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Oooohhh, girl! Today is not a good day to be an America's Next Top Model cast member. Unless you're Tyra Banks, that is. The creator of the reality show has canned her three regular judges: J. Alexander, Nigel Barker, and Jay Manuel. Talk about a fierce Friday (and not in a good way)!
The problem wasn't that Tyra wasn't happy with the cast but a ratings problem. The Nielsens have been sliding downwards on this baby for quite a few seasons. Word has it this was more a network decision than a Tyra decision. But I don't think a cast overhaul is going to help matters.
The problem is that, unlike American Idol, which has produced bonafide singing sensations like Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood, and Chris Daughtry to name a few, ANTM has been woefully inept at creating a genuine supermodel.
How many of us have sat through an entire cycle and, when the winner was announced, shrugged? I know I have. That girl, whoever she is (and it's hard to even remember any of their names), is not going to become Gisele Bundchen, Adriana Lima, or Tyra. She's just not.
And why won't she? First, Tyra picks contestants for their personalities, not for their looks. Sure, the girls have to be photogenic, but it's more important that they be able to create draaaaama. It's a soap opera more than a beauty contest. Second, the show accepts girls who are 18-27. In the real world, models start their careers as young as 14. By the time a girl graduates from ANTM and makes the modeling rounds for a few years, she's already aged out of that industry.
Besides, it was all over when Janice Dickinson left.
But maybe Tyra will be able to revive ANTM, who knows. Like Simon Cowell did on The X-Factor, watch for Tyra to hire some kind of celebrity judge. I wonder what Cindy Crawford is up to these days, besides selling gajillions of dollars worth of furniture and skincare.
But Tyra gave us some great small screen moments over the years, didn't she? Remember that time she lambasted the poor model who dared joke around a bit? "Take responsibility for yourself!!!"
Ooh, guuurl. That was fierce!
See this video on The Stir by CafeMom.
Will a new cast get you to watch ANTM again?
Image via Rachel From Cupcakes Take the Cake/Flickr.
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