Behind the Scenes Shuffle on "Ugly Betty"

The two men who wrote, directed or executive produced a number of notable episodes of ABC's award-winning comedy "Ugly Betty" (including Wilhelmina's over-the-top wedding event) were fired. What does that mean for the celebrity-heavy dramedy?

Executive producers Marco Pennette and James Hayman were let go from the Emmy-winning comedy-drama Monday, the same day the series was renewed for a third season of 22 or 23 episodes.

The show creator Silvio Horta has promised to tweak the storylines he and his writing team had mapped out for the remainder of the season. At least 4 new episodes are expected to be added to the 13 already produced and aired this season.

The fired duo had also written and directed the show's first season finale and second season premiere episodes. The ABC studio-produced show had already fired 5 writers during the 2007 summer hiatus.

Penette, who is openly gay, was praised by Horta for contributing to the show's gay sensibility. He penned the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" episode in which the gay character Marc St.James confronts his homophobic mother.

Hayman's former wife Annie Potts recently appeared in a guest starring role.

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