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ABC's 'Ugly Betty' Moving to NYC

AP
Posted: 2008-05-13 07:44:32
Filed Under: TV News
NEW YORK (May 13) - "Ugly Betty" is moving back to New York to take advantage of its - lower rent? The ABC show will leave Los Angeles, returning to the city where the pilot was filmed - and where the story takes place - in part because of a 35 percent tax credit offered by the city and state. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Governor David Paterson joined ABC Studios President Mark Pedowitz to announce the move Monday.

"Ugly Betty" stars Emmy winner America Ferrera as Betty Suarez, a young woman from Queens who works for a fashion magazine. Filmed in Manhattan and Queens, the show is expected to create more than 200 full and part-time jobs in the area.

On the Los Angeles end, more than 300 members of the production crew expect to lose their jobs, according to a letter they jointly sent last week to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and other state and local politicians.

"Instead of making good wages and paying our fair share of California state income tax, we will all be collecting Unemployment Benefits," the letter states, adding that "all of our local vendors are losing our business." The letter goes on to implore California political leaders to "do everything in your power to level the playing field" with similar incentives.

In response, Schwarzenegger said Friday that California must increase tax incentives, which have repeatedly failed to clear the Legislature, to prevent further moves.

"I've been trying for four years, since I've gotten to Sacramento, to convince our lawmakers here that it is extremely important to give tax incentives to Hollywood," Schwarzenegger said.

ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Co.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
2008-05-13 06:33:05
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mitcheastmeck122 07:14:16 PM May 21 2008

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they should have reruns

parisfog 03:41:40 AM May 15 2008

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Actually, the show doesn't HAVE to be filmed in NYC. Friends, NYPD Blue, and Gilmore Girls are all examples of shows that took place elsewhere but were filmed successfully in California.

I certainly hope that this show doesn't tank any more than it already is in the ratings. From what I hear with more recent news, there is currently a cast shakeup going on because of this move. According to TV Guide, one of the regular actors on the show does not want to make the move to NYC. (And I'm not talking about Eric Mabius or Rebecca Romijn - although it is confirmed already that Rebecca will become a recurring rather than a regular character next season.) I certainly hope that all of these changes won't hurt the show much.

And razorbkdog - how could you have possibly seen the episode with Lindsay Lohan? The season finale hasn't even aired yet. Are you just referring to the pictures?

andreajesus10 06:30:51 PM May 14 2008

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All I can say: tell me where i can find the ads for people to work on the show??

cuppajavah 08:58:48 AM May 14 2008

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:-)

simplycontactme 06:00:11 AM May 14 2008

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Screw Arnold, he's put us Californian's in even 'worse' condition then Gov. Davis. This guy is a lieing, self serving, cheating moron and is as terrible a govenor as an actor! Actually, he was at least somewhat charming as an actor. However.... not even that anymore.
Your a 'bum' Arnie and you screwed our state and continue to do so. Ya cheated and faked your way as a body builder (Steriod user), faked a career in films not as an actor but a personality. Then you faked your way as our govenor. Your an egotistical greedy attention ***** punk. Choke on your escargo.

razorbkdog 12:47:47 AM May 14 2008

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I LOVE this show!! SO happy they are coming here!!!!! And I really liked, thus far, the episode I'd seen with L. Lohan; very funny, especially during that scene whjen the woman is in labor!!

madcow57 12:34:49 AM May 14 2008

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New York was smart. But California sounds silly wanting to give tax breaks to Hollywood. The industry moved out there almost a hundred years ago for the good weather. That's all the bonus they ought to get.

Also, Betty takes place in New York City so it makes sense for it to be filmed there.

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