Ugly Betty Star Reveals Show's Rough Start

Though Ugly Betty achieved critical acclaim over its four-season run, its early days were marked by neglect, revealed Vanessa Williams in a recent interview. The series, which aired from 2006 to 2010 and centered on Betty Suarez's journey at the fashion magazine Mode, was initially a Friday night program with little network attention. Williams, who played Wilhelmina Slater, noted that the show did not even receive breakfast service.

The production faced numerous obstacles, including the 2008 financial crisis and a major writers' strike. Despite these challenges and frequent schedule changes by ABC that impacted viewership, the cast and crew persevered. Williams expressed that the show's extraordinary visual production became too expensive for its time, leading to its unfortunate cancellation in 2010. She concluded by stating it was the best show she had ever done on television.