Just when I thought I had received all my holiday surprises I opened up this week’s US Weekly to find another surprise. It seems there might be a new face on Ugly Betty. Creator Silvio Horta confirms to Hot Stuff that none other than Lindsay Lohan has been in talks to play Betty’s high school nemesis. After her turn in Mean Girls we know she can tickle our funny bones with her snobby routine.

We’ll just have to wait and see what happens as all plans have been put on hold with the writer’s strike. Although Lohan isn’t scheduled to be a regular character, plans do include her to be on the show for multiple episodes. This is one of the most fashionable casts on TV and if Lohan should come on I know the fashion quotient will probably go up as well. So cross your fingers and shop all your favorite looks from the show now.

Ugly Betty’s Amanda has finally moved from Mode office accessory to a main attraction with her discovery that she is Faye Summers’ daughter. Last night she had her big debut as fashion royalty at Mode’s Black and White Ball. Despite all the time she spent trying to mimic her late mother in a slinky red dress, it’s obvious that Amanda shines best when she’s making moves on her own.

Take a cue from the ultimate “Mode Girl” and step out in jewel tones and sexy peep toe shoes.

Last night’s episode of Ugly Betty proved that when it comes to keeping an office full of fun and excitement, two Suarez’ are better than one. On the first day of his internship, little Justin showed he was made for Mode by donning a pink polo (with the collar turned up, of course!) topped with an argyle sweater vest, khakis, and Converse. Very Ralph Lauren in the Hamptons. Marc better watch out — Justin may be his minion for now, but his enthusiasm and impeccable sense of preppy style may cause Marc to lose the crown as Mode Magazine’s “most fabulous” man. Now, if only Justin could help his poor aunt pull her look together.

It’s basically impossible NOT to love Ugly Betty and last night’s season premiere dispelled any notion of the infamous sophomore slump. The episode was hilarious, bright and touching…all of the qualities that made this show an instant hit.
I visited the set last week and was thrilled to see that the wardrobe department has moved into a space (seriously) comparable to the huge closet at Mode Magazine…funny how an Emmy can bolster the network’s budgets! My favorite outfit from last night’s episode was (of course) Wilhelmina’s cream Prada suit. In real life Vanessa Williams loves wearing the color and Costume Designer Eduardo Castro embraces the philosophy, ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’. Look for some fabulous (think black tie) outfits in the upcoming episodes and brace yourself for a beautifully Ugly Season 2!

I had to laugh when tonight’s Top Chef challenge was to cook to the level of TGI Friday’s. Other cooking shows stick to haute cuisine. Not Top Chef… they know that good food doesn’t have to cost $30/plate. But try to tell that to some of the contestants, right? What was Frank thinking with that Mushroom Fantasy plate? I haven’t seen plating like that since I made Play-Doh food. The haute in haute cuisine may mean “high,” but that doesn’t mean “rises six inches off the plate and resembles Smurf Village.”

Marcel, our man of the diva fit for the evening, managed to be truly mediocre with his dish and over the top with his attitude. While Betty didn’t help her case by jumping on his, at least she saved it for after he was cooking except to the others.

I was totally not surprised that Betty’s plate won. That was a properly updated grilled cheese and tomato soup, perfect for TGI Friday’s menu style. And while Emily’s dish was far better plated than the others in the bottom three, any cook who doesn’t taste her food and balance the salt shouldn’t cook for kids, let alone a professional restaurant. Heck, kids are pickier.

My money is on Mike packing his knives within the next three episodes. Who’s with me?

Last night’s Ugly Betty gave viewers a taste of one of the most hilarious makeovers gone wrong. What was obvious to all viewers was the Bettty’s makeover went downhill fast…with huge hair, tight clothes, bad shoes, and fake nails. What may not have been so obvious was that Costume Designer, Eduardo Castro, and the hair and makuep team chose to juxtapose several of the ‘trademarks’ of a well-groomed fashion insider. Want to look more Wilhelmina and less Betty? Then follow these golden rules of the fashion world. Nails-fashion editors favor nails that are short, rounded, and very pale or very dark. Two major no no’s for fashion insiders are acrylics or french tips. Shoes-height is good (at least poor Betty got that right!) but cheap is not. If you are going to spend money, spend it on your shoes. Many a top fashion editor will be seen in a $30 Gap tee with $400 Louboutins. And finally makeup. Fashion insiders expend enormous amounts of effort (and time and money) to look, well, effortless. So skip the garish eyshadow and fuschia cheeks and focus instead on beautiful skin and natural tones.

If you pay close attention to the new ABC hit Ugly Betty, you’ll notice that many of the items on-set are larger than life. From Wilhelmina’s oversized leather lounge, to Daniel Mead’s giant student-desk lamp, the items on-set are as unique as the show itself.
Last week when I toured the set with Production Director Mark Worthington, he gave me the tons of juicy details about the set. One of my favorites was the oversized wall covering in Daniel loft that we saw on last week’s episode. The wall covering is an actual vintage billboard purchased from Billboards of the Past. A truly unique decorating idea!

The much anticipated show Ugly Betty just premiered on ABC. Produced by Salma Hayek and based on the Colombian Telenovela ‘Yo Soy Betty la Fea”, the show follows the homely but sweet Betty Suarez as she navigates her way through her first real job at a high fashion magazine.

The storyline is predictable. The characters are cliché. And I am completely hooked. The fact that the show doesn’t try to be subtle is exactly what makes it so fresh and it works primarily because the casting is brilliant. America Ferrera is absolutely adorable as the homely but lovable Betty Suarez and Eric Mabius does a fantastic job as her ‘perpetual-bachelor with a twist of boy-next-door’ boss, Daniel Meade.

Here’s a cheat sheet for some of the most obvious satires from the first episode. Betty goes to work at Mode Magazine (Vogue Magazine) after the editor-in-chief Fey Sommers (Anna Wintour) dies. Betty’s first assignment involves her the development of an ad campaign for Fabia (Donatella Versace). Stay tuned for what promises to be a hilarious exposé into the often ridiculous, always entertaining world of high fashion.