America's Next Top Model should take a page from reality rival American Idol and realize that absence truly makes the heart grow fonder. AI only comes around once a year and creates a frenzy every time. But with ANTM, it just feels like yesterday that psoriasis-conqueror CariDee English was crowned.

It's a little tiring to see the same type of girls who don't try hard enough, are surprised every time they need to get nude/cut their hair, have dead eyes or proclaim that they're not here to make friends. Yawn. I think I've got a bit of Model fatigue. And speaking of fatigues ...

... Wednesday's (Feb. 28) episode begins with the throng of semifinalists attending boot camp, ANTM style. That means the girls have to march in high-heeled boots, wear cute wife beaters and camo capris, ogle Miss J in shorts and have raptures over Tyra Banks mangling quotes from A Few Good Men and Apocalypse Now. Writers, please come back.

Am I the only one over Tyra? Everything comes off as too staged, even though Miss Banks leaves one contestant moved to tears.

So far, it appears that the show delivers the same stuff as previous seasons, which is part of the problem. There are a few entertaining standouts, such as the enthusiastic but rather unfocused Kathleen and crazy Russian chick Natasha, but what's amusing one episode can be grating over an entire series. I'll leave the photo shoot challenge a surprise, but let's just say the girls are sadly uninspired and wouldn't get my vote.

Frankly, I'm just filling my time until the premiere of The Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll. That looks like mindless, decadent fun.

Until then, here are first impressions of the 13 model wannabes (proceed no further if you want to be surprised):

Kathleen: Hilarious with her Brooklyn accent and general cluelessness
Sarah: Her look works, but will her know-it-all attitude work against her?
Cassandra: An odd face, but she might be a sleeper. Plus: awesome impressions of Kathleen and Natasha.
Brittany: A sort of prettier Sandra Bernhardt thing going on, but she seem comfortable with herself.
Natasha: Russian mail-order bride overconfident about her prettiness. Her views are amusing, but she may be underestimating the competition (like the ones that "look like boys."
Samantha: Girl has got some eyebrows, but there's something sweetly old-fashioned about her face.
Dionne: She can talk and talk, but can she walk the walk?
Jaslene: Remember her being turned away from last season? Well, she's back and trying to balance her spiciness with a model mentality.
Renee: Frighteningly skinny for having given birth only seven months ago. For her, there's no such thing as friendly competition.
Whitney: A plus-sized model with a bubbly attitude that feels genuine.
Jael: This punk rock nice girl needs to toughen up and learn to enunciate.
Diana: Yes, another plus-sized girl with a confident demeanor. These two just may give the other models some tough competition this year as long as they can avoid giving into the insecurities that eventually befell Tocarra and the other plus-sizes that came before.
Felicia: Very cute with a face that could be effective with makeup.

How do you feel about ANTM? Do you have any clear-cut favorites yet? Did the photo shoot feel flat to you?

Comments

I agree with the twice is too much thing. I don't think I can get into this one when it feels like yesterday I was watching last season.
As for the plus size girls- they are never going to win anyhow... so really what is the point? They are there to avoid discrimination compliants.
Interested to see the culture differences with the russian... especially after her comment about the girl that look like boys...

Mandy | Feb 27, 2007 12:09:45 PM | #

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i don't know i still think it's really very enjoyable show and it's fun to watch

k | Feb 28, 2007 2:38:57 AM | #

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I think the show is really
great! It is very interesting
to see how some of these girls
are in most cases, ordinary people at first. Before the cycle of shows are through most of the girls actually look and act like models.

Lisa | Feb 28, 2007 5:03:06 AM | #

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Regarding the plus-size girls, they're there for more than just a guard against discrimination complaints. Tyra annoys me to no end, but she deserves credit for her whole 'be confident with who you are' attitude that's directed at young viewers. Besides, they are an "in" for viewers who might hate the skinny girls. Also, while it's a stretch to think one of them might win, it's not out of the realm of possibility. There have been some big-name plus size models over the years. Especially now, with all the talk about models being to skinny getting stirred up again, I think the judges wouldn't shy away from choosing one of them if it came down to it.

Shell | Feb 28, 2007 6:33:50 AM | #

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My husband and I love ANTM. It's the best of the reality shows. Glad it's on twice a year. Love Tyra. The whole panel just cracks me up.

I just keep hoping to see the previous winners in more TV commercials and magazine ads.

kar | Feb 28, 2007 9:19:56 AM | #

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Yeah, maybe they could split it up a little bit. I don't watch, but I agree with that: it probably gets tiring. Maybe they should stretch it out a little bit but only do one cycle per season. By that I mean go from September to January or so, and THEN have the big finale. Because right now, viewers probably get lost after the November finale; since it's over, they don't care about CW anymore. Or they could START in January or February and run through May, kind of like AI. Maybe they could start the fall off with a run of Beauty and the Geek, and then end the season with a bang, one long stretch of ANTM. I don't just some ideas. ;-)

Roger | Feb 28, 2007 9:31:43 AM | #

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Oops, that should say "I don't KNOW"

Roger | Feb 28, 2007 9:32:47 AM | #

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yes time and space would be nice. i do like the show, but it is getting predictable. maybe they could start off in another country or something. it's also up against AI and i choose AI for now and tape ANTM maybe or flip back and forth. we'll see

like the show | Feb 28, 2007 10:30:07 AM | #

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I still dig the show, even though the Boot Camp thingy was kinda drab. Glad to see Jaslene in the 13 bunch--finally. She deserves it. And watch out for Natasha's scorn this season. I predict she'll be the new Jade.

Martin | Feb 28, 2007 8:20:22 PM | #

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ANTM is still very interesting for people that are actually into modeling. I love Jael. I don't like Natasha's cockiness, ugh! But she is really pretty and interesting. Renee scares me. like reallyyyyyy :( But i love Jael. :D

C ya guys!

Joana-Kathleen | Feb 28, 2007 10:12:02 PM | #

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Nudes of Jael!

http://cityrag.blogs.com/main/2007/03/nudes_of_jael_f.html

CB | Mar 1, 2007 1:18:10 PM | #

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I agree that the show can go once a year and still create the same buzz but I actually like this season... it's like every other season, I get into it but I always wind up in front of the screen (like all of you) and watch in either way! These girls have more potential though than the recent seasons. I liked the models of Danielle's, Nicole's and Eva's season the best out of all eight.

My favorites are Jaslene and Whitney... Renee is an emotional wreck!

Jada | Mar 1, 2007 5:40:07 PM | #

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you guys don't like natasha because you are all manja-cakes and just recycle all of America's bullshit views with no opinions or morals in your own heads. Thank God there is someone with real culture on ANTM finally. She's right, a woman should be a woman and look like a woman. American women are mostly fat, don't know how to cook, are too lazy to clean or sew, and want to be considered "equal" as men. A man has a place and a woman has her place. That's why God made two different sexes. But pro-homo's don't understand that. Russian women know how to be ladies! American women fart,burp, dress sloppily, are lazy wives and drink beer and act like unmannered men. That's why when men meet a russian woman they are shocked b'c russian women act like ladies and they know how to take care of a man. Plus they are hard working, beautiful and motivated.

yuliya | Mar 2, 2007 6:33:17 AM | #

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good god- i am hoping you are kidding with that one. either someone had the crap beaten out of them as a child or this is a man posting this...in 1943.

back to the subject at hand- what is the feeling regarding the one that was eliminated? i have to admit...kinda sad about it.

jeanette | Mar 2, 2007 6:14:06 PM | #

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From the view point of a plus sized young woman, I just want to say how empowering it is to have the fashion industry finally give the hint of nod towards plus sized YOUNG women. I think America is past the point of "Be thin or you might as well die." And the veiwpoint of not respecting the plus sized community because of the "growing obesity rate" is garbage. Just because you aren't sized 0-2 doesn't mean you're automatically an obese loser. I say right on, ANTM. Maybe now the country will see that we deserve more than the streched out castoffs of last season. I hope the plus sized women go far and I wish all the girls nothing but the best. :)

Meghan | Mar 6, 2007 12:39:34 AM | #

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Watch for Renee, she doesn't seem together,hopefully she won't last. Jael is ok, the russian chick may be cocky but if she works hard who knows? Jaslene is showing potential, hope she keeps it.

adita75 | Mar 6, 2007 4:25:26 PM | #

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I WANT RENEE TO WIN,because she has eveything a model is.... lets just keep our fingers crossed and hope she will. if Renee get sent home then my money is on Jaslene or Natasha!

ashlee | Mar 7, 2007 2:07:19 PM | #

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OMG, DOES ANYONE KNOW WHO THE WINNER OF ANTM CYCLE 8 IS.......... if u do can u plz plz plz tell me

ashlee | Mar 7, 2007 2:10:32 PM | #

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I know that jaslene wins this season she told me

you know who | Mar 7, 2007 4:34:29 PM | #

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I like felicia the best i think she has an amazing runway walk and she is really pretty and i think she takes really really good pictures if she goes home i will be sad but then i will go for jaslene or jeal

Jennifer | Mar 7, 2007 6:21:05 PM | #

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i hope that Renee wins because she has the look and the strength to win this. i think that natasha is a wannabee but she is so pretty. she is the next victoria secerts model. i hope that if either won wins then i will be happy either way. but they are really hot and sexy at the same time. i luv americas next top model baby.

Cody | Mar 10, 2007 8:55:04 PM | #

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to whomever said "jaslene wins she told me"...whatever. stop being stupid, we know you havent spoken to jaslene because its confidentional except to family. so whatevs.

let's go jael!!

s | Mar 11, 2007 6:41:04 PM | #

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i AJ souldnt gone out

keziah | Mar 13, 2007 7:28:16 AM | #

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C'MON JAEL! KEEP TRUCKIN!

s | Mar 14, 2007 9:44:37 PM | #

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I would have to disagree with you. I love that ANTM is the best show ever and Tyra Banks is awesome. My favorite is Jael as is several others. I also like Diana from one plus size girl to another. I feel for Jael and think that she is a sweethart. I give my condolences to her for the death of her friend. to who ever wrote this you are full of it and you probably know less then what ido about the girls, and i am Canadian.

Marianne | Mar 15, 2007 9:48:08 PM | #

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