by Tom on April 23rd, 2009

ABC doled out some early pickups for next fall today, and Ugly Betty was amongst them! Depending on how you look at it, it was a surprise, yet it was not a surprise.

It wasn’t as much of a surprise to those who have been paying attention to what the ABC execs have been saying. The surprise (at least to me), is that the show was included in early pickups before the “up fronts”, a distinction usually reserved for the strongest performing shows.

Along with Betty, in the announcement today were renewals for such stalwarts as Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy, Brothers and Sisters and Private Practice - as well as Lost, which will have its final season next year.

Also according to Variety, unscripted shows Dancing with the Stars, The Bachelor, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, America’s Funniest Home Videos, Wife Swap and Supernanny are a lock for 2009-2010.

Still on the bubble is Samantha Who?, although it’s widely believed that it will get one more season. Better Off Ted is also on the bubble, along with Castle, Cupid, and The Unusuals.

What I find most encouraging about this renewal for Ugly Betty is that it puts them within a season of being eligible for syndication (although the formula is off by a few episodes because of the WGA strike). This makes the likelihood of a fifth season of Ugly Betty much more likely, barring any further deterioration in the ratings. But, I get ahead of myself.

So, break out the Betty dance, she’s been renewed!!! Woohoo!

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