It’s been nearly 20 years since then Ugly betty It premiered on ABC, but then the matter is now in the middle of a rewatch podcast, especially for show stars Becky Newton and Michael Urier.
in Still uglythe actor behind the roles of Amanda Tannen (Newton) and Mark St James (Wurry) watch one episode at a time, telling off-screen memories on-screen, and taking the details fans have always wanted while welcoming guests on the show. First episodefor example, to look back at the show’s pilots, he brought Betty Suarez’s own American Ferrera. for Episode 5Henry (Christopher Gorham) stops by to talk about his own character’s entry into the world of Maud Magazine.
It’s a fun trip down memory lane, Still ugly It’s also an opportunity for Newton and Urry to talk about headlines worthy of the news of the time, but it’s not yet resolved itself. This includes issues of racism, sexism and LGBTQ+. This is just as timely as ever.
“What I find surprised is how far ahead the show was. [Tony Plana] Immigration status. It was local, but it was ahead at that point, but now it’s even more so,” Urie said. “It’s the same as all the weird stuff. You know, we go to a lot of places with weird expressions on this show. I can’t believe it was 2006 when we were talking about these things.”
“At the time, people were talking about comedy and camping and stuff, and that’s really addressing some big issues, and I think the reason people are still watching it is because it’s so relevant,” Newton said.
And while the show was on the cutting edge of the issue in the early 2000s, there is still a lot that Newton and Urry need to tackle during the reach. One is the storyline of Alexis Mead, in which Rebecca Lomeen plays Daniel Mead’s transgender sister. [Eric Mabius]in the end it became a lot of jokes. But even so, Urier and Newton give the opportunity to talk about (and still) how the show is on “the right side of things.”
To find out what prompted them to start a rewatch podcast, fans can know who they can expect to hear in the next few episodes, and whether they’re up or not Ugly betty Reboot and read the full interview with Urie and Newton on Decider.
Decider: Do you want to start from the beginning and ask what really do you guys want to get into this? Because so many people have done these rewatch podcasts and have said it for this or that reason. What was that for you?
Becky Newton: I don’t think it’s natural that we’re trying to do this. And we don’t think we’ve ever said, “What do you know, maybe it’s time for now.” I think we’ve always wanted and we’re both filming shows in Los Angeles. And it all makes sense for now.
Michael Urry: That felt inevitable. I did a podcast for the first run of the show. We were like Pioneer Podcasters. ABC.com let us do this podcast, so every episode of the original run has a correlation podcast hosted by Becki and Me, interviewing cast members. Interview guest stars and interview crew members. Sometimes I grab a random crew and drag it into the dressing room during lunchtime to get it on my podcast.
Newton: They were usually very confused.
Urry: Oh yeah, they didn’t know what we were doing. There were a few podcasts, but certainly no actor had podcasts about his own TV show. And it felt like it was inevitable that we would do [do this]. And we’ve been really very close over the last few years, but perhaps for months we’ve stopped seeing each other constantly, but we’re in constant contact with each other. We really felt like we were staying close and going back together and watching the show again. It really feels special. It’s like a reunion at our high school.
If you went back and listened, you probably have the same reaction today. Have you ever had a moment of surprise, or did you say to you, “How did this air?”
urie: What always hits me when it comes to the content of the show is how progressive it was. Yes, we had casual racism, but later in the series there is casual transphobia when Alexis’ character joins the show. But even such things were not without consequences. These characters, they’re used to the bad things they do. But what I find surprised is how far ahead the show has gone. Currently, Rewatch is experiencing issues regarding Ignacio’s immigration status. It was local at the time, but back then it was in front of a curve, and now it’s even more so. It’s the same as all the strange things. As you know, we go to many places with strange expressions in this show. I can’t believe it was 2006 when we were talking about these things.
Newton: I think I was surprised when we re-watched it. Michael and I have associated a lot with the show’s comedy in particular. But when we’re rewatching it, one of the episodes ends with Ignacio being literally taken away. And I think I’m more responsive to the drama of the show and these very serious issues. But now seeing that, people were talking about comedy and camp and all of that at the time, and it really addressed some big issues. And I think the reason people are still watching it today is because it’s so relevant. It’s probably more inappropriate in certain parts, but it certainly is still relevant.
And I’ve seen them react to the show over the past few years with Netflix and Hulu hits. What was that rebirth like for you?
urie: Wild is when a young man I know appears when he can’t see his original run [to me]. Or those who saw it when they were younger are now showing their children. It’s really cool. It’s so moving and beautiful, I still feel relevant and cool to know that the show works in a nostalgic way. Ugly bettystill years later. It means that we have this record of these years of our lives and we are so lucky to be able to go back and see them. We still love each other so much and can connect with other cast members. Becky and I were with Mark Indelicart and Ana Ortiz at the GLAAD Awards a few weeks ago, and it seemed time had passed.
Newton: It’s really weirdly normal to be with them.
Urry: Yeah, it’s like family.
And if you say, you already have America [Ferrera] And Christopher Gorham, do you have certain co-stars and people who get closer to them and are tied to a particular episode?
Newton: As we see, we see every episode and think, “Oh my god, I forgot that person was on our show.” So I don’t think there is a limit to how many people. It’s a matter of time and space. I can’t wait to talk to Vanessa [Williams] and Judith [Light]and ANA. I want to talk to everyone.
URIE: There are episodes of Eric Mabius and Tony Prana. But I would like to hear from our directors and writers as well. This will also be interesting. And you may find people who are fans of the show, who are known people who want to come and talk about it. I think that’s really cool. We still understand that. The first batch of this episode was also a very learning experience for us. Becky, if it happens to you when you rewatch them, I’ll notice myself – when I rewatch it before I put it in the air or when we rewatch the podcast before YouTube and Spotify and Apple podcasts etc, I laugh at you in the same place that we laughed at when we made it.
Newton: This is often the case. Yes, it just happens to me.
Urie: And I think that’s re-watching the show too. I don’t know if this is absolutely funny to your audience, but when I re-watch Ugly bettyI laugh at things and remember, “Oh, I thought it was funny 18 years ago.” I don’t know, there’s something strange about it. Over the years there’s something about revisiting something. cool. That’s special.
Michael, are there any details that come to mind with something that made you laugh both eras since you mentioned it?
Urry: For some reason, I will never forget the episode where Betty is summoned to the roof of Maud and is littered with broken mannequins on the roof. It goes for Wilhelmina to release steam. It’s just like a dead mannequin detritus. And then there is something like ominous music, then there is lightning, but it’s a bright, sunny day. And she looks around, like, “Why does it thunder?” And she looks over at Mark and I’m there in a sheet of thunder. Like a literal thunder sheet, scaring her, like she makes thunder just to scare her.
I see Ugly betty It is almost an attitude correction device, but from the perspective of kindness and empathy. When you’re rewatching, do you think there are those reminders to put something better out there? Or are you two good people for a period of 100%?
Newton: Before we answer that, it’s not only kinder that I respond to this show, but what I like about Betty is that she’s “If you’re not, I’m still great.” So there are two messages. They have kindness to each other, but zip themselves into a bubble of greatness wherever they go. It’s kind of like that. Can you always take advantage of your strength and beauty in what others think of us? So I didn’t answer your question at all, but I did what I wanted to do.
Urie: That’s another thing. I don’t think this came up today in this interview, but obviously we’re always talking about reboots and are always asked about reboots. Obviously, we want to go back together. I want to make another show. We want to be together and find out where these characters are. But I want to think about what Betty thinks about the world today and what should we hear about how Betty navigates 2025. Certainly, it would be fun to see where Mark is and where Amanda is. But what is Betty’s view?
All four seasons Ugly betty Currently streaming on Netflix, Hulu and Disney+. You can listen Still ugly Podcasts Anywhere Podcasts are available.
