Did we like it?

This story of a geeky woman who gets the better of New York fashionistas is a lot of fish-out-of-water fun. After all the hype, the pilot was a little bit of an anti-climax but did lay the foundations of a series we’ll follow slavishly.

What was good about it?

• America Ferrera’s charming performance as ungainly Betty. As soon as she emerged with her lank hair, bold as brass braces and 1960s specs, she won us over.

• Eric Mabius as Daniel Meade, the editor-in-chief of Mode magazine (the fashion industry bible, apparently). He has a certain hunk appeal and shaped up nicely as the feckless fool who benefits from Betty’s down-to-earth nature.

• Vanessa Williams as Daniel’s sensationally diva-ish, devilish colleague Wilhelmina Slater and her equally nasty PA Marc. There was bundles of bitchiness throughout the show, but that pair were by far the nastiest. Loved it.

• We also loved Betty’s sneering sister Hilda and her camp little nephew Justin.

• We loved the contrast between Betty’s dowdy neighbourhood and the glamorous world she was catapulted into.

• The Collision photoshoot for Fabia’s cosmetics. Some v hot models on show.

What was bad about it?

• Ashley Jensen’s performance in the pilot as seamstress Christina was a bit scatty – and brief. Maybe we’ll enjoy her more as the show progresses.

• Does Alan ‘Jim Robinson’ Dale have to turn up on every US drama?

• Betty’s slapsticky moments got a bit repetitive.