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For 'Ugly Betty,'
perhaps its last shot


It returns from Friday exile to a premiere timeslot

Jan 6, 2010
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ABC's "Ugly Betty" likely has one shot at proving it still deserves a spot on the network's schedule. If it does not perform well in tonight's new timeslot, the fourth-year show could be axed come May.

"Betty" returns from a brief Friday exile tonight at 10 p.m., when it takes over the slot the now-canceled "Eastwick" had held.

It would seem to be a good fit.

"Betty," though an hour-long show, is nominally a comedy, and it leads out of a new two-hour comedy block that has provided ABC with decent ratings on the night. And it airs against very different competition: procedural "CSI: NY" on CBS and variety show "The Jay Leno Show" on NBC.

"Betty" can't do much worse than "Eastwick," which averaged a 1.0 adults 18-49 in its final original outing last week. But whether the show can revive its ratings after falling to series lows this year is the real issue.

"Betty" averaged a 1.3 rating in its most recent original outing, Dec. 11. By comparison, a rerun of "Betty" that aired on Thursday the same week last year averaged a 1.5.

While the show may be sagging in the ratings, creatively it is having a strong season. The snappy writing and strong acting that were the hallmark of season one are once again evident, after a few plotline missteps over the previous two seasons.

If "Betty's" ratings don't show improvement, and this is the show's last season, expect producers to end the series with a controversial pairing of Betty and her boss, Daniel, mimicking the original telenovela's storyline.


A look at this week’s top TV draws

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6

Time

Network

Program

Description

7 a.m.

NBC

“Today” (N)

Tim Allen and Dr. Drew make appearances.

8 p.m.

CBS

“I Get That a Lot” (R)

Paris Hilton and Snoop Dogg are among those who fool unsuspecting people.

9 p.m.

ABC

“Modern Family” (C)

Benjamin Bratt shows up as Gloria’s ex and Manny’s dad.

9 p.m.

CBS

“People’s Choice Awards” (A)

Queen Latifah hosts the 36th annual event.

9 p.m.

Discovery Health

“Confessions of a Reality Show Loser” (N)

A look at a “Biggest Loser” contestant who regained the 200 pounds he lost on the show.

10 p.m.

A&E

“Steven Seagal: Lawman” (R)

Seagal and his team find drugs at the site of a disturbance call.

10 p.m.

FX

“Nip/Tuck” (D)

Season premiere. The guys reflect on their college years at the University of Miami.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 7

Time

Network

Program

Description

8 p.m.

MyNetworkTV

“Best of the World Music Awards” (A)

The most memorable WMA performances from the 2000s.

8:30 p.m.

ABC

“College Football” (S)

The BCS championship game between Alabama and Texas.

9 p.m.

TLC

“American Chopper” (R)

Paul Jr. returns to the shop and the crew works on a wheelchair chopper.

9 p.m.

History Channel

“Earth 2100” (N)

Theorizing what the world may look like in 90 years.

10 p.m.

Bravo

“Real Housewives of Orange County” (R)

Vicki prepares a surprise for her husband, and Tamra and Simon argue over Gretchen.

11:30 p.m.

NBC

“The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” (T)

Jackie Chan and Emily Blunt both guest.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 8

Time

Network

Program

Description

8 p.m.

CBS

“Ghost Whisperer” (D)

A radio station is haunted by a revenge-seeking ghost.

9 p.m.

Fox

“Dollhouse” (D)

Topher tries to give Echo her original personality.

9 p.m.

CBS

“Medium” (D)

The main suspect in a serial killer case turns up dead.

9 p.m.

Biography

“American Gangster” (N)

Season premiere. Examining the Philadelphia Black Mafia.

10 p.m.

CBS

“Numb3rs” (D)

A former lottery winner is killed while trying to steal scratch-offs.

10:30 p.m.

ESPN

“NBA Basketball” (S)

LeBron and the Cavs take on Carmelo and the Nuggets in Denver.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 9

Time

Network

Program

Description

4:30 p.m.

NBC

“NFL Football” (S)

The Jets versus the Bengals in the first of four NFL wild card playoff games this weekend.

8 p.m.

Fox

“Cops” (R)

Cops in Florida find a woman trying to pull off a robbery.

8 p.m.

NBC

“NFL Football” (S)

NBC’s second game pits Philadelphia versus Dallas.

8 p.m.

Nickelodeon

“iCarly” (K)

Carly tries to help Sam act more feminine.

9 p.m.

Hallmark Channel

“The Wishing Well” (M)

A journalist sees how her life could be different while investigating a town’s magic wishing well.

11:30 p.m.

NBC

“Saturday Night Live” (C)

Charles Barkley hosts and Alicia Keys performs.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 10

Time

Network

Program

Description

1 p.m.

CBS

“NFL Football” (S)

The Ravens battle the Patriots in another wild card playoff game.

4:30 p.m.

Fox

“NFL Football” (S)

Green Bay and Arizona wrap up wild card weekend.

8:30 p.m.

Fox

“The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special: In 3D! On Ice!” (A)

The title says it all!

9 p.m.

ABC

“Desperate Housewives” (D)

Lynette finds out what Tom has been up to.

9 p.m.

NBC

“Chuck” (C)

Season premiere. Chuck and Sarah have relationship issues after he fails out of spy school.

9 p.m.

Syfy

“Battlestar Galactica: The Plan” (M)

A version of the series from the villains' point of view.

A = awards show or special, C = comedy, D = drama, DD = daytime drama, G = game show, K = kids, M = movie, N = news/documentary, R = reality, S = sports, T = talk/variety show.



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