TV Networks Pinning Hopes on Telenovelas

Will Ugly Betty mark the beginning of the telenovelaization of American television?

Today's medianote comes from a recent National Public Radio story about English-language telenovelas that are hitting the American airwaves this month. The story does a good job of pointing out that Hollywood is perfectly willing to adapt everything from story lines to production techniques from Latin America, India and elsewhere.

Most of the conversation centered around Ugly Betty, which will debut on ABC on Sept. 28. Several students felt that the series may briefly become popular because of its novelty, but that ultimately telenovelas will not become as huge a TV trend as reality shows.

***HAPPY HUNDREDTH This is my 100th posting to Club Medianote. Doing this blog has been interesting and fun. I'm ready for more.