Ugly Betty

Orlando SentinelHal Boedeker

This juicy comedy-drama recaptures the fun of Desperate Housewives in its first season.

People WeeklyTom Gliatto

[A] delicious over-the-top comedy. [2 Oct 2006, p.45]

Detroit Free PressMike Duffy

As Betty Suarez, a beautiful dreamer with a heart full of soul, America Ferrera gives the breakout new star performance of the season. And "Ugly Betty," fizzy, smart and colorfully styled, is looking fine.

TV GuideMatt Roush

A show and a heroine larger than life, twice as colorful and infinitely more adorable.

USA TodayRobert Bianco

There is no new show more likable, but that affection may waver if Betty can't give Ferrera the scripts and support she deserves.

San Jose Mercury NewsCharlie McCollum

The driving force behind the show's appeal is Ferrera, who gives a pitch-perfect, killer performance in the opening episodes.

Los Angeles TimesRobert Lloyd

One of the season's best new shows.

Newark Star-LedgerAlan Sepinwall

I have no interest in fashion, little inherent fondness for soap operas, and I'm absolutely not the gender this show is targeting. And based on the two episodes I've seen, I'm going to be watching "Ugly Betty" every week. It's that much fun.

NewsdayDiane Werts

This fall's most satisfying series delight.

Philadelphia InquirerJonathan Storm

You've never seen anything quite like Ugly Betty.

Washington PostTom Shales

It's sweet, touching and deliriously cheerful -- the best new show of the year and a great big blast of happiness.

Seattle Post-IntelligencerMelanie McFarland

"Ugly Betty" may be the fall's best new series.

Chicago Sun-TimesDoug Elfman

The execution is cute, silly, heartfelt and sweet (not saccharine), plus it's shot at the cinematic level of a moderately funded romantic comedy movie.

New York Daily NewsDavid Hinckley

Even though "Ugly Betty" tends to go for very broad humor when subtlety would serve better, it is easily watchable.

New York PostLinda Stasi

Lots of fun, lots of laughs, lots of good, heartwarming plots.

San Francisco ChronicleTim Goodman

"Ugly Betty" is worth checking out. It retains a charm that far outstrips expectations. And Ferrera's performances are small wonders to behold.

New York MagazineJohn Leonard

Everybody... will love Betty as much as her widowed father does.

Chicago TribuneMaureen Ryan

"Betty" walks a fine line between satire and drama and, astonishingly, it doesn’t fall off that razor’s edge very often.

Philadelphia Daily NewsEllen Gray

In a season crowded with quality dramas that all seem to come from very dark places, ABC's plucky "Ugly Betty" shines as bright as the honking big braces young Betty Suarez wears.

Hollywood ReporterBarry Garron

This is a warmhearted dramedy, which gushes charm and family appeal.

The New York TimesVirginia Heffernan

“Ugly Betty” is a sweet, funny show. It’s worth watching. And we’ll see.

TimeJames Poniewozik

Like its endearingly flawed protagonist, Ugly Betty is promising but not perfect.

Boston GlobeMatthew Gilbert

America Ferrera is instantly and consistently likable as Betty.

Wall Street JournalNancy DeWolf Smith

"Ugly Betty" shines because Ms. Ferrera is luminous and credible as a character surrounded by caricatures. It's a strange mixture, but it works.

Baltimore SunDavid Zurawik

Ugly Betty has high spirits, camp, couture, charm and heart.

Pittsburgh Post-GazetteRob Owen

As enjoyable as this first episode is, its premise may be too slight to sustain a long-running series.

VarietyBrian Lowry

Ferrara... is consistently endearing, bringing heart and soul to a character that could easily be a cartoon. Too bad that doesn't extend to the rest of the series, which oscillates from screwball comedy... to florid soap elements.

Miami HeraldGlenn Garvin

Calling it ''good'' might be a bit of a stretch, but Ugly Betty's comic-melodrama formula is so cannily executed that audiences may find it irresistible.

Slant MagazineEd Gonzalez

Week in, week out, Ugly Betty subjects its audience to the same recycled crisis.