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Tonight was the second episode of Make Me a Supermodel. My personal belief is that I missed the first one due a mental block caused by a subconscious desire to not have to endure again what was a rocky first season. Except for Holly, who I still adore! Yet, tonight surprised me.
Last season, they seemed to throw everything at the audience to see what stuck. Instead we were blinded, bored silly and couldn't connect with most of the contestants until the last few episodes. This season, they've made several changes. Once is that the recognizable and wooden Niki Taylor has been replaced by the less well known but more personable Nicole Trunfio. Nicole and the returning Tyson Beckford will be acting more like mentors while the judging has been turned over to former model Jenny Shimizu, photographer Perou (from the British version of the show), fashion designer Catherine Maladrino and Marlon.
Gone are the horrifying weigh-ins, judged by the portly and overly critical Cory Bautista, who has been gratefully relegated to being nothing more than a voice on a speaker phone. Which is still more presence than he deserves. And no longer will the audience be voting to save their favorite contestant from elimination every week. Which was something that made the show stand apart from ANTM, but made for opening sequences that were awkward with the eliminations coming at the top of the hour.
It's still no ANTM, and yet it really wants to be. Nothing made that more clear than the challenge, which was totally pulled from a previous cycle of ANTM and had all the models being striped to their skivvies and painted up like candy. Jordan won the challenge to embody the essence of an inanimate object and chose Mountaha to go to a go-see with her to Miss Sixty, who judged Mountaha "too edgy" and Jordan "too wide". Which....no. Stop creating eating disorders! You hear that sound? It's my Miss Sixty jeans hitting the trash bin. I like my 7's and Chip & Pepper's better anyway, so there. All the same, here are some highlights and thoughts:
Branden played the part of a lecherous pixie stick, trying to ogle the girls - most specifically, CJ's "boobie-wa-was". Which, is there anything that is possibly LESS of a turn on than a guy who infantilizes a woman's erogenous zones? Take note - no baby-talk guys. Seriously. It's creepy.
CJ: "I have a real problem looking stupid". No you don't sweetie. Trust me.
Jonathan is hot as a lollipop with a fake mohawk. He is hot with his short new hair. His accent is hot. Yet, he did not win the challenge or gain immunity. What is wrong with this picture?
Colin is a former med-student turned model hopeful. Was it because of the health care crisis? Not wanting to deal with HMOs and malpractice insurance? He left the books behind and practiced walking across the living room most of the episode and it just sort of depressed me.
Owing to Bravo's addiction to cross promotion, Tabatha, from Shear Genius arrived to oversee all the models getting new looks. Including the incredibly surly and ungrateful CJ who went from the standard, bland blond with unshaped mid length cut to an interesting and edgy chocolate shag and sneered about it the whole time. The only person who managed to look more miserable than her was Gabriel, but I think that's just how his face is. His attitude was actually very ernest and sincere for the most part. Plus he recognized one important thing: "This is candy. Not rocket science".
And that attitude may be what saved him. I have no idea what saved CJ, who was also in the bottom three and yawned through the judging. Chris took the fall, while Branden inexplicably won immunity. Most improved was Colin, who was still in the low side of the balance but showed dedication and drive.
So, what did you think of the changes made to the format? Is there enough to make this show more than an ANTM knock-off? Anyone else wanna slap CJ? Anyone else charmed by Mountaha? Who are you feeling will make it far? I'm thinking Jordan, Jonathan, Mountaha and Salome.
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salome = rose mcgowan
jonathan = jason lewis
gabriel = dominic cooper?
Taking away the audience vote has made the whole show infinitely less interesting to watch this year. There's no longer any way for the audience to invest in the show, now that they're no longer shooting it in "real time." Relegated to the role of pure observer we are distanced from it all. Granted, that's the way most reality shows play the game (not allowing an audience vote), but I mind it more here because last season taught me to react to this show through a particular mental frame. Frankly, I don't think I'll watch the show this season much this year for three reasons: (1) loss of the audience vote, (2) the inferior quality of this years models compared to those of last season, and (3) continuing disappointment over last season's win by Holly (who I found to be annoying beyond any possibility of redemption). True, the audience vote produced her win - but at least it kept Ben and Ronnie and Katy around much longer than the judges alone would have, and those three were the reason I watched the show at all.
I see a hundred people at the mall in Dallas every day who are far better looking than these wannabes. Who did the casting?
I think the new season is VASTLY improved over the dull, dull, dull first one. Unlike ANTM, some of these contestants really look like models (unlike many of last year's boring contenders, kept around by audience voters who know who they liked and disliked, but little about fashion or the modeling world). I also ADORE Catherine Maladrino, a terrific designer. Her affiliation with the show has taken up to a whole other level (although Perou is beyond annoying).
This season is way better than last season, especially with boys, which is way hotter.
I also saw episode "0" called Casting episode, few weeks before premiere season.
Last week, I was glad that Ken was "voted" out because his looks and style are not working for supermodel.
although, I was little disappointed to see Chris go. CJ SHOULD GO.
Wow - we couldnt be watching the same show. Last season felt like you were peeking in on a "reality" show. This season is soooo scripted and see through that I was only able to stomach 4 episodes and that was because I was home sick and there was a marathon. This new cast of model wannabees just dont have that..........spirit that the first season did. The new judges... OMG .... what a mess. Persoally I miss both Cory and Jennifer. Compared to the comments from Nicole and that Perou character they were glowing. What is so sad to me is that the new judging panel's ridiculous one liners, clearly written ahead of time and spoon fed to them. This just isnt enjoyable to me. if you check out the message boards and blog comments on this season at bravo there are like 3 people commenting. The fact that they took away the vote after giving it to the audience last year was probably a grave mistake for the show. I have to say Jennifer and Cory are probably grateful to no be part of this season. Personally I would be emabarr***ed and in fear of ruining any kind of career in the industry if I was afiliated with MMAS season 2. Merlin helped cast the show and he is a model scout????? None of these folks should really be modeling. Here is the other weird thing about it. Doesnt he work for IMG and isnt the contract with New York model management???? Oh well - had to put in my 2 cents. Now on to Survior - holy crap what a great season.
I disagree. I was So TIRED of having the hands of talented models in the hands of people on phones. I am SO GLAD they left the decision up to the Professionals. I absolutely HATE it when they let the Audience choose. Ahem... Dancing With the Stars..?