News, Reviews & Commentary on Gay and Bisexual Men in Entertainment and the Media

America Ferrera

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Betty pines for Henry, and Justin becomes Mode's in-house fashion elf!

Ugly Betty is back tonight and we've got the scoop!

Ugly Betty fans rejoice! Your favorite show is back and after having seen the first two episodes, I can tell you it's better than ever. No sophomore slump here! In fact, tonight's ep packs more laughs, plot and touching moments than many shows manage in half a season.

The second season premiere opens with a hilarious sequence where Betty (America Ferrera) dreams she's starring in her own telenovela. The pic above is Betty in her dream's maid get-up. Wait until you see what Henry (Christopher Gorham) is wearing.

Later we get Wilhelmina's (Vanessa Williams) evil henchman Marc (Michael Urie) providing hilarious sound effects during a confrontation with Betty.

And here is Marc with Amanda (Becki Newton), who is having all sorts of issues. Her low point comes when someone mistakes her for Betty.

But it's Hilda (Ana Ortiz) who gets the best storyline in tonight's episode. I don't want to give anything away, but I promise you won't be disappointed in it — unless you're the Grinch.

The thing I most admire about Ugly Betty is how seamlessly it manages to weave together all of its various plot lines and styles. The show can veer between outright hilarity and "Kleenex" moments on a dime. There is a scene in the second episode involving Marc and Justin (Mark Indelicato) that perfectly embodies the show's amazing ability to pull that off. It's not just a credit to the writers and directors, but the actors as well. The way Urie can go from snarky to caring in a heartbeat and make me believe it's genuine is worth watching alone.

Entertainment Weekly gave the episode a B and said some snarky things about it that, frankly, just baffle me. This is great television and I don't know what more you could ask from a show.

BTW, we're giving Betty the full recap treatment this season, so check back tomorrow for Steven Frank's take on it — including his patented "Justin Meter", which tracks Justin's fabulousness for each episode!

Pictures from the 2007 Emmy Awards

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