'Ugly Betty' moving to NYC

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

11:10 AM EDT, May 12, 2008

actress America Ferrera as Betty in a scene from the "East Side Story" episode of "Ugly Betty." California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says California must increase tax incentives to keep film and television productions in Hollywood, after the studio behind the hit show "Ugly Betty" announced it was moving production to New York. (AP Photo/ABC, Dean Hendler)

"Ugly Betty" is moving to New York.

That's the word from Gov. David Paterson, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and ABC Studios President Mark Pedowitz.

They said Monday that the popular ABC drama will be taking advantage of a 35 percent tax credit from the city and state when it makes the move from Los Angeles to the Big Apple.

"Ugly Betty" is the story of an ordinary girl from Queens, starring Emmy-winner America Ferrera as Betty Suarez. It will be filmed in Manhattan in Queens, and create more than 200 full and part-time jobs.

Other hit television shows that film in New York City are "Law & Order," "30 Rock," and "Gossip Girl." New York City's film and television production industry employs 100,000 people and generates $5 billion a year to the city's economy.

------ On the Net: www.ny.gov/governor/press www.nylovesfilm.com. AP-ES-05-12-08 1041EDT