Tyra Banks announces 'America's Next Top Model' departures

Tyra Banks on Thursday announced the departure of several key members of the "America's Next Top Model" team. "ANTM" long-timers Nigel Barker, Jay Manuel and J. Alexander won't be returning when the series begins its 19th cycle in the fall.

In a statement, "ANTM" executive producers Banks and Ken Mok said, "Nigel Barker, Jay Manuel and J. Alexander have been an integral part of the 'America's Next Top Model' brand and they helped turn this show into the household name it is today.  They have been amazing assets to the show and will always be a part of the 'Top Model' family. We will continue to actively work with each of them on future projects."

Banks made a more personal statement on her Twitter account on Thursday night, writing, "Fierce & love 2 my @NigelBarker, @MrJayManuel & Miss J. #ANTM turned us in2 a family. Excited for what the future holds for us. XOXO TyTy."

The trio served as the reality show's panel of experts and had been with the show for years. Manuel, who oversaw the show's photo shoots, and Alexander, who was the runway coach, had been with the show since it's first cycle in 2003. Fashion photographer and judge Barker joined in 2004.

The long-running series has suffered from all-time low ratings during its most recent cycle, which began airing in February to an audience of just 1.3 million people for the premiere episode. That was down 45% from the audience for the previous cycle's premiere.

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Photo: Jay Manuel, left, and J. Alexander. Credit: Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times.

TCA 2011: CW chief Mark Pedowitz open to comedies on the network

Vampires, Upper East Siders and rogue CIA agents. Now witches and the return of Sarah Michelle Gellar. It can only be the CW.

Mark Pedowtiz, the newly minted president of the mini-network, appeared Thursday at the Television Critics Assn. media tour in Beverly Hills to discuss what’s in store for viewers: extended seasons for some of its shows, more reality series and ... maybe some comedy?

Four of the network’s series will have an extended season: “Gossip Girl” and “90210” will get an additional two episodes, bringing their total to 24; “Supernatural” and “Nikita” will get a one-episode boost, bringing their tally to 23. Not getting a supersized season, despite solid ratings, is “The Vampire Diaries” — but it’s due to the grueling post-production process on the series, Pedowitz insisted.

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All this is on top of the highly anticipated return of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” queen Gellar in the network’s new thriller “RInger,” inherited from CBS, which did not pick it up. And he said the show would not suffer “one bit” from the different budget of a smaller network.

And in addition to the Mario Lopez-hosted “H8er,” which pairs celebrities with their detractors, and the seemingly never-ending cycles of “America’s Next Top Model,” other reality fare is on the horizon: One, “Remodeled,” will come midseason to give “America’s Next Top Model” a rest, and “Frame” a competition series in the vein of “Big Brother,” will lock two people in a house for eight weeks.

But with a new president -- Pedowitz , a former ABC exec, replaced Dawn Ostroff earlier this year -- comes new possibilities. Pedowitz said he was a fan of remakes, citing “90210” as success, and said plans for a new superhero to charm audiences in a “Smallville”-less world was still to come. Ostroff had first hinted at last year’s TCA press tour that the network was looking to other DC superheroes to fill the void.

'America's Next Top Model' finale recap: The winner takes a fall

"America's Next Top Model" ended this week, not with a bang but with a whole lot of whimpering. This was the first finale in several cycles in which there wasn't a clear front-runner. Brittani has a quirky, high-fashion look and a searing runway walk, but Molly had been taking pictures that made the judges drool all throughout their trip to Morocco.

What it really came down to was attitude. It turns out that a bad attitude alone won't get you sent home, but if Tyra and the Jays are choosing between two fairly equally matched contestants and one is actually easy to work with, the model with a sunnier disposition will win every time. In the end, Brittani won despite her spectacular runway boo-boo because she was just easier to work with.

Then again, it may just because Tyra has a soft spot for women who can keep modeling through difficulty. During the requisite flashbacks throughout the season, Brittani was the girl who grew up in a trailer park and took care of her socially anxious mother, while Molly's bitter crankiness stemmed from, as the voiceover put it, having "loving adoptive parents who've supported her every step of the way." Hmmm, tip your hand a bit, Tyra? During their Covergirl commercial, Molly got wound up and came across as a sour princess while Brittani managed to charm her way through it with ease. At the next photo shoot — this one for Beauty in Vogue — Molly was complaining like a starving Dickensian orphan because she was cold and someone forgot to put chicken in her lunch.

But where Brittani really started to have the upper hand sympathy-wise was when Molly's parents, who did seem totally loving and adorable, showed up to the models' apartment door in Morocco. Brittani had to settle for a video chat with her mom, who was stuck at home after back surgery, but she didn't sulk about it. That's some emotional maturity that brings home the big bucks, Brittani.

'America's Next Top Model' all-stars revealed

After much fanfare, on Thursday the CW announced the 14 ladies who would be returning for the 17th all-stars edition of "America's Next Top Model." Though some of the most audacious members of seasons past won't be represented -- Jade reportedly turned ANTM down because of the terms of the contract -- some of our favorite drama queens and runner-ups will participate. Alexandria from the current cycle is coming back, not to mention cycle 9's Bianca, who reportedly was in an altercation with "Hairspray's" Nikki Blonsky over seats in an airport lounge. The full list is:

'America's Next Top Model' recap: Tears and fears

It's the week before the finale on "America's Next Top Model," which means one thing: tears. Oceans of them. The cumulative emotional output from this week's episode could easily brine your next Thanksgiving turkey. Now that Alexandria's gone, there's no one to distract from the models' own insecurities, abandonment issues and lack of personality, respectively.

The remaining three models went over their perceived strengths and weaknesses at length on confession cam, with the judges and with one another. Poor Hannah's quavering attempts to be upbeat seemed to convince no one, least of all herself. (Cut to montage of all the times Hannah's cried on the show.) Molly's struggling with her abandonment issues, and Brittani — well Brittani's plan is just to mess Molly up.

It didn't exactly work. On the first challenge, the three girls had to film 90-second spots for "The Insider"  on various beauty trends in Morocco. Brittani, showcasing henna, grabbed the first person she met who spoke English to nod his head at her leading questions. (Brittani: "Henna is commonly used at weddings, right?" Unlucky man: mumbled assent.) Hannah apparently studied journalism, so assumed that she had the spot in the bag. But for all her quavering trash talk, Hannah's piece on Argan oil was pretty lackluster and sort of painful to watch in the beginning. Molly did fairly well until the last three seconds, when she said "that was horrible" while the camera was still going. Jay awarded her the dubious prize of least bad.

And then: the season's obligatory Tyra-as-Oprah moment. All three girls cried in the Tyra-side chat, in which she harked back to the so-embarassing-I-almost-blocked-it challenge in the second episode where the models had to draw and then shout at their flaws. My favorite part of the whole bonding portion of the show was the Moroccan dancers. Those swinging tasseled hats? Now that's what I want to see Andre Leon Talley sporting.

Donald Trump may be out, but how about Ryan Seacrest for president? Or....

 
Buzzards are circling Donald Trump's presidential hopes. But while the Donald's chances have dimmed, there might be other reality show hosts who could conceivably throw their hat into the presidential ring and bring much-needed flash. So while we "fire" Trump, we look to other hosts who might  take up the torch.

  1.Ty Pennington from ABC's "Extreme Home Makeover." The commander-In-chief should be both inspiring and energetic. Those qualities define the relentlessly upbeat Pennington, who is like the Energizer Bunny on steroids. He could tackle tough legislation, political opponents, wary diplomats, critical journalists, and still have enough stamina to help build an add-on to the White House. Another plus: While most  reality show hosts have only one trademark phrase, Pennington has two that he could adapt for the Oval Office. Instead of "Move that bus!" he could move his agenda forward with "Move that bill!" And imagine how he could conclude his presidential addresses: Instead of "God bless the United States of America," Ty could declare, "Well, I guess there's only one more thing to say. Welcome home, America. Welcome home."

  2. Tyra Banks from the CW's "America's Next Top Model." Yes, we know whenever Tyra goes a bit out of her comfort zone — like singing, dancing or acting — it can be pretty painful to watch. But if she were the POTUS, we could count on her to always look good. People would show up to her speeches just to see her outfit. And unlike President Obama, who has been criticized at times for appearing too passive, Tyra is not afraid to push back when shoved. Just remember her angry salvo at observers who thought she looked fat in swimsuit pictures, "I have one thing to say to you: KISS MY FAT ...!"

 

3. Jeff Probst from CBS' "Survivor": The athletic, handsome Probst has always displayed good humor, diplomacy and command in his "Survivor" duties. He can be stern without being abusive, like Trump. He carries himself with obvious authority, and players on the show listen to whatever he says. He's obviously well traveled. The thought of him saying "The voters have spoken" at the end of a close vote gives us chills.

 

4. Ryan Seacrest from Fox's "American Idol." Those sharp-tongued verbal exchanges with former "Idol" judge Simon Cowell proved Seacrest is no pushover, an essential quality for the Head of State. Seacrest has another endearing quality that would be invaluable for a president: He makes everything look bright even when the world is crashing down. The contestants on "American Idol" who get eliminated on result shows may feel like their dream has ended when Seacrest lowers the boom. But then Seacrest performs his famous flip — he smiles, gives them an encouraging pat or hug, and the fallen singer somehow finds the strength to rally for one more shining moment.  However, his judgment is suspect: We must never forget that Seacrest has given the world a rash of TV shows featuring the Kardashians, so we'd have to always keep a body on him.

5.Julie Chen from CBS' "Big Brother": First, she's married to CBS Chief Executive Leslie Moonves, so Chen knows all about what it is to have power. And fans of  "Big Brother" love how the houseguests blindly do whatever the unseen "Chenbot"  commands. Her unflappable, emotionless voice carries enough authority for them to know she is not to be disobeyed. Who couldn't love a president who can stay behind the scenes, carry ultimate authority and be totally stoic in the face of changing, unpredictable events?

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'America's Next Top Model' eliminee Alexandria: 'I wasn't trying to be the villain'

Tears, insecurity, and petty squabbling are all regular features of "America's Next Top Model," but this season there was one undisputed queen of drama: Alexandria Everett. Whether it was correcting the gaffers on the set of a commercial, pouting during panel, or driving the other girls to distraction with her constant pointers --  if there were hurt feelings or exasperated judges, you could probably turn to Alexandria. But her statuesque figure and poise coupled with the ability to charm the pants off industry folks kept landing her in the top two, to her housemates' constant annoyance.

On this week's episode, Alexandria's control-freak side finally got the best of her, imbuing her photo with what Nigel Barker deemed "the look of a flight attendant," and the judges sent her packing. But Alexandria's not stressing out too much about it. When I spoke with her, she was getting ready to go to the beach. "I'll probably be on a surfboard when I'm 70 years old," she said with a laugh. 

What happened in Morocco? Were you surprised to be going home?

I was a little surprised, but I wanted to take everything in very humbly. I wasn't meant to win this one. If there's a higher power or a God or an Allah or whoever makes that decision, I believe it's every religion combined into one. You understand that there's an evil side and a blessed side, and I'm grateful to be part of  the blessed side.

The other models often labeled you as the bad guy in the house. How did you feel watching that?

Signing up for this, I understood that they would be editing it the way they want. You know, I do consider myself to be a b-i-t-c-h: a beautiful individual that creates haters. I tried to avoid the cattiness, and be a better person. Talking behind peoples' backs doesn't set a good example for anyone. I was never trying to be a villain.

You often got accused of being over-controlling by the judges, too.

I hate that! It was a disadvantage, but I did it to myself. I'm not blaming Mr. Jay right now. He set me up to fail on the camel shoot by saying to the photographer that I was controlling and he would have to push me. But honestly, what they saw as controlling was when I was trying to help. You see a bum on the corner and you feel that gut-clenching feeling, you give your last penny to him. I always want to help, and it's gotten me a bite in the butt. I could see where I helped and I should have just stepped back.

'America's Next Top Model' recap: Souqin' it up

Was it just me, or did this week's episode of "America's Next Top Model" veer into dreckitude territory? Sure, there was another round of fire-related high jinks. Yes, Molly's bleeped-out cursing reached an all-time high, and there was the whole eating-goat-brain moment. But even with all that possible Orientalist-leaning adventure and a pretty unexpected elimination, the end of a cycle always feels like the doldrums, and this one doesn't even have an added spice of house drama to keep it alive.

Perhaps it's just because all the girls are just so desperately serious right now. Hannah began the episode by painting each of the remaining four in the broadest marketing strokes possible: There's trailer-park-turned-model Barbie, surfer Barbie, girl-next-door Barbie and, um ... angry Barbie? Even the tea with Franca Sozzani didn't stir much up, except for Brittani's halfhearted queries about the future of print magazines. Luckily, Ms. Jay was there to save the day with a challenge that Alexandria described as "very cultural," which is a pretty great euphemism for "some weird foreign thing": Everyone had to dance with a tea tray on their head.

But wait, there's more! All of the models then had to do it live with professional dancers thrown in. And, oh yeah, the tea cups were replaced by candles. Most of the girls did impressively well, considering, but Molly the grouch tripped going down the skirt, cursed a blue streak and never really recovered her dignity (or her teapot, for that matter.) Alexandria hammed it up, but got a little too "In Da Club" with her moves and the whole tray came crashing down. (But as Britanni pointed out, Alexandria had an unfair advantage because "her head is flat on top." Oh?) Britanni won the challenge anyway, and brought Hannah along for a one-on-one runway-walking lesson with Ms. Jay. The whole thing was pretty painful to watch. Ms. Jay was just about one step away from rending his tunic.

'America's Next Top Model' eliminee Kasia: 'Nobody should be treated like that'

Tyra Banks is known for choosing slightly out-of-the-box models to compete for the title of "America's Next Top Model," but this season the model rainbow range of diversity has been relatively flat. That is, except for Kasia Pilewicz, the lone plus-sized member of the group, who's been making a name for "fiercely real" models like herself by doing something pretty revolutionary for the show: She doesn't really bring it up. Until this week's episode, the term "body issues" had hardly been used, unusual for a show that feasts upon the drama created by tiny insecurities. Kasia was eliminated this week after an awkward camel-centric photo shoot and some not-so-flattering editing.

"This last shoot seemed almost malicious to me," Kasia told me over the phone. "They seemed to only show clips of me between poses, so I came off super awkward. I don't appreciate it." Kasia, who struggled to find a piece that fit to do a runway challenge at designer Noureddine Amir's showroom, felt like things got uncomfortable in the dressing room. "In every other place they've had something that fit. They took very thorough and accurate measurements, and I ended up having a team of people who don't speak English trying to dress me, being disgusted. Nobody should be treated like that."

You had the most experience out of all the models. How did it help you on the show?

As far as posing and bringing emotion, I didn't get a lot of complaints about having dead eyes. I always had great emotion going. But obviously a lot of the things we did were not the kind of work I've done. The photo shoots on the show are more elaborate, which doesn't happen a lot in the real fashion world. My experience didn't necessarily prepare me, say, for walking in a bubble. I never walked a runway where I feared for my hands burning off. I'm no Hollywood stuntman.

'America's Next Top Model' recap: Off to Morocco

The ladies were experiencing life in a foreign land this week on "America's Next Top Model," which means shots of confused Americans in spice markets, borderline-offensive accent reenactments and at least one uncomfortable animal moment. Molly remained a total sourpuss, kicking off the Morocco episode by complaining that she had to pretend to be cheerful and excited about camels even though she would rather sulk in a corner somewhere. Alexandria's old control-freak habits reared up again, and Hannah finally came up with a good picture.

Before getting settled in their new condo in Marrakech, the ladies were greeted by a turbanned Ms. Jay,  who pointed them toward a delicious lunch. But not, of course, before requiring all of the contestants to take pictures with street performers' monkeys, and getting the models well and truly culture shocked. "I feel like Aladdin!" Hannah said at one point. Sigh. 

After lunch, which was mostly an opportunity for the editors to splice in all the confession camera smack talk the ladies have been spouting, the modeltestants went to the showroom of designer Noureddine Amir to try on some half basket-half dresses. Poor Kasia's fiercely real figure fit into only the drabbest of the outfits, and the body image complaints she had so successfully avoided this season came tumbling out. Andre Leon Talley named Brittani the best walker and allowed her a good 30 seconds of gloating before whisking the girls away to their next challenge.

'America's Next Top Model': Jaclyn: 'I might be sweet, but I have moves'

This cycle of 'America's Next Top Model' has been full of freak-outs, cat fights and whispered confession camera vendettas. But if there's one girl who's managed to skirt the nastiness and keep her composure it's Jaclyn Poole, a curly-haired belle from Texas with a cartoonish voice, a distinctive drawl, and a bubbly personality that won over the judges. "I think I have a toothache," one casting director met after meeting with Jaclyn, "she's just so sweet!"

Alas for Jaclyn, it wasn't so much her modeling skills as her sense of direction that sent her home. On this week's episode, Jaclyn went to the fewest go-sees and produced a so-so photograph. But even after all the swiling drama and the disappointment of getting eliminated right before the models all flew to Morocco, Jaclyn had barely a mean word to say about anyone. "I don't like when people fight," Jaclyn said over the phone, "I tend to play the referee. I probably should have brought my whistle out. I even brought a whistle with me." 

There's been so much drama around Alexandria this season. How did you manage to avoid it?

You know, 14 girls living together under the pressure of competion, there's bound to be a couple tuff.  It's such an awesome experience, but sometimes it gets a little out of hand. I think that the Lord has given us each and every day better, and I try to stay out of the way of that kind of stuff.

Having a bad attitude has landed so many people in the bottom this competition — Alexandria, Molly, and Brittani — but they seem to survive. Did you ever feel like being good-natured was a disadvantage in the competition?

The other girls are beautiful, and they have so much experience. They sent me home because I didn't get to the go-sees and my picture wasn't up to their expectations. I have no regrets other than not reading a map. I'm proud of myself. 

You also had a great moment with Tyra Banks centered around those booty fillers...

Oh, that was so much fun, when Tyra told me to pick up a pencil? I mean, I am sweet, and I know I come off that way, but I have moves too.  I hope people didn't think I was looking skanky. I'm not going to be a beanpole, I know how to pick up a pencil the right way. I have rhythm. I was having fun. It was just so awesome.

In the last episode, it seemed like the photo shoot in the garbage dump was pretty grueling. What was it actually like to spend that much time in a gown waist-deep in trash?

Well, for one thing, whenever I go to the beach with my family, I always want to feed the seagulls. But those seagulls? They are dirty birds, and I never want to see them again, It was just the smelliest, nastiest place we've ever been. 

Did you at least get to keep the gown that was made for you?

Oh, I wish we did! I felt like a dark Princess Leia in mine. Though I'm not sure where I would wear it if I did get to keep it. 

So what's next? You mentioned elsewhere that, aside from modeling, your dream is to train Beluga whales.

The friendly white ones! They're so sweet. I got to interact with one. I hope to be able to persue that as well as modeling, and I'd like to work with old people. I love hearing old people's stories. 

Did you wish that Tyra would have concocted an aquarium challenge — couture gowns with whales?

I was hoping so bad! I would have gotten that photo.

Photo: Jaclyn preps for a photo shoot. Credit: Chris Frawley / The CW

'America's Next Top Model' recap: Go-sees a go go

Is Alexandria's bratty strategy actually working? Though she's been driving everyone else in the house crazy this cycle, this week's episode of "America's Next Top Model" put the sour-faced, bonnet-loving princess squarely in the lead. Not only did she nail the go-sees for (natch) being the most personable and outgoing, but she also got rave reviews for her photo this week. Before, it seemed like the judges were keeping her around for all that zesty drama. Now, it seems as though Alexandria might have a shot at taking the title. 

The other girls were not so lucky, thanks in part to that most dreaded of all "Top Model" challenges: the go-sees. Because the contest combine things like introducing themselves to strangers with actually locating those strangers on a map, go-sees are always harrowing for the contestants. This season's go-sees seemed a little easier than those of yore. For one thing, the models weren't navigating around a city in a foreign country, and for another, they each had a driver and a map. Alas, those were no guarantee of success. Molly, who clearly never received an orienteering badge in Girl Scouts, managed to get lost while on the right street. I began to feel sorry for the drivers, who were subjected to more near-death highway experiences than the stuntmen in "Speed."

Alexandria's first advantage was that she's from L.A. — and thus knew the back ways of her hometown better than, say, Jaclyn, who explained that her hometown of Belton, Texas, only had "a Wa-Mart and a Bush's Chicken." But more than any other contestant, Alexandria seemed to have a grasp of basic interview skills. Molly unfortunately tended to grimace whenever a camera wasn't directly on her, and Jaclyn's bubbly Southern accent seemed to be a disadvantage over at House Casting. For maybe the first time in "Top Model" history, all six models made it back to the meeting place on time, and the top three go-seers — Kasia, Molly and Alexandria — competed in one final audition to be in a Lana Marks campaign. Alexandria took it, thanks to Molly's misery-face when it wasn't her turn, and Brittani, Jaclyn and Hannah were left to ponder their fate.