Reality Roll Call

In this week’s episode of America’s Next Top Model, Marjorie took Tyra’s critique of her maddening twitchiness to heart and decided to relax, have fun and let out the new Marjorie. But this girl wasn’t necessarily more likable, or more interesting, she was just slightly calmer, though not less nerve-wracking. The other models watched her with an air of trepidation, unsure of whether to accept her or hide the kitchen knives.

If you’re still undecided about the presidential race and chose to exercise your intellectual muscles by watching Barack Obama’s prime-time special, you need not worry about having missed your favorite brain musher America’s Next Top Model. Since I’ve already voted, I watched ANTM for you. Last night, the Tyraettes arrived in Amstardam to be greeted by Holland’s Next Top Model host Daphne Deckers. (Sidebar: It’s amazing how the Top Model series is compelling even when you can’t understand what the judges are saying.)

This week’s episode of America’s Next Top Model opens with a model war that is falling out on continental lines–it’s the U.S. versus Europe, with all the American models supposedly tired of the whining and complaining of the two European models (Elina and Marjorie).  What are they whining about? Everything. Twitchy, uncomfortable Marjorie can’t understand the concept of optimism, while Elina who hates her mother and wants to ban the use of all animal products, and maybe eventually take over the world, can’t get over her need to control her own every movement, which she says has to do with her European background. In fact the two have a very Pinky and the Brain quality about them–of course minus the joy. Perpetually sunny Samantha and Sheena are the most flumoxed by it all and at one point Sheena asks Elina (who happens to have been in the U.S. for 11 years) why she doesn’t go home if she’s so unhappy. It’s the immigration question of the ages.  In response to a clearly scripted question from producers about her feelings on Elina and Marjorie’s dissatisfaction tour, Joslyn says she doesn’t have time to worry about “immigration issues,” she’s more concerned about being kicked out this week.  And worry, she should.

From the CW:

TYRA ANNOUNCES THE OVERSEAS LOCATION The ladiespull a disappearing act for this week’s challenge. As is Top Model tradition, the remaining girlstest theiron-cameratalents when they shoot their CoverGirl commercialwith the help ofcycle 10 winner, Whitney Thompson. During judging, Tyra reveals this cycle’s overseas destination and one girl is sent home.

Tyra Banks‘ hit reality competition show, America’s Next Top Model will be giving birth to its first spinoff on the CW. The show, Operation Fabulous, will feature ANTM stars J. Alexander and Jay Manuel, as they tour the country, turning ordinary women into “model” citizens. Get it? “Model citizens”? It’s a play on words…never mind. This is a makeover show, not a competition. The women will get complete overhauls and fashion advise that suits them as individuals.

Anyway, this will be the third fashion-themed reality show on the CW, including their newest, “Stylista”, which debuts on October 22.  All shows are produced by Tyra Banks and Ken Mok.

From the CW:

TWO GIRLS ARE SENT HOME IN A SURPRISE ELIMINATION The ladies practice their strut down a catwalk while wearing blindfolds and one girl shocks the judges when she decides to lift her dress while posing. The winner of the blindfold challenge will pose for designer Kira Plastinina in a Seventeen Magazine advertorial. In this week’s photo challenge, the girls pose with their eyes. After the judges deliberate, one girl is sent packing. Tyra Banks, Paulina Porizkova, J. Alexander and Nigel Barker are the judges.

And don’t forget to read Lakiya Emerson’s recap on RealityRollCall.com.

Lakiya Emerson’s recap of America’s Next Top Model will return next week. There were some circumstances that prevented her from blogging this week, and as we all know, stuff happens.

However, she wants her Reality Roll Call readers to know that she will be back with her recap next week.

It’s makeover time, and tonight the girls get snipped, weaved, dyed and blow-dried to bring out their best high fashion looks. But before their scissor dates, Tyra meets with the crew to tell them about her own first makeover experience—she had to get a weave and her agency told her she needed to lose 15 pounds to work in high fashion. Tyra’s mother said no, and they ended up remaking her to go for the kind of all-American look that would snag her choice contracts with Victoria’s Secret and the cover of Sports Illustrated. Since Tyra loves a theme, she has all the girls wearing little tiaras, while she wears a large one. Then, Ms. J walks in dressed as the wicked stepmother from Snow White and gives Tyra an apple. It was a sight, and if Disney ever does a Broadway show for the classic, they should definitely call Ms. J. Tyra eats the apple and fake passes out. Then Mr. Jay shows up dressed like an overbronzed Prince Charming, awakes Tyra with a kiss, and reveals that he’s much stronger than he appears when he carries Tyra off.

From the CW:

IT’S TIME FOR MAKEOVERS! The ladies are excited when Tyra reveals it’s time for makeovers. Hair is cut and tears are shed when the girls see their new looks for the first time. The models head to Malibu for a swimsuit shoot with supermodel & designer Susan Holmes. After the judges deliberate, one girl is sent packing.

And don’t forget to read Lakisha Emerson’s recap tomorrow on Reality Roll Call.