Christopher's Ugly Betty Blog

All good things come to an end. Ugly Betty's Season 1 officially wrapped this past Friday (well, Saturday morning). I’d tell you all about the eloquent speeches and heartfelt goodbyes, but I wasn’t there. I finished on Thursday, in the middle of a long day of work, with an enthusiastic applause as everyone moved on to the next scene. Oh, and there were crepes. Free crepes. I ate two, grabbed a cup of coffee to go and walked off the lot for the last time. Well, until July anyway.

It’s a funny thing, the ending of a season. I expected a little more out of it, to be honest. But the reality is that we’re coming back. And not only are we coming back, we’re coming back in two months. And during those two months, the cast is going to be together at least three times for promotional events. So, really, it’s more of a little breather than a full-fledged hiatus, nothing to get all blubbery about.

And, looking back at the season, I feel grateful, not sad. I am grateful to have been asked to be a part of this show and grateful to have worked with such an extraordinary group of people, from top to bottom. Not to mention, grateful that we get to do it all over again. Oh, and for Häagen-Dazs mint chocolate chip ice cream with hot fudge, too. I love that stuff.

As for my time off, I plan on spending it hanging out with Anel and the boys, working on my house and making a general nuisance of myself. I want to catch up on all of the movies I’ve missed, read a few books (I’m almost done with My French Whore, by Gene Wilder), go to the beach and, of course, watch the last three episodes of Ugly Betty.

When we’re in production we screen the current episode during lunch on Thursdays, but now I have to wait until 8 pm/ET like everyone else (except for those Central Time people who watch it at 7. They always have to be first). Of course, I do still have the advantage of knowing what happens in those episodes — each and every juicy, hilarious, heartbreaking detail. I know who gets kissed and who doesn’t, who gets hurt and who doesn’t, which relationship ends and which doesn’t. And no, I’m not going to tell you any of it.

All right, I’ll tell you one thing. We will not be seeing Henry’s apartment after all. We almost got to see it, honestly, but in the end the story worked better this way. Besides, I think we all know that the entire series is based on the anticipation of seeing Henry’s apartment, so if we were to see it in Season 1, where else is there to go? Careful, there are children in the room.

And, no, "Henry’s apartment" is not a metaphor. I meant it literally. And, in case there is any confusion, I am aware that Ugly Betty is, perhaps, not entirely dependent on the fictional abode of my character whose name is not, in fact, Betty. Perhaps.

Now, I’m not sure exactly how to do this, so I’ll, "… do it quickly, like tearing off a Band-Aid." That’s a quote from the finale, by the way. This is my last Ugly Betty blog. Thanks for reading. Thanks for watching.

All the best,
Chris

Anel and I went to the Ugly Betty wrap party Saturday night and had a great time. It was held at The Bungalow Club in Los Angeles. Everyone made it, and I think I mean literally everyone because that place was packed. You can see pictures at wireimage.com, but please believe me when I tell you that I was absolutely not trying to get my hair to look like an emergency road cone. Sometimes bad things happen to good people. Anel looks great. Look at her instead.

Aside from the open bar, the only reason everyone goes to the wrap party is to see the gag reel. This is the ultimate teaser, actually, because you won’t be able to see it. Well, maybe they’ll put a cleaned-up version on the DVD. They’ve been working on it for months, getting interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, the works. I’ve never seen anything like it.

Anyway, the gag reel was very well done. Usually, they’re just a mishmash of line flubs and cursing, but this thing had themes! I can’t tell you everything, but one of them was, “Drool.” There were montages, beauty shots, clips from the Golden Globes and a very clever bit of editing at the end that used a scene from this week's episode — Justin keeps rewinding part of the news (you'll see) — but instead of the moment that’s actually in the episode, he's rewinding America's Golden Globe speech so she keeps repeating "… the best crew… the best crew… the best crew." It was fantastic, and deserved. We really do have the best crew. Especially Barry. Hi, Barry.

Now that I’ve started naming names, I have to name another. Kate Hahn is a lovely journalist who interviewed me for my TV Guide article a few months back. Well, we were talking this week, because she’s doing an article on the season finale of Ugly Betty. (Don’t worry, I didn’t tell her anything!) But I did mention that I’ve been writing this blog, and she thanked me for taking food out of her babies' mouths. Or something like that. (Something funny, not sad or mean.) The point is, she is actually very good at what she does and I am completely in awe of how she, and her peers, put out articles and interviews (long ones!) all the time, while I slave away for hours on my dinky little diatribes once a week. There is a big difference between a writer and a blogger, and an even bigger difference between a writer and me.

I digress. OK, I am very happy to report that Henry is back this week and his relationship with Betty will begin its transformation from awkward admirer to purse-snatching hero. But it doesn’t stop with petty theft. This is only the beginning. Also, I think I mentioned before that Henry wears a different pair of glasses in an episode. Well, this is that episode. They make a very brief appearance, so be ready. If you need a hint, I’m also dressed like a very scary(ish) Pinocchio. I’m not a proud man.

So, I've noticed that the kind folks at TVGuide.com have moved me to the "Featured Blogs" section of their website. I wonder if this is because a lot of people are reading these entries, or because they're not. And then I figure, well, it's probably because I write such an amazing blog week after week. But then I remember last week's short, sad exercise and decide that I probably have little to do with the honor. Anyway, I've noticed, and I think it's nice.

Now, there is (finally) a real, honest-to-goodness, brand spanking new episode of Ugly Betty this week. I'd tell you all about it — well, a little bit about it — but I'm not in it so I haven't seen the script. Sure, they would have given me one if I'd asked, but I kind of like not knowing. It reminds me of the beginning of the season when I was as much a fan of the show as I was a part of it.

In fact, in this case, I'm glad I'm not in it. As a fan, I really feel like Betty needs a little time away from Henry. And since Henry isn't, really, friends with anyone else at "Mode," there isn't anything else for him to do. Don't get me wrong, I love Betty and Henry together, but I think they need a little space. The quirky, nerdy flirtations have been fun to watch (if I do say so myself), but, honestly, it's about time to get this show on the road. Their relationship needs to grow in a new direction. Like, maybe the direction in which it might grow next week... maybe.

This past week we were shooting in "Mexico." I use quotations, of course, because we were actually just a few miles northeast of Six Flags Magic Mountain. In fact, the little fake town we shot in has recently been frequently used as "Iraq." So while we were there we called it, "Iraxico." Now when you see it in the episode, you'll know that just on the other side of that fake panaderia is a fake mosque.

The two days we spent out there were particularly fun for me, because I spent most of the time riding around on a scooter. Now, I won't spoil it by telling you what the thing looked like; that's not important and you'll find out soon enough. What is important (relevant, anyway) is how I felt: cool.

Now, I've ridden a motorcycle before (off-road even), so I know the differences between a bike and a scooter. The pedals used to start this particular scooter helped bring those differences into stark relief. But there's just something about riding a motor with two wheels, even a teeny tiny little motor, that brings something out of you, the little dare devil in all of us. So, maybe I didn't get it over 20, OK 15, miles per hour, but I felt like I could have.

And that brings me right smack up to Episode 23. We start shooting the season finale this week, but I haven't seen the script yet so I can't tell you very much about it. Well, I may have read it by the time that you're reading this, but as of this writing I have not. What I can tell you is that, as a cast, we're having a hard time believing that we're almost done with Season 1. It seems to have, at once, taken so long and gone too fast. Thankfully, it won't be the last.

I swear to god I didn't mean to rhyme like that, but I completely understand if I lose my “Featured Blog” status because of it. There's just no excuse for that.

The good news is that the seemingly endless parade of reruns is over! The bad news is that Season 1 of Ugly Betty is rapidly drawing to a close. This week's "clip show" will catch everyone up on what has happened up till now and introduce you to some of our wonderful writers along the way. And next week begins a five-week sprint to the finish.

Oh, and we won the Peabody. Which is a pretty big deal. Amazing. Really. I want to use a bunch of exclamation points here, but the feeling of our show winning all of the awards we’ve won has gone past excitement and surprise to a kind of wonder. I can't speak for everyone, obviously, but for me it's become a bit of an out-of-body experience. Amazing.

Which reminds me: you just can't get a good suit of armor these days. The first suit I tried on didn't fit. Not even close. It was like trying to wear a Red Bull. The second one worked, but how people ever fought in those things is beyond me. They’re loud, slow, awkward and, who am I kidding, cool as sh-t! I mean, how often do you get to wear a suit of armor and have a sword fight with another guy in a suit of armor? Twice? Maybe?

And no, I’m not going to tell you anything else about that episode because I don’t want to ruin it. OK, one more thing: I did all my own stunts. Yeah, stunts, plural. Henry had stunts. Amazing.

Enjoy the clip show. And I promise, next week I’ll write more. And better.

I know, I know, enough with the reruns, already! Sorry. I wish there was something I could do. That said, "Fake Plastic Snow" is my favorite episode to date and I can’t wait to see it again. This episode has everything that’s great about Ugly Betty, and fake snow. We used real snow in “Derailed,” but this episode is all fake plastic goodness.

I read this script for the first time at home with my wife, Anel. I’d felt pretty good about Henry’s long-term prospects after "The Lyin’, the Watch and the Wardrobe," but then we read this:

Betty: Actually, it’s just holl—

But before she gets the word out, he kisses her. A perfect, romantic-movie kiss. They break apart. She’s speechless.

Henry: Wow. You know what, Betty? You’re just the girl I’m looking for.

And then this:

The bag explodes! Fake plastic snow flies everywhere. The air clears, revealing Henry. (What an entrance!)

Followed by this:

As he departs, Betty looks at her hands. Snow sticks to her sweaty palm.

Betty: Oh crap.

So much for avoiding Henry.

And then the snow-globe scene, and the Christmas party with the powdered sugar on my nose. Their eyes locked from across the room, while Daniel leaves that crazy romantic message for Salma and, well, you see what I mean? After we finished reading this episode I knew that Henry was, as Hillary Clinton would say, in it to win it.

Writing about this episode gives me goose bumps. Speaking of writing, I’ve said this elsewhere (but I don’t think I’ve said it here): I am in crazy mad love with our writing staff. Really. I’m proud of my work on this show, but without words, like the ones I’ve quoted above, Henry just wouldn’t be, well, Henry. It’s just something I know.

But back to the present, and future. I was called in for a special rehearsal this week. It involved a broadsword. Look for it in Episode 21. In Episode 20, Henry wears a different pair of glasses for one scene, and, yes, Becky chose them. Next week I have a scooter-riding rehearsal. If I don’t fall, Henry rides in Episode 22. And last but not least, I’ve been told that we may, may see Henry’s apartment in Episode 23.

So watch my favorite episode this Thursday and be reminded of why reruns aren’t always a bad thing. If nothing else, they give us time to make new episodes. And the new ones are so so good.

Ugly Betty is a repeat this week, and I can't tell you how tempted I was to just copy and paste last week's blog as this week's blog. In my mind, I could see all the posts congratulating me on my clever joke. Posts like, "Amazing! Get it, guys? Betty's a rerun, so Chris 're-ran' his blog. He is so funny!" with happy faces and LOLs aplenty. Then I thought, "I'm an idiot." And then I started writing.

If you haven't already heard, Ugly Betty was picked up for its second season this past week. We, and by we I mean me, America and Ashley (Jensen), heard it from the horse's mouth. And by horse's mouth, I mean Steve McPherson (President of ABC Entertainment), at the post-mini up-front presentation lunch he was hosting at our studio. I've never been to one of these "mini up-fronts" before, but basically, the network rounds up some key advertising buyers and then sits them down and tells them how amazing, innovative, provocative and exciting their new shows are going to be. It's like the "real" up-fronts that happen in May, but smaller, without the entire fall schedule, and on a soundstage in L.A. instead of Carnegie Hall in New York. Just as the buyers' eyes are beginning to glaze, ABC ushers them out into a tent filled with food and celebrities. Food and celebrities. What else do we need, really?

Who else was there? We were, obviously (in fact, the event was held at our studio and the lunch had an Ugly Betty theme), a few of the Grey's cast, James Spader and Captain Kirk from Boston Legal, the October Road cast, some Dancing with the Stars folks, Victor Garber, Scott Wolf, Kristin Chenoweth and the Grey's spin-off cast, among others. A regular celebrity buffet, if you will.

I'd forgotten my dress shirt at home, so I had to borrow one from Michael Urie's wardrobe. I would have borrowed from Henry, but it was a little warm for a cardigan. Ashley and I hung out together for most of the event and caught up with America right before Steve gave us the good news.

Everything after that is a blur of smiles, flash photography and mini sombreros.

On an unrelated note, Lynn Indelicato (Mark's mom) is an excellent cook. She sent me home with some of her lentil soup, and I am happy to report that it was delicious.

Oh, and did I mention, UGLY BETTY'S COMING BACK!!!

PS: We read Episode 21 this week. It's so good; I can't even talk about it.

This is my first blog. I know that I should probably be embarrassed, only blogging for the first time at the age of 32, but I'm not. I'm an old-fashioned type of guy and I believe in waiting to blog until you're ready. So what have I been waiting for? Betty. Like Henry, the quirky accountant I portray on Ugly Betty, I guess I just needed the right heartbreakingly sweet, smart, funny, four-eyed, metal-mouthed beauty to bring me out of my shell. That said, if I'm not very good at it, please be patient. It is my first time.

I wasn't supposed to be on this show. I wasn't available to audition for the pilot episode because I was starring in another show at the time. But I'd known about the project from the beginning. Before he'd written a page, I remember Silvio (Horta) describing the project to me, over lunch on the Paramount lot. We'd worked together before and had kept in touch. The conversation went something like this…

Chris: "What are you working on?"

Silvio: "Blah blah blah blah, Ugly Betty, blah blah blah Salma Hayek."

Chris: "Wait. What? Salma Hayek's a producer?"

Silvio: "Yeah."

Chris: "What's she like? When did you meet her? What did she say? And don't leave anything out."

Like I said, it went something like that. Then I continued on with my doomed show and he went off to write and produce one of the funniest, most heartwarming and endearing shows on television.

Thankfully, for me, that wasn't the end of this story.

I first met Betty on my computer, in my car, watching the pilot, outside the studio, before my meeting with America. I'd gotten a call from Silvio, the night before, asking if I'd be interested in playing an accountant. Watching the pilot, in my car, though, I didn't much care what I'd be playing. I just wanted to hang out with Betty.

America was in her Betty wardrobe when we met. She took out her braces (I was wondering if they were real, but they're made like Invisalign clear plastic retainers), introductions were made, we read an early version of the sushi restaurant scene, from "The Lyin', the Watch and the Wardrobe," and a few days later, with the help of some glasses, a handsome sweater vest and my high school hairdo, Henry walked upright (extraordinarily upright) into Betty's life. Lucky bastard.

Of course, Betty isn't real. Without the wig, the glasses, the braces and enthusiastic wardrobe she's just a, well, a rather extraordinary human being actually. By now you've seen the speeches and the interviews so you have an idea what I'm talking about. America Ferrera is as advertised.

I remember, before the show had premiered, while shooting my first episode I would often talk to her about "Your show," and how "you guys are going to be a hit!" America would say, "Our show," including me, and "you're a part of us now." I didn't know, at the time, that it would, in fact, work out that way, but I appreciated it.

The rest of the cast is amazing too, but I hesitate to say it because it sounds like such cliché bull****. Can I say that on TVGuide.com? (If the word "bull****" in the last sentence is removed, or edited, we now know that I cannot say it on TVGuide.com.) It's true, though. And they all give 110 percent. We're like a family.

Thank you Silvio, thank you America, thank you Jim P., Libby, Marco, Ben, Salma, Pepe, Jim H., Teri, Alice, Sheila, Oliver, Tracy, Jon, Gabrielle, Harry, Henry, Jack, Cameron, Dailyn, Veronica, Sarah, Eric, Vanessa, Alan, Ana, Tony, Ashley, Becki, Mark, Michael, Kevin, Rebecca and everyone else on Ugly Betty for letting me crash the party.

Sorry about that. You'd think I'd won something.

All right, there's a new episode this week, guest starring Patti LuPone as Marc's mother, and it's fantastic! Henry's not around much, since Betty (rightfully) kind of broke up with him last week, but America and Michael are crazy funny together and the big dinner at the Suarez house will make you pee your pants. So check it out, tell your friends and be ugly.