We try our best to stay on top of things here at TVgasm, but the rigors of jobs and the desire for a social life sometimes prevents us from always being ahead of the curve. We didn't get into America's Next Top Model until somebody suggested it, and we completely missed out on the pleasures of Project Runway despite so many people telling us that we needed to get on that bandwagon (we eventually got on it in the form of a season marathon a few weekends ago). With all that in mind, we eagerly awaited our first Top Model selection show.
Selection shows aren't usually the most thrilling to watch because you get such little information on each person, and it's hard to read anybody's personality with such little bits to go on. Plus, some producers feel like a reality show where people end up living together is not complete without the opening arrival to the airport montage. The show is being shot in Los Angeles, and I always to point out landmarks I recognize, but "Check out the Southwest baggage claim" just doesn't have the same appeal as, say, "That's where I bumped into Jason Statham on the street". People know that these girls come from all over the country, largely because they are going to say where they are from when they introduce themselves to the judges. Unless you have two hours to start your season, you can't waste time with things like that. Isn't that right Phil Keogan?
The girls make it to their hotel, the Century Plaza located just a few minutes from Beverly Hills, and meet Ms. J Alexander and Mr. Jay Manuel. For those of you new to the game, they are in charge of runway and art direction. They are also not the stars of the show. Our host is Tyra Banks, and she walks in, the girls scream, and she gets to business about telling them what she is looking for. Models have to beautiful on the outside, but also on the inside, but mostly on the outside, she say. It's a little known fact that Tyra actually wanted to create a show called America's Next Top Philanthropist, but nobody from the Red Cross would sponsor the idea, so we got a show about models instead.
We got to some of the first interviews with our selection panel (Tyra and the two Jays), and you can tell this is going to be an interesting cast. Last season was famous early on because one girl got tossed after getting in a fight, and making the phrase "bitch threw a beer on my weave" one of the most effective, if not counter-productive, comebacks of all-time. That girl, Tiffany, was back and out to prove that she changed her life. She has a new boyfriend, she has help with her baby, and she is just a happy person. She won't be throwing tantrums if people throw a beer in her hair, even if it is imported (the beer, not the hair).
Another contestant that jumped right out at us was Brittany. When she walked out, it at first seemed like she was trying to be one of these girls that just had to be "on" all the time, which often means they are the most fake of the bunch. I think Brittany was keeping it pretty real though, because nobody heading into a model competition rehearses the lines "I must have been a drag queen in a previous life" or "I may have a sex change, just so I can get dressed in drag".
And don't let me forget to mention the girl who grew up Mormon, but is now an atheist. How hard of a life must she have had. When she told her mom that she didn't believe in God, her mom said she wished that she had said she was a lesbian or was pregnant. Coming from a Mormon, that is a huge insult. It's like seeing somebody in Hollywood and asking them if they are from Camarillo or something.
Between our interview segments, we got to see what the girls got to do to pass the time while they were in LA. First up, the pool of course. There can never be a modeling show without plenty of shots of girls in bikinis kickin it by the pool. When the girls start playing truth or dare and we get some gratuitous nudity, all the better.
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Comments (15)
I like that last photo of the models. It's very 90210/One Tree Hill/The L Word/any generic promo shot. Yay people pile!
1 of 15 | Posted by B-Side | Posted on March 3, 2005 1:30 AM
Actually it mostly reminds me of the cover to "Where the Boys Aren't 2".
Good movie.
2 of 15 | Posted by Ed | Posted on March 3, 2005 6:04 AM
Yay. ANTM is back. This is a great write up J-Unit. I think Tyra left some of the beautiful, competetive, colorful characters off the show. Lady Kat and Estela were great and I think maybe they were too good and would win all the competitions (ala Yaya from last year) so Tyra & The Gang stuck with the train wrecks of the catwalk.
I also loved the girl who grew up a moron...oops mormon, but turned into an athiest. I don't know if I have a favorite in this group just yet because my money were on the ones who were left out.
It was great to see Eva The Diva doing her thing on the Cover Girl commercial. I love this girl and she was fan freakin tastic showing off that face and her acting chops. You go girl!!!
3 of 15 | Posted by America's Next Top "Eva" Fan | Posted on March 3, 2005 6:05 AM
Ok, I hate to be so mean, but does anyone else think that the wrestler Michelle is a bit fugly? Ok, not a bit, just full on. I know that runway modeling is all about the body, but I just cannot see her doing a beauty shot or a Cover Girl commercial.
Anyway, love the site, love the show, love the recaps. Please keep this show in your rotation!
4 of 15 | Posted by B-Rock | Posted on March 3, 2005 8:24 AM
Contest sounds good to me. MYfriend wrote this long ass preview and predicted his final 3. Of course he did this without knowing what fierce walks they all had, so its whack.
http://weakisht.blogspot.com/2005/02/americas-next-top-model-preview.html
5 of 15 | Posted by Ed | Posted on March 3, 2005 9:30 AM
"does anyone else think that the wrestler Michelle is a bit fugly?"
SHE IS HIDEOUS. I don't get it. I mean, I know they like to spice things up with unusual backgrounds/professions and all but COME ON. This girl is FUGLY AS ALL HELL. Are we supposed to just pretend that she's not? Does she even have ONE redeeming, model-esque quality?
6 of 15 | Posted by Rebecca | Posted on March 3, 2005 12:21 PM
Ugh I agree with you guys, B-Rock & Rebecca! She's gross, I can think of at least 3 other girls that they could've taken in place of Michelle! I can't even imagine her looking hot with the right hair and make up.
7 of 15 | Posted by Catie | Posted on March 4, 2005 7:11 AM
Did anyone else watch the final episode of 'Project Runway'? During the model casting call, Anne (from cycle 3) came in. I am not sure if she was in one of the three runway shows or not. Just a semi-update.
8 of 15 | Posted by jmportia | Posted on March 4, 2005 10:46 AM
Q. Is Michelle ugly?
A: Affirmative, she is an official bust-down.
I love how J Alexander said something about her having no neck. He had a little name for this affliction; did anyone catch that?
I'm sorry, but Brandi is not exactly model material either. I mean, if you have to get a red afro SEWN into your head...
9 of 15 | Posted by joslyn | Posted on March 5, 2005 9:17 PM
Joslyn,
After a Step'n Fetchit bug eye quick take, Ms. J squealed, "Ooooh, she a no-neck monster!"
While that was good, it didn't match that line from Cycle One, "Girrrrrrl, you look like you on crack!"
from that moment on, I was hooked.
10 of 15 | Posted by sg-dub | Posted on March 7, 2005 5:45 AM
i like that girl Khalen, i think was her name - the one who had never seen the show before but who had a totally FIERCE walk! was happy Tiffany made it this time but sad that Mary the plus sized didn't. Mary's face was way more beautiful than some of the ones chosen...
i agree w/ you - No Lady Kat = THANK GAWD!!
11 of 15 | Posted by jaded | Posted on March 7, 2005 11:07 AM
Oh yes, that was it-"No-Neck Monster"! Too funny!
Thank you, sg-dub.
12 of 15 | Posted by joslyn | Posted on March 7, 2005 5:35 PM
If there is one thing this season has taught me already:Wrestlers=stupid & Ugly
I hate that they let some of the people that they did through. i can't wait for the make-overs. I love when the title of the show is something like "The girl who hated her make-over" or "The girl who made Tyra mad" or the Girl who was puking to be thin" YEAH for ANTM!
13 of 15 | Posted by smithie | Posted on March 8, 2005 1:36 PM
www.missladykat.com
don't hate! lady kat was and still is the baddest bitch!
14 of 15 | Posted by ebony | Posted on March 8, 2005 1:45 PM
www.missladykat.com
don't hate! lady kat was and still is the baddest @itch!
15 of 15 | Posted by ebony | Posted on March 8, 2005 1:45 PM