"Ugly Betty" is a fantastic show. It's bright, fun, humorous, but what I like most about it is the concept. The basis of this concept is built upon the main character, Betty. It is such a great idea to throw someone who isn't the stereotypical beauty into the main focus. Her role is not the supportive best friend or some ancillary character. She's the star. She also looks average. The average person can relate to her, because like her, we all have our foibles, some are plagued with them while others have only one or two... like myself... Ha ha!! Just kidding. Okay, I have three. Just kidding! I have many! Anyway! Okay, what am I trying to say... Oh yes! This show has become extremely popular with a great number of dedicated viewers. This proves that people don't watch TV to see all the "pretty people." We have fallen in love with the inner beauty of the character. Sounds corny, but it's true! Don't tell me it's not true! >=(
So I basically just want to say two things. One, it's great that they've sort of glamorized Betty's looks, or lack of by titling the show "Ugly Betty." By doing this, it's like a mini secession from the familiar practices and ideals of regular TV shows. I applaud the decision makers and creatives for taking a risk with their "out of the box" ideas. BUT! It's also a little contradicting because although Betty isn't the stereotypical beauty on the outside, she is much more beautiful than any of the other characters that are portrayed. The others may look beautiful, but they are something else when you dig deeper!
And two, America Ferrera aka Betty has become hugely popular. She's an average looking gal with an average looking body. I imagine this has given many girls and boys (even men and women) more hope and confidence that they can make it too.
Hmmm... now that I think about it. What if titling the show "Ugly Betty" is offensive to some people? Betty isn't drop-dead gorgeous, but she's not ugly either. So are they saying that people who sort of resemble Betty are ugly? Hmm... Forget it... I'm going to read my Harry Potter book...
1 comment:
I, too, really enjoy Ugly Betty. Not only does she exemplify courage by placing herself in a position in Mode magazine who, by its very nature, goes against who she is and what she represents, she is also a character that has her priorities straight. She puts others first, her family, her friends, even her colleagues. By doing that, although she suffers initially, her perseverence leads to many blessings for her down the road.
The title "Ugly Betty" is perfect because it clearly is a jab at the dominant society's view of beauty. Betty is ugly from a worldly point of view but her inner beauty radiates and clearly dominates her surroundings. The general message of the show clearly exposes a huge shortcoming of our society.
To put it plain and simply, many elements of Ugly Betty represent objective truth (postmodernists cringe). A truth that has been so twisted by the evils of our culture. But all of us have that truth inside of us and gravitate towards it. That's why the show is so popular. Truth always wins.
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