thoughts (and my take on the shocking cliffhanger that was totally given away in the previews) just

Ugly Betty Rundown: Episode 6, "Something Wicked This Way Comes"

Molly — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 15:38:23 -0700

If you even channel surfed through ABC this week, you were made aware that Ugly Betty was going to Broadway. Instead of just doing a musical episode, as Buzz pointed out they should totally get it over with and do, the show centered around Betty and Henry trying to go on a date to see Wicked, intertwining songs from the actual Broadway show into the episode.

It succeeded in making me want to go see Wicked, but unfortunately it didn't change my mind about Betty's plot being my least favorite part of this season. I'm not totally heartless — the end was touching and sweet, but I was sad some of the other stories were sidelined. So I don't get too spoiler-y, you can check out the rest of my thoughts after the jump. Just

Ugly Betty Rundown: Episode 5, "A League of Their Own"

Molly — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 16:16:13 -0700

How much did I love this week's episode of Ugly Betty? So, so much! What can I say, give Mark a completely endearing romantic interest and I'm sold. The only person whose story is bugging me is Betty herself, but thankfully the rest of it totally makes up for her and Henry being blah. Also, it is just me or is Rebecca Romijn totally carrying this season? Love it. Here are my thoughts:

How is Daniel completely unable to realize what is going on with Mode? Is he more inept than ever? Shouldn't Betty be seeing right though Willie's plot for Meade Publication domination? Or is she keeping quiet because of their rooftop deal? How many episodes before all the truth is uncovered....November sweeps is right around the corner.
Hilda and her cemetery friends were sad/cute. While it's not the most uplifting crown to hang out with (you know, 5 PM bedtime and dentures), at least she can talk about Santos. Hot, hot Santos.

To read the rest of my thoughts and see me gush more about Mark/Cliff just

Ugly Betty Rundown: Episode 4, "Grin and Bear It"

Molly — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 13:45:19 -0700

Let's get right to it: last night's Ugly Betty was a blast! That was mostly thanks to Rebecca Romijn who killed it as Alexis figuring out how to put on make up/dress/act/go to the correct bathroom as a woman. I guess then maybe she was in character when she was walking into Letterman yesterday? Ha. On the other hand, Betty herself was disappointing. It was just hard to believe that she would ever, ever do something like that. Okay, no spoilers just yet. Here are my thoughts on the episode:

Back to Alexis for a second. I love that she thought that she had to use up all the make-up in the containers to get herself ready for the day...and that she didn't wear a bra. Great Amanda line: "Friends don't let friends wear glitter before noon." Such the thing a guy would do in that situation. She and Daniel are so cute as brother/sister these days.
Laugh out loud moment when Alexis has this recommendation for Mode cover girl: "She's big! She's sexy! She's outrageous! Anna Nicole Smith!" Insert awkward silence here.
I've been looking forward to James van der Beek's guest starring stint since I heard about it over the summer. I just wish there was going to be more of him. Bring back Dawson!

To read the rest of my thoughts just

"Ugly Betty" Rundown: Episode 2, "Family Affair"

Molly — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 14:27:32 -0700

After last week's end-of-episode emotional wallop, "Ugly Betty" returned to mostly light-hearted fare this week. While I did enjoy it thoroughly, I felt like it was missing something. Maybe there just wasn't enough Daniel, but luckily Wilhelmina was sassy and catty and awesome enough to carry the show.

Can I just say that I love everything about the Justin/Marc banter. Everything, from the bendy straws to the rice cakes to the best line of the episode, when Marc tried to comfort Justin about his father. "I just made a little person feel better about his day. I'm a good person. No, I'm a great person." Ha.
While I'm happy to see Hilda feeling better, I'm not happy to have back her overdone hair, makeup, and wardrobe. Ah, but then I guess she just wouldn't be herself without it.

To read what else I thought and my big worry about next week just

"Ugly Betty" Rundown: Episode 1, "How Betty Got Her Grieve Back"

Molly — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 12:29:06 -0700

Of all of last night's season premieres, I didn't think it would be "Ugly Betty" to make me cry. I thought "Grey's" would, because that's what "Grey's" does. I even thought "The Office" might, out of sheer frustration for continuing to not deal with story lines (but — yay on that front). But, no, it was "Betty." To be fair, it made me laugh hard and smile a lot, but in the final minutes...tears.

At the risk of being too spoiler-y for those of you saving it for the weekend, the rest of my thoughts are after the jump. So, just

"Ugly Betty" Recap: Episode 23, "East Side Story"

BuzzSugar — Fri, 18 May 2007 12:42:14 -0700

If you're looking for big laughs in the Season Finale of "Ugly Betty" you'll have to look somewhere else. This episode was a downer. Love is lost, hearts are broken, one or more characters may be dead! I was hoping the show would end on a wild and wacky note but no such luck. Guess all of that bad blood floating around Mode has to manifest itself somewhere!

To get the lowdown — caution, spoilers ahead —

"Ugly Betty" Recap: Episode 22, "A Tree Grows in Guadalajara"

BuzzSugar — Fri, 11 May 2007 13:12:03 -0700

In the penultimate "Ugly Betty" episode of the season, Betty gets a magical twist as she explores her roots in Mexico. Back at Mode, Daniel experiences a little magic of his own with Alexis' ex-girlfriend (and those pills he got from Tyler). Meanwhile, Alexis is pretty fed-up with both of the men in her family and makes plans to do away with one of them!

To get the lowdown — caution, spoilers ahead —

"Ugly Betty" Recap: Episode 21, "Secretaries Day"

BuzzSugar — Fri, 04 May 2007 14:15:36 -0700

In this week's episode of "Ugly Betty," the relationships between Alexis and Bradford and Wilhelmina and Claire turn even uglier. Meanwhile, Betty gets to play not-so-pretty princess with Henry, who doesn't exactly turn out to be her knight in shining armor. Daniel seems to have a real problem on his hands as well, which Betty tries to help him with as much as she can — but how much can you really do about your boss' sex addiction? Still, he seems to be pretty appreciative of his administrative professional.

To get the lowdown — caution, spoilers ahead —

"Ugly Betty" Recap: Episode 20, "Petra-gate"

BuzzSugar — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 12:40:21 -0700

In this week's "Ugly Betty," Betty examines her friendships, while her sister Hilda examines the relationship she has with Justin's dad, Santos. At Mode Magazine there are the same old fights over who should be in charge, and Amanda takes a shine to a new fashion designer who shows promise — in more ways than one. Yet at the last minute, when everything looks all wrapped up, Betty hears some troubling news.

To read more of the recap — caution, spoilers ahead —

"Ugly Betty" Recap: Episode 19, "Punch Out"

BuzzSugar — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 13:34:13 -0700

It's been a while since we last visited with Betty, Daniel and the rest of the "Ugly Betty" gang, so let's take a moment to recap: Daniel has ceded control of Mode to Alexis; Wilhelmina is courting Bradford in an attempt to win the magazine for herself; and Betty is, unsurprisingly, caught in the middle of it all. Following the shockingly serious episode where Marc came out to his mom, "Betty" really dialed up the camp this week, introducing a gossip writer (and Dominick Dunne clone?) who threatens to expose the Meades' dirty laundry. For all the juicy developments and snarky one-liners,

"Ugly Betty" Recap: Episode 18, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

BuzzSugar — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 13:08:57 -0700

Dare I say this was my favorite episode of "Ugly Betty"? I'm always impressed with the show's ability to balance comedy and drama, but Thursday's episode took it to another level. What other show could combine one-liners like "so this is where the tragic happens" with totally heartbreaking family scenes? For all the goodies,

"Ugly Betty" Recap: Episode 17, "Icing on the Cake"

BuzzSugar — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 13:27:14 -0700

I knew this episode of "Ugly Betty" was going to be good when I heard Betty was going to ask her orthodontist on a date. Then I realized it would involve a Meade going to Queens, and I got even more excited. There's not too much I can say without spoiling the show, so to hear what happened,

"Ugly Betty" Recap: Episode 16, "Derailed"

BuzzSugar — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 13:49:26 -0800

I suppose we could call "Derailed" the "be careful what you wish for" episode of "Ugly Betty." As a blizzard shuts down New York, all of the characters hatch various schemes to get what they want: power for Wilhelmina, fame for Christina, Henry for Betty. Of course, nothing goes according to plan, so

"Ugly Betty" Recap: Episode 15, "Brothers"

BuzzSugar — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 13:08:36 -0800

As Tim Gunn says at the beginning of this week's "Ugly Betty": "Scandal and sex change and murder, oh my!" When we left off last week, Wilhelmina was about to mount a takeover of Mode, Alexis had revealed herself to her father, and Bradford had been arrested for the murder of Fey Sommers. This week picks up with the power struggle between Daniel, Alexis and Wilhelmina, but there are also some developments in Betty's personal life and yet another twist, so

"Ugly Betty" Recap: Episode 14, "I'm Coming Out"

BuzzSugar — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 13:55:14 -0800

After leaving us hanging with a rerun after the big Alexis Meade reveal, things are back in full swing on this week’s "Ugly Betty," with another semi-shocking ending and a healthy dose of sisterly angst. Hilda ends up working at Mode’s Fashion Week show, forcing Betty to play out her inferiority complex in front of her coworkers. And Alexis has a little surprise for Daniel, who’s about to be presented as the new head of Meade Publications. For the dish on Thursday’s episode,

"Ugly Betty" Recap: Episode 13, "In or Out"

BuzzSugar — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 16:24:45 -0800

Does "Ugly Betty" know how to do a twist or what? After weeks of anticipation, the show finally revealed who's behind those bandages — and it's definitely not who I expected. Meanwhile, Hilda briefly turns her kitchen into a baking business after Herbalux gets recalled, and Christina weighs whether she should move to the dark side when Wilhelmina asks for a favor. Beware of spoilers, but for the scoop on "In or Out,"

"Ugly Betty" Recap: Episode 12, "Sofia's Choice"

BuzzSugar — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 16:19:12 -0800

What is it with this show and flashbacks? This week's "Ugly Betty" goes back in time again, though luckily this time it's just one day, not four months. Daniel finds out Sofia has been using him for a story on how to get a guy to propose in 60 days, and Betty decides she can't possibly work for such a deceitful woman. Meanwhile, we briefly see a kinder, gentler Wilhelmina when Texas Ted sweeps her off her feet.

We start with Betty rushing through the hall in a TV studio, yelling that she has to speak with Daniel. Security pulls her out of the room, and amid her kicking and screaming, we catch a glimpse of Daniel and Sofia getting cozy on the set of a morning show.

Title card: "24 Hours Earlier"

Daniel brings Sofia a breakfast parfait in bed. He tells her to keep digging till she gets to the surprise in the bottom. An engagement ring? Nope, it's papaya.

As Betty gets off the elevator at MYW, a woman calls out: "You are NOT wearing that sweater vest." "You don't like it?" Betty says. "No, I don't like it," the voice says, "I love it!" Ah, Betty's home.

Wilhelmina and Ted are in bed together. Her phone keeps ringing, and he tells her to be "a little more armadillo, a little less roadrunner." Wilhelmina points out that armadillos end up dead on the highway, but she turns the phone off.

More wacky developments and lots of pictures, so

"Ugly Betty" Recap: Episode 11, "Swag"

BuzzSugar — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 13:19:35 -0800

So is Betty really changing jobs? Is Daniel going to propose to Sofia? Those questions will have to wait at least one more week. Thursday's "Ugly Betty" episode was one big flashback, in which Betty — while cleaning out her desk at Mode, apparently prepping for her move to MYW — explains to Christina how she ended up trading her real Gucci bag for a knockoff, saving a photo shoot, a boyfriend, and her father's health along the way.

The episode starts with "the stampede," a quarterly swag-grab in Christina's fashion closet. Mark explains that fashion is currency at Mode, and if he gets, say, the new It bag from Gucci, he can trade it for any number of other favors.

But Betty has bigger things to worry about, namely filling out a huge expense report for Daniel and arranging a dinner for fashion designer Oshi. Meanwhile, Wilhelmina complains about Daniel's financial irresponsibility to Bradford: "For his 28th birthday, he tried to buy an island. And J. Lo." Betty's got some money problems of her own: Her paycheck is much less than she expected, and the HMO stopped covering her dad's prescriptions. Betty also can't quite shrug off Walter, who keeps lurking around and giving Betty electronic goods from his store in a misguided attempt to win her back.

Things get wackier, of course, so

Season Recap: "Ugly Betty"

BuzzSugar — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 05:59:00 -0800

Anyone who has ever felt awkward or out of place has a friend in Betty Suarez, the magazine assistant with bad hair, a brace-face and tons of pluck in ABC's "Ugly Betty." Based on a popular Colombian telenovela, the show combines a sweet "beauty is only skin deep" moral with a campy mystery reminiscent of early "Desperate Housewives." Here's a rundown of what's happened so far:

Betty at Mode
Queens-bred Betty lands her first job in publishing as the assistant to the editor in chief at Mode, the highest of high-fashion magazines. She makes a splash on her first day when she shows up with her metal braces and gaudy Guadalajara poncho while everyone else is kitted out in Manolos and Marc Jacobs. In addition to being the laughingstock of the skinny, snotty staff, she also learns publishing mogul Bradford Meade has only hired her because he's sure his son Daniel — Mode's new editor in chief — won't sleep with her.

Yet no amount of humiliation (and there's a lot of humiliation) can deter the spunky Betty, who quickly proves herself a valuable member of the Mode staff. She saves fashion spreads, covers for her boss while he nurses hangovers, and talks a famous photographer who'd sworn off working with Mode into shooting for them again. She's even been offered a job at a new magazine that targets empowered young women. But will Betty really leave behind her Mode job and her friendship with Daniel? We'll have to wait till January to see.

The mystery
The previous Mode editor in chief, Fey Sommers, died in a fiery car crash ... or did she? What we know so far: The catty creative director, Wilhelmina Slater, spends lots of time on the phone with a shadowy woman whose face is wrapped in bandages. Daniel keeps getting phone calls from a woman who hints that Daniel's father is keeping secrets. And Bradford, who had an affair with Fey years ago, appears connected to her death, though he's now trying to cover his tracks.

To hear more about Betty and Mode,