Summary
- The success of the Barbie movie could inspire the revival of the canceled TV comedy, Ugly Betty.
- Ugly Betty challenged social concepts similar to the Barbie movie's confrontations of the patriarchy, making it a perfect candidate for a revival.
- America Ferrera's prominent role in both Barbie and Ugly Betty adds star power to the potential revival, and she has expressed her desire to bring back the show.
Out from under Barbie's hard-hitting theatrical run, the revival of a canceled but underrated 2006 TV comedy could emerge. The Barbie movie motivated nothing short of miracles after its release to theaters, breaking record upon record in the cinema sphere and inspiring a massive resurgence of interest in the Mattel toy line of fashion dolls. Not long after release, the movie had audience hoping the reception of the film would engender some sort of franchise sequel or spinoff, but instead, the Barbie movie might be inclined to inspire something fans least expect.
Above and beyond a lucrative theatrical run that saw the Barbie movie become the highest grossing film of 2023 (via diverse cast of Barbie characters, the film quickly became a mega-hit due to its meta approach to the more problematic aspects of the world and the Barbie brand. As it happens, Barbie's particularly empowering approach, as well as its resulting critical reception, could help to nudge an early 2000s TV series in the direction of a well-awaited revival.
Ugly Betty Has The Chance To Piggyback Off Of Barbie's Empowering Message
In 2006, Barbie actress America Ferrera was cast in the comedy drama television series Ugly Betty as the quirky personal assistant to fashion bigwig and Mode Magazine editor-in-chief, Daniel Meade. Ugly Betty's titular lead character was known for her unusual sense of style, her distinguishing adult braces, and her sweet but naive nature, which were characteristics that made her stick out like a sore thumb in the world of high fashion. However, instead of using her as the brunt of an ill-considered joke, Ugly Betty made the most of Betty's narrative by challenging old and outdated social concepts similar to the way in which the Barbie movie confronted the patriarchy.
Although the series had its fair share of problematic moments, also broadcast truly timeless storylines that included body image awareness, LGBTQ issues, inequalities for women in the workplace, and more, before it was canceled after its fourth season. Since the Barbie movie brought more inclusive conversations to the forefront of entertainment, the Ugly Betty franchise could capitalize off of Barbie's moment to pick up where the show left off in the form of a series revival. Not only would an Ugly Betty revival get to reassert revolutionizing concepts, but it would be able to use the Barbie movie as a blueprint for rectifying its more problematic elements.
Why Ugly Betty Ended After Season 4 (Was It Canceled?)
Ugly Betty, starring America Ferrera as Betty Suarez, concluded in 2010 after four seasons and 85 episodes – why did the ABC comedy-drama series end?
America Ferrera's Prominent Barbie Role Would Bring More Star Power To Ugly Betty
The possibility that the Barbie movie could influence an Ugly Betty revival becomes all the more exciting when considering America Ferrera's role in both entities. In the Barbie movie, Ferrera played the Mattel employee Gloria, who traveled alongside Stereotypical Barbie as she navigated the real world for the first time. Gloria was integral to the overall story of helping Stereotypical Barbie break away from the crisis of societal constructs, and in turn, the character has become one of Ferrera's most popular and critically received roles to date.
Although Ferrera has had a history of notable roles, including efforts alongside the TV series Superstore, within the How To Train Your Dragon movie franchise, and in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants films, her Barbie performance was arguably her largest role ever. Especially when compared to her time performing on Ugly Betty - the era that launched the start of her career - Ferrera has come a long way in the entertainment industry. In view of Barbie's success and the spotlight on Ferrera's recent work, an Ugly Betty revival would consist of more star power on the actress' behalf and could potentially galvanize her much more prominent fanbase.
Ugly Betty won two Golden Globe Awards for "Best Leading Actress in a Comedy Series" and "Best Comedy Series".
America Ferrera Still Has The Desire To Revive Ugly Betty
Even before Barbie's massive success, Ferrera had the desire to bring back Ugly Betty, with rumors of the revival being addressed by the actress since 2010. All the more recently, Ferrera went on record with ET Online to express her eagerness to revive the show, stating:
"I think there has been like a deep desire there for a long time because our Ugly Betty family is so close and so we love each other so much."
"I think we'd all come back in a heartbeat. It takes a lot of work to get a thing off the ground -- maybe we'll figure it out."
"Betty is my heart. I would be thrilled."
On the back of Barbie's success and with the approval of lead actress America Ferrera, now would be the perfect time for the powers that be to get together to revive Ugly Betty.
Source: Los Angeles Times, ET Online
