"Ugly Betty" Update: ABC has "complete faith" in show

Is Ugly Betty ailing? 

Earlier today, Michael Ausiello reported that as of March 26th, Ugly Betty would be on a hiatus that could last until June. If you love Betty as much as I do, that news just sucks.

Wondering what the network was thinking, I did some poking around and an ABC spokesperson told me "We are going to be premiering In the Motherhoood paired with new episodes of Samantha Who? starting March 26th, but Ugly Betty will be back in that timeslot. ABC has complete confidence in Ugly Betty and the hiatus is no way meant to reflect a loss in faith for the show which remains large part of ABC's identity."

I hope that is the case, but I have to say I'm pretty concerned and hope ABC knows what they are doing. Taking a show off the air, especially one that isn't a ratings machine, feels like a risky move.

A couple years back the networks really ticked off viewers by airing three episodes of ratings powerhouses such as Desperate Housewives or Grey's Anatomy only to pull them for a week or two to debut some new lame comedy. (Note, I'm not saying In the Motherhood is lame as I haven't watched it yet.) And the writer's strike certainly did no show any favors by taking them off the air for so long.

In the Motherhood is currently scheduled to air thirteen episodes which would, as Ausiello says, bring Betty back sometime in June. However, a source tells me that Betty — which will have five episodes left to air after March 26 — will be back before the current season ends. That means Betty would return some time in May at the latest. I've got a hunch it might be early May as bringing Betty back on May 31st would be rather pointless. 

That's good news, but from where I sit even better news would be hearing Betty isn't going away at all.