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Ugly Betty

January 25, 2008
I love Ugly Betty.  For those not in the loop, Betty Suarez is a young woman trying to  make it as a journalist.  She lands a job as an assistant to Daniel Meade (son of the owner) at fashion magazine Mode.  The twist is that Betty is a size 14 (I'm guessing) in a size 4 world, wears braces, dresses for comfort and her own style and is very nice.  All things, it appears on the show, missing from the fashion industry.

Last night's show had Betty finally getting her big break.  She was given the opportunity to write an interview about an author to appear in the magazine.  While Daniel told her she would be interviewing Phil Roth, she assumes he means Philip Roth of Goodbye, Columbus fame.  Turns out that Phil wrote a book called Tapping Out with tips for men on how to get women in bed.  Betty is horrified at the man and the book cover which shows a woman served up on a plate.  When Phil explains his philosophy of picking up women and Betty doesn't believe women will fall for it, Phil shows her by using his techniques on a woman in the office and it works.

Betty refuses to write the interview and turns in an article on her sister instead saying she didn't like the man or his book.  Daniel then says she is literally juding a book by it's cover and tells her he will find someone else to do it since she wasn't up to it.  Of course, this spurs Betty into action.

This show is so timely, coming as it is on the heels of yesterday's hot topic about reviews.  The blog brought out strong emotions.  I guess I'm still new enough at this to be amazed at how fast people jump on these topics.  It turns out several other blogs picked up the subject matter, so I read them.  It was very interesting, for me, because it was like being reviewed.  So I kind of got to know what you authors go through.

The most fascinating part was reading what I said taken out of context.  It was obvious that some didn't even read the whole blog because while I said I didn't read reviews before I read a book or saw a movie, I admitted to reading them after the fact.  And while I personally won't write a bad review, I can understand talking about good plotting and characterization.  What I can't understand is personally attacking an author.

So back to Betty.  Are you like Betty?  Do you judge a book by it's cover and decide you don't like the book because of it?  Would you be inclined to be negative because the subject matter repulsed you like it did Betty?  Would that stop you from reading or writing about it? 

And because it's Friday, as usual I invite you to post on what you've been reading.  Unfortunately, real life got in the way this week and I didn't finish a book even though I've got three going.  But I will be writing about them next week....after I finish reading them.

Any problems posting, email your comments to me and I'll post for you.

Bottom Line:   The book cover of the woman on the plate was tacky, but for real tackiness, on The Surreal Life, they had a naked woman lying on the dining room table covered with food and people actually ate off of her.  Ewww.
                                      

Posted by Barbara Vey on January 25, 2008 | Comments (8)


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January 25, 2008
In response to: Ugly Betty
Christy commented:

Barb, I'll never understand personally attacking an author, which is why I will continue to ignore those "reviewers"....As to what I'm reading this week - I'm rereading Comanche Moon by Catherine Anderson and I dare anyone to find something negative to say about that book!!!! LOL




January 25, 2008
In response to: Ugly Betty
Deborah Macgillivray commented:

My treat was Barbara Pierce's Naughty by Nature. Lovely book from a very talented author. Do yourself a favour and indulge!

<br><br>www.myspace.com/barbarapierce




January 25, 2008
In response to: Ugly Betty
B. Johansen Newman commented:

I also love UGLY BETTY with passion and have from the very first week. It's the only appointment TV I have had beside the Sopranos. The show is filled with clever, fast paced dialogue, often with subtle literary references. It is the perfect combination of sophisticated humor with a touch of slapstick. As an illustrator, I especially love it for the setting and character details; someone on that design staff has a great Felini-esque eye for painting the perfect pictures/moods with costume and set design.

My guilty indulgence as of late is finally getting to "Ghost Hunters: William James and the Search for Scientific Proof of Life After Death" by Deborah Blum. I ordered it last year and then promptly stuck it on the shelf while I got sidetracked with other things. An on-line discussion prompted me to get it and dig in. I am a little afraid of the dark, now, however...

Do I judge a book by it's cover? At first, yes. As with people, it is hard NOT to form an immediate impression based on what is presented and right before my eyes. That's the business I am in. I do always do try to look beyond my first thoughts, though. Sometimes the outside belies the inside. But sometimes not.

Reviews? I also try not to read them until I have read the book or seen the movie, if at all. I resent being told what to think about something, and from time to time I find that personal agendas rise to the surface. Part of me does also feel that if you can't say something nice... Despite what reviewers think, it is always subjective.

But I do love lively, multi-sided discussions about books and movies among those who have read or seen them!




January 25, 2008
In response to: Ugly Betty
Marilyn AKA The Playground Monitor commented:

I've never watched Ugly Betty but I can sympathize with her. I got braces when I was 53 and wore them for almost 2 1/2 years. I'm sure others didn't notice them as much as I did.

I might notice a cover but after having friends who've had wonderful books with horrid covers I don't let the cover determine whether or not I buy the book.

I started "The Unsung Hero" by Suzanne Brockmann yesterday. I've read some of her newer books and wanted to go back and pick up the beginning of the SEAL series.




January 25, 2008
In response to: Ugly Betty
Edie Ramer commented:

I'm reading Crazy in Love by Lani Diane Rich. I recently read The Fortune Quilt by her and it was great.

Lately I'm more likely to buy a book because I've heard it's good, either by your blurbing ladies or on another loop. The few times I browse at the bookstore, I will pick up books with good covers.

Has anyone else noticed lately that the e-books have more original and eye-catching covers than print books? I've been told by e-book writers that they have more cover input than print writers do. That might be a good topic for you, Barbara.




January 25, 2008
In response to: Ugly Betty
Amie Stuart commented:

UGh I think my response got eaten. I LOVE BETTY! It's so cold and nasty here I hope they cancel basketball tomorrow so that not so small but quit sick boychild and I can catch up --we've got about 3 episodes to watch.

<P>As to judging a book funny enough I just did this! I got my RITA Books and one has this OOGLY Cover but the back blurb sounded good, so I started reading it and it's really good!!! </p>

<P>Besides that I'm reading Naomi Novik's His Majesty's Dragon</p>

<br>Amie

<br>www.amiestuart.com/blog




January 25, 2008
In response to: Ugly Betty
Dolphinover commented:

This weeks book was One for the money, by Janet Evanovich. I haven't watched Ugly Betty. I will have to do that.




January 28, 2008
In response to: Ugly Betty
Kristen Painter commented:

I love Ugly Betty. That show just rocks on so many levels.





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