Ugly Betty - NEWS ROOM

We all know by now that Ugly Betty is based on one of the most successful telenovelas in history and features numerous winks and homages to the genre in every episode. The most obvious of these is Betty's father Ignacio's obsession with one particular show which we catch glimpses of in every episode. In a charmingly creative move, ABC has decided to launch a new two to four minute show called Vidas de Fuego ('Lives of Fire'). It will air every Thursday on ABC.com before moving to Verizon's V Cast. ABC's Bruce Gersh is enthusiastic that this new project will give 'our loyal fans another way to connect and interact with their favorite ABC program.

The network has promised that this will be the first of two mini-telenovelas which they will broadcast in English translation as part of their impressively expanding internet content. 'Vidas' has six episodes and features real telenovela stars Marlene Favela, Sebastian Rulli, Ninel Conde, Helena Rojo and Eduardo Rodriguez. The show will feature the story of a priest's secret love affair with a beautiful pregnant maid. It takes place on the Rivera family ranch where Sofia Rivera is strategically seducing her stepson to gain control of the family's vast fortune. This is part of a whole new trend in serialized dramas which is developing across wireless networks. Currently, Alamo Heights has premiered a 'cybernovela' which will be broadcast as 40 seven minute episodes that will be broadcast on mobile phones as well as through podcast.

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