PRESS RELEASE - ENTERTAINMENT - "UGLY BETTY" GETS THE CALL TO LEAD-OFF ABC'S THURSDAY NIGHTS

ABC announced today it is shifting the hour-long series "Ugly Betty" to Thursdays, leading into the critically acclaimed hit, "Grey's Anatomy." "Ugly Betty" will premiere THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

"Ugly Betty," the highly anticipated American take on the international phenomenon from executive producer Salma Hayek, has been well received by critics, advertisers and others who have previewed the pilot. Encouraged by the early positive response, ABC will move "Ugly Betty" from its previously announced Friday timeslot (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET).

Comedies "Big Day" and "Notes from the Underbelly" will now kick off later in the fall after Dancing With the Stars completes its run.

America's Funniest Home Videos will continue to do double duty on Fridays and Sundays, as it has been doing since March.