Silvio Horta Says ABC Was Fine With Justin's "Ugly Betty" Kiss

In a rather interesting interview with out Ugly Betty creator Silvio Horta, Deadline discusses the shrinking representation of Hispanic characters on broadcast television. He also says that of all the storylines on Ugly Betty, the only one that made the network squirm was the transgender storyline. At least it’s good to know that the gay teen love story for Justin was good from the start.

Entertainment: Did the 'Ugly Betty' finale leave you wanting more?

VIA NY Post:

Series finales are a tricky thing -- for every brilliant "Six Feet Under" there are a million D.O.A. endings. Last night, "Ugly Betty" attempted to earn a place in TV history but I fear their last episode will be quickly forgotten by the fans who actually stuck around to see how it all played out.

To recap: in the amazing weeks that preceded, Betty took a job in England without telling Daniel, Hilda got married, Justin came out, Marc began to wax poetically about his failed life, Wilhelmina schemed a scheme and Amanda unwittingly found her father.

It seemed that tidy bows were the order of the evening as nearly every story got a picture perfect resolution. Hilda, Bobby, Justin and gay BF Austin will open a PFLAG chapter in Manhattan, Amanda got the fatherly hug of her dreams, Marc found his happily every after in the arms of Troy and Willy not only deduced a plan to reunite with Connor but became the sole editor-in-chief of Mode.

It was as if the whole episode was one long fantasy sequence where Oprah made each characters wildest dream come true. And infuriatingly so. Not that I needed to fast-forward and experience each character's death, but on a show that always favored high drama and cool camp, I was saddened to see everyone get such an expected ending.

The biggest red bow, however, was saved for Betty. After a momentary bitch fit on Daniel's part, she was allowed to take her job in London. This led to a touching goodbye scene outside the Suarez house -- mostly because you could tell all the tears were real. I'm guessing this was the final scene America Ferrera, Ana Ortiz, Mark Indelicato and Tony Plana filmed together because each was a blubbery mess. Yours truly included.

Once Betty arrived in the UK, a sassy, working girl montage ensued -- but that, much like everything else in her life -- was interrupted by Daniel. See back in America, Daniel couldn't bring himself to say goodbye after Claire put his romantic feelings for Betty on blast. So I worried that when he hopped across the pond, it was to make some kind of grand gesture. An "I have always loved you, I was just too blind to see if before" kind of thing.

Thankfully this didn't happen. It was, however, implied that romance could be in the cards since Daniel plans to stay in England and asked Betty to dinner that night. But audiences were left to draw that conclusion for themselves.

Thankfully, the show saved the best for last.

As Betty headed back to work (her "off into the sunset" moment), the camera panned up for a scenic shot and "UGLY BETTY" appeared in big red letters. Then the "Ugly" faded away, simply leaving "Betty" to stand on its own now that Betty was standing on her own. If only the whole episode had been this pitch-perfect.

ENTERTAINMENT: Cast Says Good-Bye To ‘Ugly Betty’

After four memorable years brightening up our TV sets, ABC’s groundbreaking series ‘Ugly Betty‘ is airing its series finale Wednesday night at 10pm ET. Fancast caught up recently with some of the cast to share their thoughts on a variety of topics, including the legacy of the show, and just who our fearless heroine should end up with.

Vanessa Williams (Wilhelmina)

Legacy Of ‘Ugly Betty’:
It’s kind of heartbreaking because we still love it – we’re not ready to have it end. We think it’s premature. We know there are a lot of people that love our show that want to see us continue. We kinda feel like the underdogs here – which is basically what Betty is about. She’s somebody who has integrity, somebody who thinks out of the box. Which is I think indicative of our show, we were unique. That’s why unique people liked us. The way the show was shot, the banter, the dialogue we got a chance to bring to life every week. Betty will be missed, and I think there’s going to be a vacuum in television programming because we are unique, and I think there is a spot for us.

Who Should Betty End Up With?
Betty is such a trailblazer, I don’t know if she’ll end up with anybody.

What’s Next?
A Broadway show that is in previews now and opens April 22nd – Sondheim on Sondheim.

Mark Indelicato (Justin)

Legacy of ‘Ugly Betty’:
This show will live forever. It reached out to a lot of people. It’s hard to explain, but it will be remembered for being different. And being different is OK. I know that’s kind of a cliché thing to say, but Betty has really shown that. You can be successful in whatever you do and however you look like, you can still make it. I think that’s really the message of Ugly Betty. You just have to make it through, because you know you’re destined for bigger and better things.

Who Should Betty End Up With?
I don’t think that Betty should end up with anyone in the end. That’s not really what the show’s about. ‘Betty’ is about her being an independent woman. It also stands for a woman doesn’t need a man to make her who she is. She’s an independent woman doing it for herself, not for anyone else.

What’s Next?
I’ll go to college I guess. I have to focus on that – let’s be real.

Ana Ortiz (Hilda)

Legacy of ‘Ugly Betty’:
I think there’s a style to the show that hasn’t ever been seen before. It’s eye-candy. You turn it on and it’s ‘Ugly Betty,’ there’s no denying the look of our show, the aesthetic. I also think that this is – it sounds corny – but there is a message that comes along with Betty that you haven’t seen in awhile. It’s really uplifting, rooting for the underdog, but it also tackles social issues. We tackled health care, we tackled single motherhood.

Who Should Betty End Up With?
I think that Betty is a young woman and she should end up with herself and following her dream. She’s way too young to settle and she has a huge career in front of her. Men will always be there.

What’s Next?
There are many opportunities out there for me – the sky is the limit!

Tony Plana (Ignacio)

Legacy Of ‘Ugly Betty’:
Our show is one of the most significant series in the history of television. Primarily for establishing such an unique character on TV for the first time. We’ve never had anyone like her – especially when you consider the unique ethnic element of her character and her iconoclastic impact on feminine and cultural issues. Most of all, I think it’s been the international impact that this show’s been able to achieve, and the establishment of a Latino family that’s multi-dimensional, and very human, and I think very memorable. It also evolved the dramedy genre to a whole different level, really re-defined it stylistically and in terms of content. I don’t think there’s ever been a series like it, maybe not since ‘All in the Family,’ for a series that had such a significant and controversial contribution.

Who Should Betty End Up With?
I want to see her end up with herself, as a stronger believer in who she is, more mature, more complete and more confident.

What’s Next?
I’m going to do a play in Chicago based on a wonderful character – a poet and a nun called Sor Juana – a 16th century nun that is also iconic in terms of women’s issues. So I’m excited about developing that show in Chicago at the Goodman and maybe taking it here to New York.

ENTERTAINMENT: Justin comes out!

Via Greg in Hollywood:

Just enjoyed the heck out of Ugly Betty last night which was highlighted by Justin (Mark Indelicato) coming out to his family by dancing with his boyfriend Austin at his mother’s wedding.

It was so, so sweet.

Justin’s family looked on lovingly and allowed the teenager to come out on his own terms. It was in contrast to an earlier scene where the family found out about Austin through Hilda’s fiance, Bobby, who had seen the two boys kissing.

Hilda calls Betty and says excitedly: “Betty! Justin’s got a boyfriend!” The family then plans a surprise coming out party: “This one of the most important things that will ever happen to Justin and he needs to know that we accept him.”

Ignacio excitedly shows Betty the “starter kit” with info on PFLAG and GSLEN.

Mark (Michael Urie) bursts in and tells them Justin might not be ready and tells them he will come out when he comes out.

The episode also featured the return of Henry (Christopher Gorham) which is such a treat.
But Henry and Betty both realize that the timing is not right for them to resume their relationship after Henry gets a job and is returning to New York. But they are going to remain friends. It is Daniel who Betty might have a future with at this point as he begins to finally realize that Betty really is his true love.

It was also fun to see Mark set up with a soap actor played by Bryan Batt who may end up being Amanda’s father!

News Flash: Mark Indelicato takes to Twitter to reflect on the end of his memorable four-year run on “Ugly Betty”

He’s grown up before our eyes during four seasons on ABC’s Ugly Betty as the wonderfully spirited – and gay – Justin Suarez.

Mark Indelicato, whose character shared a sweet kiss with a classmate a few weeks back, has shot his last episode of the wonderful series that has always been the epitome of diversity.
Here are his thoughts on the experience which he posted Thursday night on Twitter:

Well this is it. I have discovered not only a character in this process of Ugly Betty, but I have discovered myself. With these amazing talented people I have shared so many memories and experiences that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I don’t look at this as a sad thing, I look at this as a stepping stone. I am so proud of this show and proud to say that I was and always was a part of it. The Friends I made will last me a lifetime and so will this experience. I love my cast and crew but most of all I love the fans of Ugly Betty.

News Flash: Justin kisses a boy on “Ugly Betty”

I’m already sad that Ugly Betty has been cancelled after four seasons. It just seems like such a premature end for a show that still has so much to offer.

Now I’m even more sad because on last night’s episode, Betty’s fabulous nephew Justin (Mark Indelicanto) shared a sweet kiss with a boy! I guess Justin will have to grow up in our minds instead of on our television screens. I really see Mark acting in Gay indie films in the near future.