I've been saving a bunch of TV shows for a day like today. Carefully hoarded shows were on the agenda tonight! The finale of The Amazing Race, The Amazing Race Asia (English speaking version with Asian countries citizens doing the same thing as the US version) and the first 3 episodes of Make Me A Supermodel.
All of it was a welcome break to all this work I've been doing lately. What's been especially good is MMaS on Bravo. Like Next Top Model most of these guys/gals will never really attain each of their show's titles. I do believe MMaS has a better shot at it than Top Model. First off the casting is infinitely more realistic. Unlike Top Model where they try to show a diversity of races, ranges of ages, heights and weights. All good stuff but in reality the fashion industry is looking for post teen, white, tall and skinny. It's unspoken and it's not fair but that's the truth.
The drama is focused on the contestants and the drama that ensues with them living together. Top Model unfortunately is often times a bit too much about Tyra than the contestants. Niki Taylor and Tyson Beckford share duties hosting. Perhaps they're not the most boisterous but a bit of a break from Tyra's style is welcome. I now fast forward thru all of Tyra spiels that have been in every freakin' episode over the past gazillion seasons.
The biggest difference is the addition of guys vying to be winner. The boys have made the show surprisingly enjoyable with the conflict of alpha males can bring and both hetero and gay sexual tension amongst the competitors. The competitions are great and way more fun with boys and girls.
In the last part of the show there's always a runway challenge. They really do some fun stuff but not in the weird ways that Top Model gets into. The coed format of the show allows for fun and surprising catwalk performances. How can you not have a great show when the challenged is named: Equestrian with a fetish twist!
Ultimately what's great about the show is we get to watch an entire show with beautiful people in it and the viewers get to decide who gets sent home (via telephone voting available in the US only).