Could it be that most people couldn't care less about Hollywierd backstage life? What a bunch of self-absorbed nitwits.
They could have pulled it off, if they had come at it from an "outsider" point of view.
Ugly Betty is about a facet of American life (high fashion)that only, say, 5% of Americans care about. But with the fish-out-of-water point of view, the over the top charactarization, and the incredible comedic skills of the lead actress, the show is a hit. Shoot, if they's drop the stupid, unneccesary sexual content, I'd let the kids watch it.
But with Sorkin, it's all about HIM - and nobody cares anymore.