Returned tonight. Comments based on this evening's telecast, so spoiler-laden, after the jump …

(more…)

New-season episodes of "Ugly Betty" and "Brothers & Sisters" arrived today, along with letters from the producers that indicate how the shows think they stand with the press.

The "Ugly Betty" letter, signed by Silvio Horta and Marco Pennette, began, "On behalf of the producers and writers of UGLY BETTY, we'd like to thank you for your continued support of our show. Your critical endorsement is a big part of why we're able to come back for a second season."

(Well, not as big as good ratings, but the show's pilot did generate praise before it premiered.)

Ken Olin of "Brothers & Sisters" knows that his show was not greeted so warmly. And he neither ducked that in his letter, nor indicated that early criticism was wrong.

"As many of you know, at this time last season we were still finding our way," his letter says. "To those of you who patiently supported us throughout, I am truly grateful. To those of you who came to the show later, I sincerely appreciate your willingness to remain open to the show's potential. And to any of you who remain skeptical I offer up my hope that you will watch this episode and others this season and find in them the humor, drama and emotion that has defined the series."

I'm in that third group, by the way. I didn't see enough in the pilot to go back to the show, and my viewing schedule was pretty full without it. Now I'm wondering what I've missed. Should I devote some spare hours to the replays on ABC.com?

Winners include "Friday Night Lights," "Scrubs," "Brotherhood," "Baghdad ER," "Boondocks," "Ugly Betty," more …

(more…)

More news about shows getting full-season deals, this one from ABC:

The most-watched new TV show of the 2006-07 season, "Ugly Betty" was picked up for a full season order, Stephen McPherson, president of ABC Entertainment announced today. The show, based on the world’s most popular telenovela, "Yo Soy Betty La Fea," is executive-produced by Salma Hayek and stars America Ferrera as Betty Suarez.

"In just two weeks ‘Ugly Betty’ has given us an impressive foothold leading into the ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ hour on Thursday night," said McPherson. "The show has proven to be competitive in a very strong time period, and we’re thrilled with ‘Ugly Betty’s’ performance."

The ABC freshman has already established itself a solid second to CBS’ time period veteran "Survivor" in the 8 o’clock hour among Total Viewers (15.3 million) and Adults 18-49 (4.7/13), while holding the No. 1 position on average with Adults 18-34 (4.0/12). On average, "Ugly Betty" has improved the time period for ABC by 96% in Total Viewers (15.3 million vs.. 7.8 million) and by 92% in Adults 18-49 (4.8/14 vs.. 2.5/7) over the same nights last year. Additionally "Ugly Betty" qualifies as the No. 1 new series this season in Total Viewers (1.13 million) and Adults 18-49 (3.2/9) among Hispanic viewers watching English language TV.

You've had a chance to see it. Comments welcome. And here's an odd one — in the form of a letter to Betty — that arrived in tonight's e-mail, clearly from someone who didn't see the braces as part of the show's overall exaggeration:

Dear Betty,
I saw you on Thursday and I want to be the first to congratulate you on joining the growing trend of more than one million adults with braces – you are well on your way to a healthy, beautiful smile.

Although most adults today opt for sleeker and less noticeable braces, it looks like you decided on the retro “railroad tracks” model. If you ever want to make a change, please feel free to contact me — or one of my 9,350 colleagues in the U.S. and Canada — at the American Association of Orthodontists. If you want to see the latest treatments we offer, or if you’d like to find an orthodontist near you, please visit us online at www.braces.org.

Good luck with the new job and keep smiling,
Donald R. Joondeph, DDS, MS
President
American Association of Orthodontists