Former Victoria’s Secret supermodel Tyra Banks started hosting her reality show called America’s Next Top Model in May of 2003. The first “cycle” consisted of ten women competing for a $100,000 modeling contract with CoverGirl cosmetics.

The basic gist is that a group of females is chosen to live in the “ANTM Mansion” as some call it, and each week there is a photo shoot that results in the weakest contestant getting sent home. There are also small challenges in which the girls also compete for smaller prizes, such as dinner with a fashion designer or extra frames at the next photo shoot.

Each season, or cycle, after roughly half of the underdogs have been eliminated they are taken somewhere to continue the competition overseas and experience the vast cultural differences. This helps the judges with their decisions as to who can take on the task of being a universally known model.

Personally, I love the show. Every Wednesday I wait anxiously for seven o’clock so I can find out what their next photo shoot theme is and who will be eliminated. Call me materialistic and call it a waste of time, but I think even if you’re male, the show can be enjoyable.

Currently in swing is America’s Next Top Model Cycle 8. There are six remaining contestants, Brittany, Dionne, Jael, Jaslene, Natasha, and Renee. My favorite is Jael, and my absolutely least favorite contestant is Natasha. There are definitely some conflicts between the girls, and feelings get hurt…but the “reality” part is what makes it great.

I’d give America’s Next Top Model three thumbs up! You know, if I had three thumbs…