America's Next Top Model: a feel-good, feminist, self-esteem raising jamboree?

Anyone else watch the premiere of cycle 9 last night?

Anyone else have some of cycle one on tape/dvd/tivo?  If you do, go back and watch the opening credits.  Tyra was all "I wanna make someone a star!" and now, after all the criticism about her being fat, her talk show being about 'real' women etc... her voice over in the credits is now all "I just want to make girls feel good about themselves."

So, the cultural discourse and rhetoric (grad school words!) has evolved.  But is it authentic?  Is ANTM *really* all about wanting to help girls and women feel good about themselves? Is that why video of the semi-finalists, when getting THE call from Tyra, were all like "I L.O.V.E YOU, TYRA!"  Cause they know how great this experience is going to be for their inner beauty?

Yeaaaaahhhh, and the Miss America "Program" (don't you dare call it a 'pageant'!) is all about the scholarship cash and creating world peace. Uh, hunh.  I know.

And um, CYCLE 9???!!!!  So where the heck are the 8 previous winners?  (besides showing up on current ANTM episodes--as they did in cycle 8--to help current contestants).

Oh and BTW.  THIS is just about the funniest thing I've ever seen.  Go Tyra!

Comments

[Ashley]

I love Tyra and I love ANTM. There is a change that has happened with her, her show, and her talk show. I'm not really understanding why you're questioning if it's authentic or not. I mean, we could question that about anyone, anything, or any program designed to help promote inner beauty. What has caused your doubt?

The 8 previous winners have been, well, modeling.

[Audrey]

I'm just not sure a modeling contest is the right vehicle for a self-esteem raising party. The two things seem a bit antithetical (meaning, according to Websters, "being in direct and unequivocal opposition"). In my POV, they just don't go together.

I do applaud Tyra, though, for wanting to show lots of behind-the-scenes stuff to viewers so we can all see what's real and what isn't.

[Mahdy]

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