Reality Shows That Are Actually Good- No. 2

NUMBER TWO: America's Next Top Model, Wednesdays at 8 PM or Fridays at 9 PM on UPN

I know. I know. I already wrote about this show. At this very instant, your IQ may be plummeting at the mere thought of watching ANTM, but everyone needs a guilty pleasure.

I watch ANTM because I love getting a glimpse of the fashion designers and personalities whom I have only read about before. Before Gwen Stefani sang about those Harajuku Girls, ANTM showcased Tokyo as a growing fashion city just like such fashion capitals as Paris, London, NYC and Milan. I am also interested in being introduced to characters that I did not know of before such as Mikimoto, Nolé Marin and Miss Minnie, his little dog.

Sometimes I feel like I have to justify my interests to others who do not find them "useful," i.e. interests that do not have the potential to generate money or help others, but these people put so much energy and passion into this ephemeral industry as if it held the key to world peace. Anyone who ever experienced vocational doubts should watch this show for inspiration.

Unfortunately, the contestants may not benefit from this display of self assurance. It is disturbing to see the contestants' self-confidence deteoriate in the face of each elimination round. Like other reality shows, the contestants are forced to live together in order to compete and form opposing cliques in order to dominate over others; however, there must be some method to the madness, because the contestants begin to take great photos and learn how to make commercial art.

ANTM's goal, as stated in Cycle 1 by Tyra Banks, the executive producer, to a contestant with past pageant experience, is to assert that models are not beauty queens. I am not sure whether other models' would agree with Tyra Banks or Janice Dickinson, but it is clear that ANTM views a model as more than a pretty face. Models must be inspired by everything around them, such as their family background, movies, other forms of visual art, photographers' and fellow models' past work, then harness that inspiration in order to convey the desirability of a product.

ANTM does not necessarily award the prize to the contestant who takes the best photo or wins the most reward challenges. In the prior three cycles, the contestants who won were knowledgeable about the fashion industry and were enthusiastic during every shoot. ANTM rewards those who are most passionate about their chosen profession, not those who want something from the fashion industry.