TV Hot Spot: America's Next Top Model

Special Review - America's Next Top Model (ANTM)

Review by: Sal


Hey Everyone! Like I stated before, TV is a bit slow these days. Most Series are on breaks for a couple of weeks, so I thought I could fit in a special review on a show that a lot of people around the world love. America's Next Top Model (ANTM), premiered on May 30th 2003. And in the span of those 3 and a half years, this show has been re-created and launched into many different versions around the world. The ones I know of is Canada's Next Top Model, Britain's Next Top Model, and finally Austrailia's Next Top Model. I am sure it won't stop there, this show can be re-created into many different markets and actually works with the different demographics.


The ratings for the series is another main thing i wanted to talk about. Over the past years this show has accumulated more viewers each season. It was the highest watched series on UPN, and now on the CW. The 7th Season finale which aired on wednesday 6th of december 2006, brought in around 6.3 Million Viewers. By far the most watched series on all of the CW! It was smart of the CW to renew the series for an eigth season, although there is no date set for when they will return.


Summary:Created by world-renowned supermodel Tyra Banks, who executive produces the series with Ken Mok, AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL chronicles the transformation of everyday young women into potentially fierce supermodels. Fourteen participants will live together and vie for the incredible grand prize: an opportunity to be managed by Ford Models, a fashion spread in Elle magazine, and a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl. Cameras catch each moment as participants face weekly tests that determine who makes the cut. With mentoring by supermodel Tyra Banks and exposure to high-profile fashion industry gurus, the finalists compete in a highly accelerated modeling boot camp, a crash course that could lead to supermodel fame. Participants are asked to demonstrate both inner and outer beauty as they master complicated catwalks, intense physical fitness, fashion photo shoots and publicity skills, all under 24-hour-a-day surveillance of the AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL cameras.


And with that description, you can basically figure out the drama that is included inside a house filled with 14 girls. America's Next Top Model has just finished their 7th season on the 6th of December 2006. And I thought it would be great to create a special review about the series as a whole. Me, Shai & Nas all watch this series and we always end up rooting for different people. It is always interesting, in reality shows like this, where week by week the Models get picked to leave until there is one left standing. What I always enjoy personally, is when the number of Models are usually half of when they started out, Tyra always surprises them with a trip to another exotic country. We have seen Tyra take the girls to Tokyo, Bangkok, London and even Barcelona! The Models are definetely treated like celebrities once they get there...


Another good aspect of the series, is that they do not focus on outer beauty only. If you look at the summary above, they also look inwards. And that is true in many cases. Most people that know the series, know not to root for the prettiest girl of the bunch, because she usually ends up leaving the competition earlier than the other girls. The assignments and photoshoots that Tyra and her group set the Models with are always fun to watch. They are always unique, and everyone enjoys when they show each Model's photo at the end of each episode.


The cast of the series, or the 'Judges' are amazing as well. Janice Dickinson, who was in the first few seasons as a judge on ANTM was my favourite. She spoke her mind and was hilarious. She was then replaced by Twiggy, a fashion icon from Britain. Other judges, are Miss J Alexander, and Nigel Barker who are both experts in the fashion world. Another part of the cast is Mister J Manuel, who used to be a judge but is now a photo director and can be seen on most of the photshoots supporting the models as they pose.


Final thoughts on this series. It is amazing. I would recommend it to anyone. It is hilarious! And includes suspense at times too. Tyra is the best person for the job, as host of this show. And the judges are great, especially on their comments. As the seasons go by, we see ourselves with 7 NEW TOP MODELS! And with an 8th season on the way, we will be introduced to 14 more girls, interested in becoming the 8th America's Next Top Model! So this is my first special review of this show. And depending on the flow of shows over the next few weeks, I might do another review of this! Thanks for reading guys. Comments would be appreciated.

Take Care