Wonderful character development!

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

Bette Midler playing herself- I wasn't sure at first how this comedy would work out, but after the 1st episode I was hooked. Some people have claimed the scripts weren't all that great, but I have to strongly disagree. Bette's character of Bette is absolutely hysterical. Very few celebrities are able to poke fun at themselves for everyone to see. Some of the situations are "I love Lucy" style, and Bette pulls them off with class. And having celebrities like Dolly Parton coming in to join the show poking fun at themselves just adds to the fun. The chemistry between Bette and Joanna Gleason is fantastic. Great job of casting there, with Bette always hearing what she wants to hear, not what everyone is telling her, and Joanna trying to ease her into reality. I was disappointed when this show ended, and hope it will be released on DVD one day soon.

How about "Bette: The Complete Series" all 18 episodes on DVD? Considering Bette issues a public apology for the series (complete with a video taped "Judge Judy" parody and a song) on her current tour the DVD release of her ill-fated 2000-2001 self titled sitcom most likely won't happen. I for one would buy it. I'm sure many if not all of the 20,000 fans that filled the Palace Of Auburn Hills in Detroit the night I saw my favorite Diva, as well as all of Miss M's fans all over the USA would purchase it. The show wasn't that bad. Misguided perhaps but, not the train wreck the critics have said it was. I think the highlights of the series were when Bette performed her hit songs and many new songs from her new CD at the time "Bette" I remember the Halloween episode revolved around Bette being mistaken for Dolly Parton and the episode concluding with a Bette and Dolly duet. Priceless! Many moments of comic gold. Not Bette at her best but, certainly worth a look.

This was a series that ended too soon, in my book. The comedy was well paced and Bette was wonderful to watch. The first episode was a scream and had me hooked from the get go. I wish it had lasted longer and I thought it really beat out the other new shows starting about the same time (The Gena Davis Show). It is too bad it went off the air so soon. If you ever get a chance to watch it, enjoy, and have a laugh for me.

Very likable TV-series! It is great to see Bette Midler on a regular basis. She has the comic ability to have her own TV-series and it shows. The first few shows were doubtful, but after you get in the flow of things you adjust to it. The on-going joke about Sally Field winning Best Actress in "Norma Rae", over Bette for "The Rose"; will have you rolling on the floor. But unfortunately it will be thrown up against the show in a negative way, if it is kept up. The theme song to the show, "Nobody Else But You" is spectacular, it deserves as much radio play as possible (it's nice to dream). Oddly enough, as it may seem "Bette" seems to get better and better with each show. It is blossoming into attractive new ground for it's always-brilliant star. Unfortunately this show also has the making of a has-been, instant-canceller (let's hope not). Which definitely would not be attractive for Bette's on-the-verge career. But lets focus on the good thing, It's here for now. I urge you to take an interest in this good-natured show. Let's face it we are in desperate need of some new variety out there on the TV, and this is definitely it!