What Changes Do You Want to See For Cycle 11?
Cycle 10 of America’s Next Top Model made quite a few changes from previous seasons. It has a new theme song and intro, and it re-relocated to New York City, the fashion capital of North America. It added a new judge with the fabulous Paulina Porizkova. But there’s still a lot wrong with the show.
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Here are a few things I’d like to see changed:
Reduce the Schedule to One Cycle per Year
The requirements to be a model are extremely difficult to achieve, and whether you pass or not is really no fault of your own – if you’re under 5’8”, feel free to blame your mom. While it is important for the show to demand the same criteria of it’s contestants the real modeling world does, the pool you get to select from begins to diminish. And events like Jaslene getting cut from one cycle, but making – and potentially winning – the next cycle and Dominique trying out “like 10 times” will keep occurring. Additionally, this will give you and your production team more time to craft the challenges and the photo shoots so they are no longer these ridiculous cheese-fests, but quality fashion photos any model would be proud to put in her portfolio.
Lower the Age Requirements to Sixteen
One of the biggest complaints I have with several of the models that appear on ANTM–and the judges have this complaint too!–is that often contestants aren’t “fresh” or they photograph “old.” In the modeling world, your career should be half over when you hit 24 or 25, not just beginning. By lowering the required age to sixteen, the girls will be more apt to compete with the industry’s new models, you’d up the number of applications, which would produce greater quality contestants, and let’s face it – as drama-inducing as Dominique was, nothing will beat a bunch of sixteen-year-olds away from home for the first time living in a tiny house.
Keep the Elimination Process Consistent
Tyra needs to develop a formula for how much each component of the show is worth: the week’s photo shoot, the week’s behaviour, the week’s challenge, past photo shoots, past behaviour and past challenges, then stick with it. It’s the only way to be fair, and the only way the best girl can truly win. Without this level of elimination discipline, Tyra and co. can manipulate the weight of each component do that who they want to stay will stay. It leaves me feeling confused and cheated when I don’t understand why someone is going home (ahem, Katarzyna!) It’s okay for an elimination to hurt, it’s not okay for it to be unfair.
Get More Involved, Tyra
Tyra needs to be more involved with the process from beginning to end. She should be there for the challenges, watch the training exercises, and just know what the fuck is going on beyond furthering her own photography career. Without this, not only is she shocked over personality quirks that arise in panel, she doesn’t know the girls personalities at all. Her lack of involvement – save for opportune times in which SHE looks good – undermines why this show exists in the first place. Tyra knows fashion, she know how to model and she knows how the industry works. She really should be giving these girls that information above and beyond refusing sympathy in the judging panel for all the times Tyra rocked it depsite being hated on, sick, fat, in trouble, confused, seventeen, etc. She should also stop using herself as the bar from which to measure all these girls, but asking Tyra to tone down her ego is asking a lot.
But stay the hell away from the photo shoots
All that being said, Tyra needs to remember that she is a model not a art director or a photographer. Using this show to showcase her very amateur photography is lame. Also, speaking over Jay when it is his shoot to direct and acting like a Mama hen is not the way to coach models to perfection. By not getting them the best photographers and the best art directors, she isn’t teaching them anything except that her personal interests are more important than the girls’ careers.
Still, Stay TYRA
One of the greatest joys of this show, however, is just how bat-shit crazy Tyra is. I’ve been watching a lot of Australia’s Next Top Model and while Jodhi is a fantastic host technically – she is involved where it is in her expertise to be involved, visits the girls regularly, her critiques are valuable and sensible, and she is not trying to be their friend nor their mother – but she is boring!! Not knowing what Tyra is ever going to do or say – or wear — is part of what makes this show so good!
Give Each Episode – and the Photo Shoot – some Logic!
For the past five seasons, there’s been a huge disconnect between the weekly challenges and lessons and the photo shoots. I’m not asking for each task to be the exact same thing, but rather a logical connection to show which girls were listening and improving and which ones fell flat. I’d also like to see the challenges and tasks be far more related to modeling. Examples: these girls need to get in shape, meet a nutritionist, and go shopping to learn how to dress like a model. And then for these lessons to carry over into the next episodes. Models need to be healthy all the time. Fashionable all the time. You get it, it’s not a show for an hour a week, and I don’t see how there is anything happening in the current cycle to teach these girls otherwise. Finally, the photo shoots need to make sense, and need to mirror what real models do. The photo shoots have really been hit and miss lately and that needs to change.
What about you? What do you think the show needs to be improved?
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POSTED IN: ANTM News
23 opinions for What Changes Do You Want to See For Cycle 11?
HOLLYWOOD BS
May 26, 2008 at 1:16 pm
I do agree on the whole age thing. Like Melrose would become a supermodel at age 23…right!
Did you just call Jaslene a “thing”…such a low blow!
Erin
May 26, 2008 at 1:22 pm
@Hollywood BS
I totally didn’t mean to do that! Whoops!
It’s changed now :-)
Damien
May 26, 2008 at 1:47 pm
couldn’t agree more. Especially the Tyra part to be more involved. and tone down the ego
Jen
May 26, 2008 at 4:04 pm
I’m thinking a ‘petite’ version - sure, it’d have to be more focused on commericial modelling and not really catwalk, but theres so many smaller girls out there that deserve a chance!
Ruth
May 26, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Lowering the age limit to 16 wouldn’t work - as models under 18 cannot be photographed naked or topless. (at least in the UK, I’m assuming these ethics stay the same in the US)
I agree with your first point though, comparing with BNTM would be a good example here. In the current cycle, the girls are taking part in ACTUAL jobs for some shoots such as ASOS and a CD cover shoot….some more of these in ANTM would really benefit both the show and the girl’s careers!
Valencia
May 26, 2008 at 5:15 pm
I agree with the idea of having one cycle per year. I’ve watched top model since the first season. Yet, I viewed less than half of the shows from this past season. I think I have ANTM burn-out. Also, from what I saw, it seemed as if Tyra was missing in action from the latest season. We mainly saw her at elimination.
NikkiM
May 26, 2008 at 5:33 pm
16 won’t work. If a contestant is under 18 in the US on any show they need parents/guardians there. So there’d be all these models and then some parents in the house. It would be a little weird. Although I agree with you, I wish they could lower the age a bit.
I thought I was the only one who noticed tyra missing, where are her sit downs at the house with the girls? She used to come in and talk to them about problems and individually and give them advice. and now it’s like she’s just in it for publicitiy. From what I heard tho, she wants to remain producer but give up her chair on the panel and all of that to focus on her talk show. Don’t remember where I saw it so I don’t know if it’s totally true or not. but this season made me believe it was.
Ok this was a long response sorry. lol
Erin
May 26, 2008 at 8:46 pm
I understand and appreciate the legal issues surrounding the age limit, but from a modeling perspective, 16 makes more sense. And seeing that Australia’s top model show does it, it is possible. but i think their laws might be different.
Qiana
May 27, 2008 at 9:27 am
I think Tyra is more involved than what can be shown on TV. The show is only 40 minutes when you take out the commercials.
As far as the age requirements, I agree with you simply because models seem to have to be pre-pubescent to start out. The only exception is the contracts the girls have to sign are not legally binding unless the girl is 18.
There are way too many rumors about Tyra leaving her seat vacant for someone else to step in. If she left why would I watch? I live for the “what will she say, do, wear next” moments.
As many changes as can be made to make the show better, it is still working and try as the copy cats might (ahem, Tyson), there is only one ANTM.
NikkiM
May 27, 2008 at 4:55 pm
well ya, that’s the other thing the parents would have to sign the contracts too. I definately agree with it from a modelling perspective though. I too am kind of sick of seeing these “old” people. And by old I totally mean my age. hahaha.
I think we need a top model break though, as much as I love it and love tyra she was starting to bug me a bit this season. Especially with the whole Fatima paperwork thing. Why is she berating her? The producer’s knew (they showed Fatima talking to them on the phone) there is NO WAY Tyra didn’t know what was going on. That and the whole weighting of the challenges mentioned earlier. I mean I don’t think I’m the only one that found it absolutely ridiculous that (Can’t remember her name for the life of me) the girl who couldn’t walk lasted so damn long. Her photos were nice but so many people had better photos every week (in my opinion) and there was NO WAY she was gonna perfect that walk (tyra HAD to know that) yet she kept going. I didn’t think that was fair at all
Alyse
May 27, 2008 at 7:01 pm
I agree with most, especially limiting to ONE cycle a year. Lowering the age would probably create alot of legal headaches considering 16 & 17 yr olds aren’t able to make decisions without parents. I think (maybe) cycle 6 was the last time I thought tyra was a good host
also: BRING BACK JUDGING CHALLENGES
Kate
May 27, 2008 at 7:29 pm
I agree with just about everything above. Also, I LOVED the judging challenges because they did tie together the challenges with the industry.
Does anyone know if anyone from ANTM reads this? This is some great feedback that they should probably be aware of.
kathy
May 29, 2008 at 12:40 pm
oh god if i hav to listen to Tyra say ‘nigel barker NOted fashion photographer’ 1 more time i’ll snap!
we know, you said it a squillion times already
HOLLYWOOD BS
May 29, 2008 at 8:41 pm
I want to see a REAL MODEL win and not animated characters. Seriously! how disgraceful is it that no ANTM has become a successful high fashion model or top model. Other top model competitions like Australia’s next top model and Russia’s next top model have produced successful winners who have graced the pages of high fashion magazines and walked for top designers like GUCCI…and ANTM was the first to start. SHAME!
Kenya
May 30, 2008 at 1:36 pm
I agree! But the whole 16 thing “NO.” Even though now and days you can mistake a 16 yr old for a 25 yr old, they are completely immature and not ready to be surrounded by a bunch of “WOMEN.” As far as Tyra is concerned I think she’s too busy working on her show. It just caught my attention reading this passage that she has been “MIA” for real! & that’s some bull >if you know what I mean< But in cycle 11 I would like to honest judging. What more can you ask? Oh… And to me ANTM is a little predictable… Don’t you agree?!
rhea
May 30, 2008 at 2:46 pm
The problem with ANTM lies in the judges sometimes. Paulina and Twiggy I feel were biased based on what was standard during their time. A lot of the blondes (except WHitney) do not look any unique or better than women walking down the street. Fatima had a high fashion model demeanor and presence. She did not look like Iman (that’s was such a stereotypical comment). They need to find some UNIQUE looking models that are not cookie cutter models. That’s what some of the judges try to do. That is why not many American models achieve super model level. They all look alike.
tad
May 30, 2008 at 3:33 pm
I think that they should bring back the judging challenges that they used to have in previous seasons. They were the most fun part of the show! Some of my favorite Top Model moments of all time were during the judging challenges, like the verb and adverb challenge from season 7 and the teleprompter read from season 4.
rhea
May 31, 2008 at 6:12 am
The age factor is another aspect that is going to be eliminated like the weight factor that blew up in their faces in Europe. People push standards that they want in the public’s face. Forbes just listed the top grossing models. 3 started their careers in their twenties. Several are married with children. This last trend that SOMEONE is trying to create is ridiculous - ultra skinny male models. They look like someone’s sick fantasy (pedophile). If they want grown men to buy their clothing, why would they put them on a model that is the size of a 6 year old? The fashion industry has got to learn to be diverse if it wants to survive. If they are really creative, they can sell anything. Since they want to push the same standards over and over again, I sense they do not have a creative bone in them.
Ian
May 31, 2008 at 10:14 pm
tyra should be more involved
tyra SHOULD stay!
do more controversial and less cheesy photoshoots. for cycle 10 i thought the meat one and the fuerza bruta shoots were amazing b/c we haven’t really seen photoshoots like that before
I actually love the two cycles a year thing. if they actually reduced it to one a year, we’d all go crazy waiting for the next one! don’t deny it!
and this is more of a crazy idea than a suggestion: you know how the previous top model comes for the end cover girl shoot and runway show? and how during the final panel there isn’t a guest judge? (well besides jay manuel a couple time ha). What if, the previous top model was the guest judge for the final panel!?! that would be kind of cool! no?
NikkiM
Jun 1, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Oh I agree with Ian on the contraversial shoots. Anyone remember…oh I don’t remember what the shoot was but they had one of the twins do the eating disorder? Man that was an amazing shoot. And the one where they had the anti-abortion, gay marriage, anti-meat etc. And then there was the one with the anti-smoking. Those are the ones I remember most! always! cause the ones that pull it off do it just so amazingly well! I’d love to see more of them. not every shoot (because that would be overkill again) but maybe 2 or 3 per cycle would be awesome. Even if they re-did some of the old ones. I wouldn’t mind them trying to do a couple of them again. It would be nice to see someone else’s take on the issues.
And I definately think Mr. Jay should be involved in the finale panel. He sees the girls more than anyone else.
Jon
Jun 10, 2008 at 10:53 am
One cycle a year might be better. And if it had a live finale that might be good as well, perhaps make it more interesting even. As for the age limit, I think the lowest it should go to is 17. At 16, the girls seem a bit immature (Demelza…). 17 was the age Tyra started at and so I suppose it would be fitting if ANTM took that as the bench-mark as well.
Another thing missing from the seasons post Cycle 7 have been the panel tests. I think that together with linking the challenges and photoshoots, panel tests should also be brought in. It seemed that it were more a learning competition then. Now it just seems like a reality tv show which lacks credibility to a certain extent.
I do agree on Tyra’s antics though. Lisa Snowdon is also a good host but she lacks that certain comic-ness that Tyra possesses which makes BNTM a bit bland and straight-forward at times (I’m not saying the show is bad). Also, perhaps the promotions could also tie in with the entire season instead of simply stopping at the premiere promo. Cycle 10’s was Vintage Back To Basics but we only saw that up to the intro for this cycle. Tyra could have continued with the photoshoots revolving around vintage themes while incorporating her fancy high-fashion tangents to it.
Similarly, Cycle 9 was the Future of Fashion but that only lasted till the cycle’s intro and nothing further. Also, changing the intro every few cycles is nice as well. But it doesn’t contribute very much.
nanaty
Jun 12, 2008 at 1:34 pm
I hope they still have more than one competion a year, but they do need to do some tweeking. Tyra needs to be there more, but I figured her show would take away from that. They also need to TEACH the girls before they just shove them into shoots. It seems that they don’t spend enough time with them much anymore. Miss J was needed alot more this year, and noone ever says ‘you did this wrong and here is how to do it correctly’, they just tell them to do better and expect them to know how to do better. More coaching, maybe bring back past girls like they have done in the past, but let those girls teach them. Cycle 6 and 7 were the best and gone downhill since then. And, Tyra does need to be more informed of behavior in the house. I know they need drama for the ratings, but some of the things that happen in the house should be grounds for leaving the show (ie Jade and Monic) they were lucky someone didn’t kill them—expecially Monique wiping her underwear on people’s beds, and refusing to follow simple house rules to make things easier. One last thing, someone owns those houses the girls live in, Tyra should be ashamed of the way those girls live. It’s like they were all born in a dump. You know those parents are so embarrassed. I hope the show has to pay for all that clean up. You would think they would have more respect for other people’s property. Call me Tyra, I would be a great house mother!!!
Jade
Sep 4, 2008 at 7:47 am
Tyra, Tyra, Tyra. What the hell were you thinking for Cycle 11???????? I am a true fan of ANTM, and have been since it started. I watched ever single episode every week, bought Seventeen magazine, and even only wear Covergirl. But I’m sorry to say that I think Whitney was the last true winner…. None of the girls I saw in casting have an ounce of my respect. The only one I don’t hate is Clark. But she doesn’t look like a model. She looks fake. Now, yes Tyra should be there. But what the hell was up with the “Tyra Bot, Alpha and Beta Jay” thing they did? They need to bring it back to what it was all about: girls having a chance to live their dream. Tyra needs to tone it down, they need to kick off Mr. Jay, and they need to bring Twiggy back! But I looove the idea of a live season finale, one problem though… The season finale is a fashion show…. ? Every cycle it seems more fake than before. Cycle 10 was a mess, although they came out with Whitney so yay! Cycle 9 was the last one with normal looking girls (model wise normal) but Cycle 11… oh Lord. I watched for 15 minutes before walking out for a break. A transvestite? Come one… Besides that all of the girls are UGLY. Not just normal ugly. Model Ugly. Not pretty-ugly. UGLY-UGLY. Tyra needs to chill out, tone it down, and be there more. But overall I think the show has lost ALL credibility and it is now one big joke. If it keeps going like this there won’t BE a Cycle 12.
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