'Ugly' Pratt Wasn't VH1's First Choice

Jane Pratt is coming back to TV -- but only because some of her peers have better things to do.

The founding editor of Jane and Sassy magazines is set to star in a new VH1 series called American Ugly, a reality-TV rehash of ABC's hit sitcom Ugly Betty. But while the premise requires a real-life fashion editor, Pratt wasn't VH1's first choice, according to sources.

Brandon Holley -- the editor who took over Jane after Pratt was pushed out in July 2005 -- was approached about the gig in late spring but wasn't interested. (Holley was involved at the time with a different reality show, SoapNet's Fashionista Diaries, which was serendipitously on hand to chronicle Jane's closure in July.)

Soon afterwards, former Seventeen and Cosmogirl editor Atoosa Rubenstein was offered the role, and actually accepted it. But shortly before the pilot was to be shot, Rubenstein backed out, electing to focus on her own projects.

Pratt has already had two go-rounds on television, hosting short-lived talk shows for Fox and Lifetime. Since stepping down from Jane, she's been hosting a show on Sirius, and possibly working on some sort of magazine project with Gwen Stefani.

UPDATE, 12/11/07: It turns out Pratt taped the pilot but won't appear in the series, should it get picked up. See the explanation here.