Yo soy Betty, la fea

This is the latin american soap-opera fenomeno. The ratings for this soap-opera in every country has been over the 42.0 every where, and the closing chapter (in those countries where it has finished) has rated over the 50.0. Politicians, newspeople and the guy in the street, they all got together to watch this truly fabulous TV-program, and forget everydays worries, to laugh with the adventures of Betty and their colleagues. This is not a traditional soap opera, in which you need to be beautiful to have success. In this one, the viewer identifies himself with Betty and all the girls in the "Cuartel de las feas" (The ugliest ones headquarter), in their challenge to probe the world that beauty has nothing to do with success and love.

Being a housewife,I've always watched opera soaps drama from Mexico,Venezuela and Colombia on tv.But this one was really excellent.It makes me excited everyday of what will happened the next episode.My husband hates to watch drama as he always knows what the story line would be like.Yo Soy Betty La Fea really amazed him and at times he's more excited than me.Even my two years old daughter will tell me,"Mummy...Betty!"when the show started.All the casts did a tremendous job especially Betty and Armando.Most Malaysians are talking about how good the show was.Can't wait for the next sequel of Eco Moda 2001 which I've checked on the net!!

I must confess. I despise soap-operas. I hate their characters, and their plots and over all, I hate the fact that there is only one and one retarded story which have told in a zillion different ways usually ending with the same moronic flair. I hate that stuff. If Mexican or Venezuelan, I hate it even more. It came as a surprise to me then, when I found myself actually enjoying one episode of this Colombian soap-opera. I have seen it a couple of times and although I am not "hooked" per se, I find it charming and witty. But why is it good? Well, that's easy, it's not because it is a good novella, it's because it is a comedy disguised as a novella.

Saying that I am RATHER NOT a fan of Latin soap operas is like saying that I am RATHER NOT a pink elephant. Sometimes I just leave my TV on without any special reason, just for having some buzz behind. "Betty" (released as "Ugly girl" in Poland) happened to be that "buzz" and suddenly I found myself turning my head again and again from my computer to my TV. And then I found myself waiting every day for the next chapter of that charming "buzz" :) Maybe this is because "Betty" is more like a comedy than a traditional soap opera. A Cinderella-like story given with a huge dose of humor. Nice characters, funny love story, good dialogues, good music, good actors job - what more do you need when watching a good comedy ? "Betty" did something to me - still being RATHER NOT a fan of soap operas I will always watch at least several episodes before switching my TV off and spreading my opinion about the next stupid opera on TV.

Fernando Gaitan wrote this Colombian novela, YO SOY BETTY LA FEA (I am Betty the Ugly). It stars leading actors, Ana Maria Orozco as Betty the Ugly, Jorge Enrique Abello as Armando Mendoza, her love interest, and a fine cast.

The story is about Betty, an intelligent but unattractive woman, who is unable to find a job mainly because of her looks. She finally finds a lower level position as a secretary to the president of a fashion company.

During her time at the fashion company, Betty works her way from the position as a secretary to an assistant. Later, she becomes the secret owner of the company. In the mean time, Betty is teased and taunted by other staff members. She makes friends with a group of office workers called the Cartel de Feas (The Ugly Women's Group). Gradually, with the help of a friend, Betty's self-confidence and physical appearance improves.

When the company is in serious trouble, Betty is able to rescue the business from failure. Betty helps the company staff and she also falls in love with the young handsome president, Armando, who never notices her. Eventually Betty's smart mind, good heart, character and loyalty catch Armando's attention. Despite Betty's homely appearance, he eventually falls in love with her. However, Armando's affection may come too late for Betty. His previous insensitive actions badly hurt her. Will Betty become successful in her love and professional life? That's for the viewers to find out!

Over 80 million viewers from Colombia and 21 other countries, including the U.S., have enjoyed this ethical story about how courage, inner beauty and brainpower can conquer others' perception of physical looks. BETTY LA FEA is told in such a witty, comical, and sometimes serious manner that you'll find yourself vigorously supporting the heroine, laughing, crying, and shouting at the television screen when you watch it.