'Ugly Betty' TV comedy finds beauty at Golden Globes

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Jan 16 (Reuters) ''Ugly Betty'' became the Cinderella story of the Golden Globe Awards, winning two awards including best television comedy and best actress in a TV comedy for its star, America Ferrera.

Hospital programme ''Grey's Anatomy'' walked off with the prize for best TV drama at the widely watched awards show yesterday, and ''Elizabeth I'' swept the miniseries and made-for-TV movie category, claiming three prizes.

But it was ''Ugly Betty,'' a show about braces-wearing Betty (Ferrera) who takes an assistant's job at a big-time fashion magazine, that was the surprise in TV because it is a new show competing against heavyweights like ''Desperate Housewives'' and ''The Office.'' Ferrera, 22, began shedding tears almost as soon as she stood up from her table in the audience of the swanky Hollywood awards show to accept her trophy. But onstage, she spoke up for all the plain but smart office workers looking to make their way up the corporate ladder on the strength of their brains more than their beauty.

''This character ... is truly bringing a new face to television and in such a beautiful, beautiful message about beauty that lies deeper than what we see.'' The US adaptation of the hit Colombian telenovela, ''Yo Soy Betty, La Fea'' was produced by Mexican actress Salma Hayek, who told reporters backstage it is a highly identifiable tale for all audiences, regardless of country or culture.

''It is a fish out of water story. I know that works in the United States. It's a culture that is completely obsessed with the perception of an image -- so absolutely it would work in the United States,'' Hayek said.

The Golden Globe Awards are given out annually by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and while they are closely followed for their film honors during Oscar season, they traditionally shine a spotlight on new TV series and actors.

Actress Kyra Sedgwick won the award for best actress in a TV drama for her role as a deputy police chief and expert interrogator in ''The Closer,'' and Hugh Laurie was named best actor in a drama playing a stubborn but brilliant doctor in hospital program, ''House.'' Veteran actor Alec Baldwin won the award for best actor in a comedy in ''30 Rock.'' ''Elizabeth I'' earned three awards including best miniseries or made-for-TV movie. Its star Helen Mirren, who portrayed the British monarch, was best actress in a miniseries or TV movie and Jeremy Irons was best supporting actor in that category.

Finally, Bill Nighy won the award for best actor in a miniseries or TV movie in ''Gideon's Daughter,'' and Emily Blunt was best actress in that arena, also for ''Gideon's Daughter.'' Reuters BDP GC1232