I'm Coming Out (Ugly Betty)
Encyclopedia
"I'm Coming Out" is the fourteenth episode from the dramedy series Ugly Betty
, which aired February 1, 2007. The episode's title comes from the 1980 Diana Ross
song of the same name
. It was written by James D. Parriott
and directed by Wendey Stanzler
.
in New York and Betty is hustling to ensure "MODE's" runway show goes off without a hitch. But to Betty's dismay, Daniel offers a now-unemployed Hilda a job helping out with the show. Betty is not too happy working alongside her sister because Hilda has taken the spotlight away from Betty. Because of their previous experiences which resulted in Betty losing jobs when they were working together, Betty tries to keep Hilda out of sight by giving her jobs where she won't be seen. However, those attempts fail miserably. On top of that, Justin wants to tag along to the event too.
At the event Henry tells Betty about the message he left with Hilda—which Betty never received—and the tensions escalate between the sisters. As Betty sees Hilda working as a hairstylist, a war of words ensues. Betty then fires her sister after a hairspray fiasco and later sees Hilda kissing Daniel. When Betty tells her the reason that she didn't want Hilda working with her, Hilda assures her that she's not interested in stealing her sister's spotlight and offers an apology for not telling Betty about the phone call. She explains that she was just trying to protect Betty but realizes Betty can take care of herself. Betty in turn tells Hilda that she might have a future in Cosmetology.
Back at the Suarez home, Ignacio is confused to see that Constance forgot to turn in his paperwork. The visit is made worse when things become more personal after Constance breaks down and starts crying, telling Ignacio about her breakup with her now ex-boyfriend. When Ignacio later tells a visiting Walter, who's an eyewitness to what is happening (after Constance shows up with groceries and cooks them gumbo) about this, Walter suggests he calls Constance's ex, and try to get them back together, to get Constance's attention off Ignacio. After the ex shows up, Ignacio learns from him that Constance has a habit of seducing male clients in order to get green cards, and suggests that Ignacio go along, which is how the ex got his.
In other scenarios, Wilhelmina is introduced to a new "cosmetic technique" (using "duck sauce") after a visiting Fabia criticizes her looks and calls her "Wrinkle-mina." But when Wilhelmina wakes up and sees the results, she is in shock and forces Marc to be her "Seeing-eye gay." She dons a pair of black glasses, leaving her blind as a bat
due to the swelling...not to mention being fooled by Fabia, who laughs after seeing that Wilhelmina took her phony advice.
As Christina prepares for the debut of her very own designs, she is miffed at why Wilhelmina finally chose her. Wilhelmina then tells her that one of the models will be changed for the finale in favor of a last minute replacement (Alexis).
Marc and Amanda resume their scheming ways in a mission to steal what will be the season's hottest fashion item. Marc is reluctant to let Amanda in, but when he is forced by Wilhelmina (who is later using Justin in place of Mark) to stay by her side he lets Amanda in on the details, leading a frenzied scramble to nab the must-have item. The two decide that it is a fur mimi skirt, and the only way to get their hands on it is for Marc to get the model wearing it to take it off.
Meanwhile, Daniel is moved by his father's decision to hand over the reins of Meade Publications, when a visit from an old friend coaxes him into his old ways. At the event Daniel is tempted by his friend to score with a hottie and when he sees a stunning face [Alexis] show up, he attempts to score with it. The two talk, and Alexis shocks Daniel by revealing that "Alexis" used to be his brother Alex, but had gender-reassignment surgery and is now living as a woman. He claims he always felt like he was in the wrong skin growing up, and tells Daniel to look into his eyes, saying "That's the only thing they couldn't change." Daniel is very upset over this revelation, as the family mourned for Alex, and thinks about him every day. Daniel also blames Alex's "death" for Claire's struggle with alcoholism, and a war of words heats up between the two. Daniel later takes off and grabs a bottle to calm down and is joined by Hilda after her fight with Betty. When they met they started to talk about what happened to each other, and ended it with a surprising kiss that Betty was shocked to walk in on.
As the chaos ensues among the individuals, nothing can prepare them for the frenzy that follows when the final set of the "MODE" show, featuring Christina's designs, is abruptly halted by Alex finally coming out of the woodwork to show Bradford his "daughter" and to watch him get arrested. This immediately caused Christina to lash out at Wilhelmina, Justin and Hilda to take photos, Marc and Amanda's jaws to drop, and Daniel to ask Betty what it's like to have a sister.
The episode added more background to the Suarez family. Betty notes that she and Hilda worked together at "Lemon Ice" (Mentioned earlier by Ignacio in "Queens for a Day
" as being owned by Vincent Binachi's family) and points to important dates in their family time line; In 1991, Betty won a science fair and Hilda won Miss Junior Teen Queens. In 1994, Betty got straight A's in school and Hilda got pregnant.
There were also a homage to fashion designers mentioned in this episode, which included Karl Lagerfeld
, Sean Combs
, and Betsey Johnson
. Victoria Beckham
, who was also mentioned, would appear as herself in A Nice Day for a Posh Wedding
. And Eternal 18, the company that Marc was going to sell Fashion Week's "hot" item to, is a spoof of a real company, Forever 21
.
This episode featured a special guest appearance by Katharine McPhee
, who played herself. In the cameo, Betty mentioned that she had "McPheever", until she learned that McPhee wanted Betty to give an autographed copy of her CD to Hilda, whom Betty was still mad at the time. It also was the first of two appearances by Tim Gunn
, who would appear in the following episode.
, Tanner Stransky notes "Basically, I'm saying — as if it hadn't already been established — that this show is really hitting its stride (on the runway, too), and this was another stellar episode. Wouldn't you agree, Betty fans?"
submitted this episode for consideration in the category of "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
" on her behalf for the 2007 Emmy Awards
. Gina Gershon
also chose this episode for submission in consideration of her work in the category of "Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
". It was also nominated for an Emmy for best costume design and hair design.
for DJ/remixers Armand Van Helden
and A-Trak
's collaboration project upon their formation in 2009.
Ugly Betty
Ugly Betty is an American comedy-drama television series developed by Silvio Horta, which premiered on ABC on September 28, 2006, and ended on April 14, 2010. The series revolves around the character Betty Suarez and is based on Fernando Gaitán's Colombian telenovela soap opera Yo soy Betty, la fea...
, which aired February 1, 2007. The episode's title comes from the 1980 Diana Ross
Diana Ross
Diana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
song of the same name
I'm Coming Out
"I'm Coming Out" is a hit single released by Motown singer Diana Ross in 1980, written and produced by Chic members Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers for her album diana .-Background:...
. It was written by James D. Parriott
James D. Parriott
James D. Parriott is an award winning American writer, director, and producer, with his own self named production company....
and directed by Wendey Stanzler
Wendey Stanzler
Wendey Stanzler is an American television editor, director and producer from Flint, Michigan, where she was co-editor and associate producer of Michael Moore's documentary, Roger & Me in 1990. She also co-edited Moore's only fiction film, Canadian Bacon...
.
Plot
It's Fashion WeekFashion Week
A fashion week is a fashion industry event, lasting approximately one week, which allows fashion designers, brands or "houses" to display their latest collections in runway shows and buyers and the media to take a look at the latest trends. Most importantly, these events let the industry know...
in New York and Betty is hustling to ensure "MODE's" runway show goes off without a hitch. But to Betty's dismay, Daniel offers a now-unemployed Hilda a job helping out with the show. Betty is not too happy working alongside her sister because Hilda has taken the spotlight away from Betty. Because of their previous experiences which resulted in Betty losing jobs when they were working together, Betty tries to keep Hilda out of sight by giving her jobs where she won't be seen. However, those attempts fail miserably. On top of that, Justin wants to tag along to the event too.
At the event Henry tells Betty about the message he left with Hilda—which Betty never received—and the tensions escalate between the sisters. As Betty sees Hilda working as a hairstylist, a war of words ensues. Betty then fires her sister after a hairspray fiasco and later sees Hilda kissing Daniel. When Betty tells her the reason that she didn't want Hilda working with her, Hilda assures her that she's not interested in stealing her sister's spotlight and offers an apology for not telling Betty about the phone call. She explains that she was just trying to protect Betty but realizes Betty can take care of herself. Betty in turn tells Hilda that she might have a future in Cosmetology.
Back at the Suarez home, Ignacio is confused to see that Constance forgot to turn in his paperwork. The visit is made worse when things become more personal after Constance breaks down and starts crying, telling Ignacio about her breakup with her now ex-boyfriend. When Ignacio later tells a visiting Walter, who's an eyewitness to what is happening (after Constance shows up with groceries and cooks them gumbo) about this, Walter suggests he calls Constance's ex, and try to get them back together, to get Constance's attention off Ignacio. After the ex shows up, Ignacio learns from him that Constance has a habit of seducing male clients in order to get green cards, and suggests that Ignacio go along, which is how the ex got his.
In other scenarios, Wilhelmina is introduced to a new "cosmetic technique" (using "duck sauce") after a visiting Fabia criticizes her looks and calls her "Wrinkle-mina." But when Wilhelmina wakes up and sees the results, she is in shock and forces Marc to be her "Seeing-eye gay." She dons a pair of black glasses, leaving her blind as a bat
Bat
Bats are mammals of the order Chiroptera "hand" and pteron "wing") whose forelimbs form webbed wings, making them the only mammals naturally capable of true and sustained flight. By contrast, other mammals said to fly, such as flying squirrels, gliding possums, and colugos, glide rather than fly,...
due to the swelling...not to mention being fooled by Fabia, who laughs after seeing that Wilhelmina took her phony advice.
As Christina prepares for the debut of her very own designs, she is miffed at why Wilhelmina finally chose her. Wilhelmina then tells her that one of the models will be changed for the finale in favor of a last minute replacement (Alexis).
Marc and Amanda resume their scheming ways in a mission to steal what will be the season's hottest fashion item. Marc is reluctant to let Amanda in, but when he is forced by Wilhelmina (who is later using Justin in place of Mark) to stay by her side he lets Amanda in on the details, leading a frenzied scramble to nab the must-have item. The two decide that it is a fur mimi skirt, and the only way to get their hands on it is for Marc to get the model wearing it to take it off.
Meanwhile, Daniel is moved by his father's decision to hand over the reins of Meade Publications, when a visit from an old friend coaxes him into his old ways. At the event Daniel is tempted by his friend to score with a hottie and when he sees a stunning face [Alexis] show up, he attempts to score with it. The two talk, and Alexis shocks Daniel by revealing that "Alexis" used to be his brother Alex, but had gender-reassignment surgery and is now living as a woman. He claims he always felt like he was in the wrong skin growing up, and tells Daniel to look into his eyes, saying "That's the only thing they couldn't change." Daniel is very upset over this revelation, as the family mourned for Alex, and thinks about him every day. Daniel also blames Alex's "death" for Claire's struggle with alcoholism, and a war of words heats up between the two. Daniel later takes off and grabs a bottle to calm down and is joined by Hilda after her fight with Betty. When they met they started to talk about what happened to each other, and ended it with a surprising kiss that Betty was shocked to walk in on.
As the chaos ensues among the individuals, nothing can prepare them for the frenzy that follows when the final set of the "MODE" show, featuring Christina's designs, is abruptly halted by Alex finally coming out of the woodwork to show Bradford his "daughter" and to watch him get arrested. This immediately caused Christina to lash out at Wilhelmina, Justin and Hilda to take photos, Marc and Amanda's jaws to drop, and Daniel to ask Betty what it's like to have a sister.
Production
This is the first full episode in which Alexis Meade (Rebecca Romijn) appears. Also, this episode revealed Christina's last name, McKinney. The episode features the first appearance of the telenovelita, "Muchas Muchachas," on the family's TV set.The episode added more background to the Suarez family. Betty notes that she and Hilda worked together at "Lemon Ice" (Mentioned earlier by Ignacio in "Queens for a Day
Queens For A Day
"Queens for a Day" is the third episode in the American dramedy series Ugly Betty, which aired on October 12, 2006. Although this is the third episode overall in the series, it is listed as the second episode on the first season DVD release, while "The Box and the Bunny" was listed as episode...
" as being owned by Vincent Binachi's family) and points to important dates in their family time line; In 1991, Betty won a science fair and Hilda won Miss Junior Teen Queens. In 1994, Betty got straight A's in school and Hilda got pregnant.
There were also a homage to fashion designers mentioned in this episode, which included Karl Lagerfeld
Karl Lagerfeld
Karl Lagerfeld is a German fashion designer, artist and photographer based in Paris. He has collaborated on a variety of fashion and art related projects, most notably as head designer and creative director for the fashion house Chanel...
, Sean Combs
Sean Combs
Sean John Combs , also known by his stage names Diddy and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award. He was originally...
, and Betsey Johnson
Betsey Johnson
Betsey Johnson is an American fashion designer best known for her feminine and whimsical designs. Many of her designs are considered "over the top" and embellished...
. Victoria Beckham
Victoria Beckham
Victoria Caroline Beckham is an English singer-songwriter, dancer, model, actress, fashion designer and businesswoman. In the late 1990s, Beckham rose to fame with the all-female pop group Spice Girls and was dubbed Posh Spice by the July 1996 issue of the British pop music magazine Top of the Pops...
, who was also mentioned, would appear as herself in A Nice Day for a Posh Wedding
A Nice Day for a Posh Wedding
"A Nice Day for a Posh Wedding" is the seventh episode of season 2 from the dramedy series Ugly Betty. It is the 30th episode in the series, which aired on November 8, 2007. The episode was written by Silvio Horta & Marco Pennette and directed by James Hayman...
. And Eternal 18, the company that Marc was going to sell Fashion Week's "hot" item to, is a spoof of a real company, Forever 21
Forever 21
Forever 21 is an American chain of clothing retailers with branches in major cities in The United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East that offers fashion and accessories for young women and men....
.
Casting
Michael Urie (Marc) and Kevin Sussman (Walter) are now listed in the opening credits with the rest of the regular cast, no longer as guest stars. However by the following episode Sussman would be dropped from the cast.This episode featured a special guest appearance by Katharine McPhee
Katharine McPhee
Katharine Hope McPhee is an American pop singer, songwriter, actress, model, and television personality. She gained fame as a contestant on the fifth season of the Fox reality show American Idol in 2006, eventually finishing as the runner-up.Her self-titled debut album was released on RCA Records...
, who played herself. In the cameo, Betty mentioned that she had "McPheever", until she learned that McPhee wanted Betty to give an autographed copy of her CD to Hilda, whom Betty was still mad at the time. It also was the first of two appearances by Tim Gunn
Tim Gunn
Timothy M. "Tim" Gunn is an American fashion consultant and television personality. He was on the faculty of Parsons The New School for Design from 1982 to 2007 and was chair of fashion design at the school from August 2000 to March 2007, after which he joined Liz Claiborne as its chief creative...
, who would appear in the following episode.
Reception
In a review from Entertainment WeeklyEntertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
, Tanner Stransky notes "Basically, I'm saying — as if it hadn't already been established — that this show is really hitting its stride (on the runway, too), and this was another stellar episode. Wouldn't you agree, Betty fans?"
Awards
Ana OrtizAna Ortiz
Ana Ortíz is an American actress and singer. She is a native of Manhattan, but was raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was a regular cast-member on the ABC comedy-drama series Ugly Betty, in which she plays the title character's older sister, Hilda Suarez...
submitted this episode for consideration in the category of "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress - Comedy Series
This is a list of winners of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.-Superlatives:-1950s:*1953: Vivian Vance - I Love Lucy as Ethel Mertz** Audrey Meadows - The Jackie Gleason Show as Alice Kramden...
" on her behalf for the 2007 Emmy Awards
59th Primetime Emmy Awards
The 59th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards were held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California on September 16, 2007 and were televised live on Fox at 8:00 p.m. EDT for the first time in high definition...
. Gina Gershon
Gina Gershon
Gina L. Gershon is an American film, television and stage actress, singer and author, known for her roles in the films Cocktail , Showgirls , Bound , Best of the Best 3: No Turning Back , Face/Off , The Insider , Demonlover , Category 7: The End of the World , P.S...
also chose this episode for submission in consideration of her work in the category of "Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress - Comedy Series
This is a list of winners of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series.-1970s:Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Drama Series...
". It was also nominated for an Emmy for best costume design and hair design.
In Popular Culture
The word "Duck Sauce," which was mentioned in this episode, would later become the inspired nameDuck Sauce (band)
Duck Sauce is an American-Canadian DJ duo consisting of Armand Van Helden and A-Trak. The duo are signed to Fool's Gold Records.-History:The pair aim to produce disco house tracks that will appeal to club DJs....
for DJ/remixers Armand Van Helden
Armand Van Helden
Armand Van Helden is a record producer, DJ and remixer whose biggest commercial successes came from his remixes of the 1996 Tori Amos song "Professional Widow" , which reached number 1 in the UK Singles Chart in January 1997, and his own track "U Don't Know Me ", which went to number 1...
and A-Trak
A-Trak
A-Trak is a Montreal-born DJ, turntablist, and owner of the record label Fool's Gold.- Career :...
's collaboration project upon their formation in 2009.
Also starring
- Christopher GorhamChristopher GorhamChristopher David Gorham is an American actor.- Early life :Gorham was born in Fresno, California to David Gorham, a certified public accountant and Cathryn Gorham, a school nurse. He attended high school at Roosevelt School of the Arts and graduated from UCLA with a BA in Film & Theater Arts...
(Henry) - Octavia SpencerOctavia SpencerOctavia L. Spencer is an American actress. She is perhaps best known for her role on Ugly Betty as Constance Grady, the INS Agent turned stalker of Betty's father, Ignacio Suarez and in the 2011 movie The Help as Minny....
(Constance Grady) - Kevin SussmanKevin SussmanKevin Sussman is an American actor of television and film perhaps best known for his recurring roles Stuart the comic book store owner on "The Big Bang Theory" and Walter on the ABC comedy-drama Ugly Betty....
(Walter)
Guest stars
- Bailey ChaseBailey ChaseBailey Chase is a stage and television actor known for his role as Butch Ada in the television series Saving Grace, his recurring roles as Graham Miller in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Christopher "Chris" Robert Hughes in the soap opera As the World Turns and Beckett 'Becks' Scott on Ugly...
(Becks) - Gina GershonGina GershonGina L. Gershon is an American film, television and stage actress, singer and author, known for her roles in the films Cocktail , Showgirls , Bound , Best of the Best 3: No Turning Back , Face/Off , The Insider , Demonlover , Category 7: The End of the World , P.S...
(Fabia) - Tim GunnTim GunnTimothy M. "Tim" Gunn is an American fashion consultant and television personality. He was on the faculty of Parsons The New School for Design from 1982 to 2007 and was chair of fashion design at the school from August 2000 to March 2007, after which he joined Liz Claiborne as its chief creative...
(himself, as "Fashion TV" reporter) - Katharine McPheeKatharine McPheeKatharine Hope McPhee is an American pop singer, songwriter, actress, model, and television personality. She gained fame as a contestant on the fifth season of the Fox reality show American Idol in 2006, eventually finishing as the runner-up.Her self-titled debut album was released on RCA Records...
(herself)