Ugly Betty: The Complete First Season—The Bettyfied Edition

Ugly Betty debuted last year and almost immediately became the season's undisputed comedy smash (and an Emmy and Golden Globe winner as well). As stylish as it is clever—like its obvious inspiration The Devil Wears Prada—the show won legions of fans, who were drawn to what press releases called “the ultimate story of a square peg in a universe of round holes.” Said peg being chunky, bespectacled Betty Suarez (newly minted star America Ferrara), the initially naïve assistant to Daniel Meade (Eric Mabius), editor of the prominent fashion magazine Mode. Nearly everyone in the workplace—especially fashion diva Wilhelmina Slater (Vanessa Williams), her butt-kissing assistant Marc (Michael Urie), and perpetually scheming receptionist Amanda (Becki Newton)—tries to undermine Betty and her boss, but she can always count on the support of her working-class Queens family: loving dad Ignacio (Tony Plana), sultry sister Hilda (Ana Ortiz), and nerdy nephew Justin (Mark Indelicato). Presented on a six-disc set, DVD extras include audio commentaries, deleted scenes, featurettes (on creating the show, behind-the-scenes, and production), and a blooper reel. Highly recommended. (E. Hulse)