Eric Mabius
Did Ugly Betty's "Alternative Lifestyle" Storylines Lead to Its Cancellation?
By Luke Kerr on May 31, 2011
What really led to the demise of ABC’s Ugly Betty? In an interview with Zap2it, former Ugly Betty star Eric Mabius alleges an ABC executive–no longer with the network–had a problem with the show’s various "alternative-lifestyle” storylines. According to the article, the executive was responsible for the show's time slot changes and lack of promotion.
"I think there was a little bit too much alternative-lifestyle humor for a certain executive, but despite having no support from certain people, the fans really made a difference. The universality of Erthe topic and the nature of what was portrayed on the show were reflective of how we felt about each other as human beings."
Zap2it reports,
Mabius says the executive in question was uncomfortable with the ongoing story line about Betty's teenage nephew, Justin, and his awakening gay identity, but the same man also was unhappy with Michael Urie's giddily over-the-top work as Marc, Wilhelmina Slater's (Vanessa Williams) flamboyant assistant, despite the fact that the character was a huge fan favorite.
Read the entire article at Zap2it. Mabius will next appear on the BBC America sci-fi series Outcasts. It premieres on June 18. Watch a promo for Outcasts after the jump!
