That whole "wait, what is this supposed to be?" quality extended to the cameos by Tyra (who was apparently mid-moult while wearing her best Jane Fonda-circa-1983 Halloween costume) and Youtube phenomenon Keenan Cahill, as the two were interjected into every video and lip synced to each song. What kind of career is Tyra wanting the winner of this show to have, exactly? Does she want them to be a legitimate model/TV personality that can possibly open up doors for future winners/contestants of this dog-and-pony? Or does she want to create a "celebutante" that tries to get as much media coverage as they can get, whether it be positive or negative? At this point, I'm leaning toward the latter, which is a shame because the former would have been such a good thing for the show as a whole; the winner of this show will want to have a lengthy career in the fashion/entertainment industry and I don't see that happening if they were to do videos like this. It may make for a silly episode of television, but that's not what this cycle of Top Model was supposed to be about and at this point, I don't think any of the remaining contestants are prepared enough to penetrate the pop culture consciousness.
While I did enjoy "Game" for what its worth, America's Next Top Model: I Watch So You Don't Have To has been a flawed exercise in Tyra's ridiculousness and there are enough holes in the logic of this thing to sink a fleet of aircraft carriers. Per usual with cycle 17, I see the idea of the episode well; it's just that the execution was, well, lacking, to say the least. 2011 is a world where the internet and technology play a pivotal role in the shaping of culture and having the girls familiarize themselves with how to connect to a large body of people while showcasing their personality seems like a worthy challenge for any Top Model cycle. However, it seems like the show wants its remaining contestants to focus more on getting their name out there by any means necessary, regardless of whether a move will leave them unbookable for a job or if they'll become more of a punchline than a semi-respected member of the entertainment industry. I keep wanting to love Top Model: All-Stars and while "Game" was the closest I've come this cycle to embracing the cray-cray, there's still too much wrong with it to fully latch hold to.
Thoughts, Quotes, & Observations:
- "It's just like...freakishly freaking her out."
- "Damn! Could this bitch stop winning? Please."
- "I still don't feel like you're married to the car."
- "Now people are hearing music with their eyes."
- Alexandria is gone, which I agreed with as her performance was stiff and awkward, but how Shannon is still there, I'll never know.
- If you want to check out the Youtube channels for Madison and Keenan Cahill, two of tonight's guest stars, they're here and here.
- Game's crush on Allison was very sweet. Plus, he's one of the best guest judges the show's had this season, so I enjoyed having him around.
- Dominique was flawless in her video. I've never been a huge fan of her look, but with that lighting and in that outfit, she was mesmerizing. To me, she was a combination of Leona Lewis, Beyonce, and Jennifer Lopez, all weave and bronze and fierceness.
- Of the songs played tonight, I would honestly buy Lisa's, Allison's, Angelea's, and Dominique's. Shameful, I know. Three of those would be good work out/house cleaning songs and the other would be a good song to write to, so sue me. No, don't sue me.
- It was revealed today that cycle 17's finale date is December 7th. I think we need to have a prayer circle or a candlelight vigil afterwards, don't you? Or at least a group hug for surviving this beautiful disaster together.
- Next week: The remaining modeloonies will get a chance to collaborate on what could be their final runway gown, while Shannon's weird moral code continues giving me fits.
I love that you thought Dominique was fierce in this. I don’t think she got a lot of credit. I don’t think all the judges like her =( She does have a distinguished look and I love that about her. Allison and as much as I don’t like Lisa have stayed the most true to their brand. I hope Laura gets more out of this too. Thank you for making a comment about Shannon her code is so hypocritical that I feel like smacking her already.