Tyra's "next top models" are a hit

"America's Next Top Model," created and produced by everyone's favorite fashion model Tyra Banks, premiered last Wednesday with a two-hour special. The seventh season began with 33 new semi-finalists, all competing for the chance to be the newest fashion model of America. The show features girls ages 18-24 who participate in a photo shoot and a fashion challenge. Judges Tyra Banks, fashion photographer Nigel Barker and fashion icon Twiggy essentially make the show with their reviews of each photo accompanied by "spontaneous" one-liners to describe each models pose. After deliberations, the judges call the girls to an elimination room where the winners are announced and one girl is sent home in tears.

This season had a fast start. As soon as the girls step off their planes, they are thrown into a photo shoot and then whisked away for interviews with the judges. After interviews, the 33 semi-finalists are cut down to 21 models and the remaining girls are sent to another photo shoot to be photographed; this time in the nude. And of course, drama and tension (what we were all hoping for) ensues when one contestant refuses to be shot naked.

Judges make one final cut to weed out the 13 finalists who will remain and compete to be dubbed – yes – America's next top model. The girls are sent to their new home, which is glamorously decorated with contemporary furniture, a pool and modeling photos of Tyra Banks all over the house. But, lo and behold, more tension starts up when the 13 girls find only 11 beds. One model refuses to sleep on a couch and ultimately steals another model's bed. While not dealing with qualms over sleeping arrangements, the girls receive "Tyra-mail," messages to the girls from Tyra herself about what to expect for the next day's modeling extravaganza.

On the oh-so-anticipated day of eliminations, Tyra tells the girls exactly what they are competing for: a contract with Elite Model Management, the cover of Seventeen Magazine and a six-page editorial spread and a contract with Covergirl cosmetics worth $100,000. The girls are then called forth one by one to see their best photograph from the shoot and get slammed or praised by the judges before awaiting the single elimination.

Each season of "Top Model" revolves around the same concept: a group of catty girls battles it out via photo shoots and runway competitions until one is chosen to be the ultimate winner. After seven seasons, the idea is getting a little old, but the new, fresh faces of the girls and their desire and passion to win keeps fans glued to the screen.
"America's Next Top Model" airs Wednesdays at 8:00 on CW.