Tag Archives: Australia’s Next Top Model

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Best of 2016: TV Shows

How does one pick just 12 TV shows to make a “best of” list without going insane?!  It’s a struggle I had last year and with an influx of impressive new shows, it doesn’t get any easier.  That said, I chained myself to my desk, a list was made, shows were culled and now here it is, my Best of 2016 TV Shows list.

12: American Crime Story Season 1 [New Entry]

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There was going to be no shock surprises with how this real life re-telling of the sensational OJ Simpson case ended yet somehow, we all watched with baited breath to see what was coming next.  What made this series so exciting to watch comes down to the genius casting and slick handling of how this story was told.  Sarah Paulson as lawyer Marcia Clark, Cuba Gooding Jnr as OJ Simpson and John Travolta as Robert Shapiro equaled perfect casting and played so well along the story telling that at times we flitted between feeling for Clark and her battle to win what should have been an open and shut case and Simpson who, while clearly guilty, was dealing with the possibility of losing everything his glorified sporting career had gotten him.  In the 90’s the OJ Simpson trial was must-watch TV and today, American Crime Story was also must-watch TV.

11: The Exorcist Season 1 [New Entry]

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It was a big effort for the supernatural show breathing new life into the timeless horror classic but with surprising plot twists, impressive special effects, strong story lines and the star power of Geena Davis, The Exorcist has managed to deliver a show worthy to sit among the Exorcist timeline.

10: Grace and Frankie Season 2 [#10 in 2015]

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It was a very strong and solid outing for the second season of this Netflix comedy starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin about two 60+ year old women facing life as singles after their husbands them them for each other..  Feeling much more confident in this outing, Grace (Fonda) and Frankie (Tomlin) deal with the fallout of Sol (Sam Waterston) and Roberts (Martin Sheen) relationship breakdown.  The topic of mortality was often seen throughout the season, especially towards the back end of the season in which a touching story line involving a long time friend suffering from terminal cancer decides to end things on her own terms.

9: American Housewife Season 1 [New Entry]

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This light-hearted comedy about a middle class family living a fish-out-of-water life in the rich Connecticut town of Westport hit many funny notes in its first outing.  A family based comedy at heart, topics of body image, fitting in and making the most out what life has handed to you featured heavily throughout the season all while never taking itself too seriously.  Katie Otto’s (Katy Mixon) friend time spent with  Doris (Ali Wong) make up a large portion of what makes this a great show to watch.

8: Australia’s Next Top Model Cycle 10 [New Entry]

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Celebrating 10 seasons, the model search reality show competition pulled out all stops from the addition of Megan Gale to the judging panel to an impressive line-up of worthy competitors to the guest list of world famous models (Elle McPherson and Miranda Kerr to name a few) that popped up along the way to offer some sound advice.  The photo shoots were more glamorous and the resulting photos even more stunning.   While the scoring system still remains the shows biggest downfall, this recent cycle proved why our version of this show remains one of the best in the world.

7: How to Get Away With Murder Season 3 [#4 in 2015]

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Another season, another murder, another set of flashbacks bringing us to a spine tingling revelation, surrounded by weekly court cases.  It’s a solid system that works for the legal/murder drama but season three changed things up by killing off one of the series main stars in a glorious and shocking mid season finale while tying in major events that had occurred throughout the first two seasons bringing everything together in one very neat package.

6: Wentworth Season 4 [#7 in 2015]

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Bringing Joan ‘The Freak’ Ferguson into the walls of Wentworth prison was not this season’s shining glory.  While it played out nicely over the season and created one heck of a finale, it was the Bea Smith (Danielle Cormack) and Allie Novak (Kate Jenkinson) romance that really spurred this season along.  The tender yet volatile relationship between the hard as nails ‘top dog’ and prison junkie was put to the test by both Joan and Kaz Proctor (Tammy Macintosh) that it ended up with such brutal heartache.

5: Better Things Season 1 [New Entry]

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Sam Fox (Pamela Adlon) is a working actress, mother to three daughters and a woman with not enough time on her hands.  Better Things had no big fanfare around it’s premiere, instead relying on very strong story telling revolving around the circle of motherhood and powerful performances from lead Adlon and her on-screen offspring (Hannah Alligood, Olivia Edward, and Mikey Madison).  There’s also a list of brilliant cameos from David Duchovny to Constance Zimmer to Julie Bowen and Lenny Kravitz.  If one needs to know more, just watch the season one finale titled “Only Women Bleed” where Sam comes across all kinds of obstacles just getting her three daughters dressed and ready for school before dealing with a very real and confronting personal situation involving her middle daughter Frankie.  It’s pretty much a perfect half hour of television.

4: The Walking Dead Season 7 [New Entry]

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Controversial choice considering the backlash from fans with the introduction of Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and the very graphic deaths of Abraham (Michael Cudlitz) and Glenn (Steven Yuen).  This season of TWD has once again split our survivors into multiple groups, each of which are discovering have all had the same dealings with the bat wielding pack leader.  From Ricks’ (Andrew Lincoln) submission to Negan to Darryl (Norman Reedus) playing prisoner to Carol (Melissa McBride) unsuccessfully going it on the road alone, the tension and raw emotion has never been higher.

3: Ink Master Season 8 – Peck Vs Nunez [New Entry]

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How to change up a slightly stale reality competition series without bringing back past fan favorite contestants over and over?  Do it the Ink Master way!  Pitting judges Oliver Peck and Chris Nunez against each other with hand picked teams of tattoo artists has breathed new life into this show, boasting a massive line up of contestants that were being eliminated from day dot.  The flash challenges have been more interesting, the tattooing more intense and the girl power all female alliance – never seen before on Ink Master – has proven to be one of the greatest alliances ever on the series and put two females (Ryan Ashley Malarkey and Kelly Doty) into the live finale.  Another season like this is highly recommended!

2: Stranger Things Season 1 [New Entry]

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Most of us were instantly drawn into this Netflix series just off the awesomely authentic 80’s synthesized opening theme.  It played so well into this tale of medical experiments, a missing child, a seriously creepy ‘underworld’ and a nameless little girl trying to survive – all set in the mid 1980’s.  The flash and meme worthy series (Barb anyone?!) offered up cover-ups and government conspiracies, utter scares and touching moments given by pretty much all over the main cast.

1: UnReal Season 2 [#2 in 2015]

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Always a sketchy move coming off a bumper first series but UnReal kept doing what it does best – offering up must-watch TV that is smartly written and skillfully acted.  Rachel (Shiri Appebey) goes fully fledged into girl power territory by becoming BFF’s with her boss Quinn (Constance Zimmer) after the breakup of her romance with season one bachelor Adam (Freddie Stroma) and makes the bold move to introduce Everlasting’s first ever black suitor in NFL quarterback Darius Beck (B.J Britt).  The perusing episodes throughout the season slam into us like a steamroller on steroids as Rachel and Quinn constantly butt heads and egos, both trying to take control of the show and climb up the Hollywood glass ladder.

 

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Australia’s Next Top Model Final 2 – Who Will Win?

Alex, dear Alex, we were rooting for you to win!
                                                           Alex, dear Alex, we were rooting for you to win!

Anyone else like me and feeling a little ‘ripped off’ when top model hopeful and obvious final two choice, Alex, was sent packing in the pre-finale double elimination?  I know more than a fair share echo my thoughts…

One interesting comment I came across regarding the elimination was how the final photo’s chosen in the Nigel Barker photo shoot differed from what we had seen the models do and what would happen if the models themselves were to chose their photo.  Let’s take a look below:

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Front runner Brittany was the weakest during this shoot and even when she ‘got it’ she was still quite stiff when compared to the other girls.  She of course ended up with a stunning photo and rightfully nabbed her place in the final two.

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It also too some time for Jess to warm up-to the outfit and platform sneakers but when you compare her chosen shot versus her actual shoot, you can clearly see a huge difference in the energy in the image.

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Lucy came out guns blazing from the go for the shoot, but she also had the easiest of outfit’s to wear.  Her chosen shot almost matched what we had seen her do during her shoot.

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Last but not least is little Alex.  The bulkiest of outfits, we saw this girl running and jumping and leaping and working that outfit for….this chosen shot on the right.

CONSPIRACY THEORY!!!

So we have our final two – tomboy truck driver Brittany from Victoria and sweet as pie teen Jess from QLD.  The Aussie Top Model crew are changing it up this year by removing the live finale and the choice of winner based on public vote and in return, giving us a pre-taped finale with Top Model Mother Tyra Banks selecting the winner.  The negative here….the winner has already been leaked.

Guess it means no one can stuff up the winners announcement.

Tell me your thoughts people – Lucy or Brittany?  Who is Cycle 9’s Australia’s Next Top Model Winner?

Australia’s Next Top Model Cycle 9 finale airs Thursday night, 7:30pm on FOX8

Australia's Next Top Model, FRONT, Reality TV, TV

First Look: Australia’s Next Top Model Cycle 9

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Didier Cohen, Jennifer Hawkins, Cheyenne Tozzi and Alex Perry play judges and mentors in this new AusNTM cycle

We’re almost at that time where I get to plant myself in front of the TV, watching wannabe models battle for top spot, with a large glass of moscato in hand and an over sized plate of various cheeses and crackers in my lap – seriously, it’s my guilty pleasure!

April 30th will see Cycle 9 of Australia’s Next Top Model begin on FOX8 and this year, there are changes aplenty that not only shake up the competition but also makes me question just how personal the judges will be in their critiques of the models with some new-found power.

The first of the major changes is a new point system brought in to ‘fairly’ rank the models from best to worst on a week to week basis.  The girls will each earn points out of 10 for their mini challenge and their maxi challenge (photo shoot), with the model on the lowest amount of points sent packing.  As of writing, the three episodes I have seen to date, judge Alex Perry is the final judge to offer up his score, thus determining which model stays and which one goes.

So, a word of advice to the models – don’t piss off Alex Perry!

And while we’re on the topic of Alex Perry, he seems rather pissed off this season.  That familiar facial growl looks more darker than normal…I know he’s happy with the final 12 (he says it’s the best to date)..perhaps he’s trying to bring some sharp edged fork tongue to the panel but so far, 3 episodes in, Perry is yet to look like he’s enjoying his experience with the show.

Fresh off beating Naomi Campbell on The Face Australia, the ridiculously stunning Cheyenne Tozzi joins the show as a mentor along side regular Didier Cohen.  I don’t know if her time spent with Campbell on The Face gave Tozzi some coping skills but we see her calmly deal with models having anxiety attacks back stage at a catwalk challenge and erratic bitch fit tantrums over ill-fitting shoes at a photo shoot all-the-while offering words of wisdom and friendly critiques.  Didier Cohen is still the same however…not that that’s a bad thing.  The girls fawn, I fawn, he smiles, the girls smile, I smile…it’s a win win.

Tanahya, Alex and Kaitlyn are just some of the new faces this season. Source: Fox8
Tanahya, Alex and Kaitlyn are just some of the new faces this season. Source: Fox8

With the sudden death of my favorite judge Charlotte Dawson, a judges chair has been left wide open, so Cycle 9 sees an injection of international faces on the judging panel (none of whom can match Dawson’s biting wit) with Victoria’s Secret angel Alessandra Ambrosio, TV personality Kelly Osbourne, fashion designer icon Jean-Paul Gaultier, Kim Kardashian (via video) and Tyra Banks among other names, all set for appearances.

So let’s talk those with their ‘smize‘ on the prize for cycle 9.  There’s your typical fare of gorgeous blondes and brunettes (Jessica, Phoebe, Lucy, Tanahya etc) and the one who’s stunning but Alex Perry finds too short (Alex), there’s your sweet girls with legs up-to their ears (Kaitlyn, Jordan, Lauren, Jess), your token bogan-turned-model (Brittany), the girl who knows shes fabulous but can’t walk in heels (Ayieda) and finally the if-she-were-anymore-laid-back-she’d-be-dead girl (Jess).  To be honest though, there’s no real surprises with the top 12 here, but then again, it’s a modelling competition so as long as the girls look good and can squeal with delight over famous folk, then there off to a good start.

Last but not least is host and judge Jennifer Hawkins.  With a full season now under her tiny belt, Hawkins now seems very at ease with her hosting duties and interactions with the models.  The awkward and uncomfortable banter from season 8 is gone, replaced with a more confident host who seems to have found her stride in getting the job done.

Thursdays first episode opens with ‘Top Model’ herself Tyra Banks praising our local version of the show, noting the numerous success stories that have come from the model search and touchingly, adds a beautiful message and tribute to our dearly departed Charlotte Dawson.

There’s no messing around this season as we jump straight into a final 12 selection who are thrown right into a catwalk in-front of 400 fashionistas.  Yes…there are tears and also a moment where you’ll be uttering the words “It’s like watching Bambii learn how to walk”.  Who will be the first model sent packing?  Who will win?  When will Georges Antoni turn up to grace my screen take stunning photos of the models?  Will Jean-Paul Gaultier whisk one of the models away to France? How much cheese will I have to buy to see me through the entire season?  It all begins Thursday April 30th, 7:30pm on FOX8

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Naomi Campbell Gives Us Face

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Supermodel Naomi Campbell Isn’t Playing Nice on The Face Australia

What happens when you mix Australia’s Next Top Model and The Voice?  You get The Face Australia, the newest reality competition hitting our screens Tuesday night.

Three judges/mentors, comprising of Naomi Campbell, Cheyenne Tozzi and Nicole Trunfio battle it out to fill their team of four wannabe models and mentor them through challenges and photo shoots with the hopes one of their girls will take out the top prize – becoming ‘The Face’ of Fresh Effects by Olay, walking away with a real contract as the brands ambassador.

Those coming into The Face Australia with the presumption of seeing a softer and calmer Naomi Campbell will be disappointed. The Supermodel with a penchant for throwing mobile phones is all bitch stares, killer heels and offering up a ‘win at all costs’ attitude. It’s no wonder the two models who worked with Naomi in the American version (Coco Rocha and Karolina Kurkova)  left before season two began.

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Right from the outset, we’re presented with confident models and even more confident model mentors and it doesn’t take long before fireworks erupt between mentors Naomi Campbell and Nicole Trunfio resulting in the first of many (I’m sure) meltdowns – Campbell slams her folders down, calls Trunfio a f*!khead and then proceeds to storm off set.

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Naomi Tantrum #1 – Source Provided

This, however is not the best part.  The storm-off is quickly followed by Naomi unable to find her way off set…

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Naomi Can’t Find the Exit – Source Provided

There is a lot of tension between Campbell and Trunfio who clash regularly during the castings and the team selections (one could almost call the way Campbell is towards Trunfio a form of bullying) while Cheyenne Tozzi quietly sits beside, observing the impending car crash and looks gorgeous doing so.

The model cull (the original 24 models are cut down to a final 12) results in some rather painfully awkward silences, damaged egos and some clear front runners to take out the top prize.

Due to previous bad luck in choosing favourites for these types of shows (Never had my Number 1 win), I’m not going to be vocal about my top choice, but below are the four girls who would have made my team.

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So how will The Face Australia work?  The models will compete in two challenges each week – The first being a test shoot workshop where they learn from their mentors and the second is a real-life shoot for a client including magazines and clothing brands.  Says mentor Cheyenne Tozzi “We’re there to train them personally. These jobs are real.”

Each week the mentor of the winning team will choose which girl in the bottom two gets eliminated, causing a world of pain and friction for the other mentors involved!

Yes, this is another reality show featuring models wanting to model, but in the end, this is The Naomi Campbell show, and she makes for great reality TV viewing!

The Face Australia starts Tuesday night, March 18th @ 8:30pm on FOX8.

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Model Hopeful Noelani is Giving Face – Source Provided
AUSNTM, FRONT, Local TV, Reality Television

Top Model Finale – Who Will Win?

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Finalists from left to right – Duckie, Melissa and Shanali

One could say that, for the first time in a long time, this series of Australia’s Next Top Model was pretty tame – If you take out the whole Taylah choking Ashley for ruining her Supre’ T-Shirt thing.  Sure, a model was physically attacked and another kicked off the show, but in general, the selection of girls all vying for the crown actually got along with each other.  I think the term bullying was never really used (I should check with Jo Blogs and her tally of catchphrases)

So, tonight, one of three girls will be crowned the winner of Australia’s Next Top Model and it all comes down to a popularity contest, (See ya Melissa – you may take stunning photos but the personality is lacking a tad) which saw all three finalists hitting twitter, Facebook and instagram during the week to strum up votes.  I was concerned when the winner crowned changed from judge vote to public vote, but then I remembered season two winner Eboni Stokes and public vote it is!

My tip to win?  Well, I have publicly said my choices are always taken out early (Rhiannon then Taylah then Jade) and I have no real affliction for any of the final three.  I do like Melissa, but only if the required photo doesn’t require her to show emotion, laugh or be under water.  Duckie is cool and full of personality and should pull votes.

I’m tipping Shanali to win however.  Should I say more?  I’ve just said my run of luck with this competition never ends well.  Perhaps I should change my pick to Duckie?

Who do you want to win?

Australia’s Next Top Model the finale airs tonight on FOX8.

AUSNTM, FRONT, Local TV, Reality Television, TV

When Models Attack: Next Top Model Shock

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Australia’s Next Top Model Contestant Taylah Roberts

First off, let me state that I have little to no luck when it comes to choosing favorites in this modeling competition.  Over the seasons, none, that’s right, none of my chosen favorites have ever made the final.  Right now, i’m none for two on this season.

I can thank Taylah for adding to my Top Model body count after her disqualification from Australia’s Next Top Model last night after a heated confrontation with fellow contestant Ashley.

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Taylah and Ashley and ‘that incident’

I’m not sure if it was the fact the girls found themselves in the outback, or it was the flies, lack of food perhaps?  Either way, what started off as a simple and fun paint fight turned into a sort-of joke fight between Taylah and Ashley which then turned rather grizzly when Taylah felt adding local bush-land to her attack was needed as well.  (After pushing Ashley to the ground after a good choking, Taylah is seen ripping branches off near-by bushes and whacking her with them).  Just how severe was the attack?  None of the other contestants felt the need to step in neither do any other crew on site at the time though someone off-camera can be heard saying ‘That’s enough’.  Clearly though, after the attack, Ashley was visibly shaken.

That saying “It’s all fun and games until someone get’s hurt” was pretty true.  Taylah was hurt because her Supre’ T-shirt was damaged in said paint fight and Ashley was hurt because Taylah strangled her for ruining said Supre’ T-Shirt.

Despite producing standout photos and proving to be a judge favorite, Taylah found herself hearing the words “We had no other choice but to disqualify you from the competition” resulting in a social media firestorm between those who were happy and understood the decision and those who felt that while Taylah did step over the line, disqualification was not the answer.  A Current Affair even got in on the action, producing a news story for Monday nights episode labeling Taylah as a bully.

To my knowledge, this is the first time in Aussie Top Model history, a contestant has been kicked off the show.  I’m pretty sure it almost happens once every season in the US version.  

Both Taylah and Ashley will appear in Friday’s issue of Who Magazine for a photo-shoot and interview on the events.

Australia’s Next Top Model airs Tuesday nights on FOX8.

ausANTM, Local TV, Reality Television

New Season: Australia’s Next Top Model

                                          New Host Jennifer Hawkins

There’s new judges, new contestants and a new host in an all new season of Australia’s Next Top Model airing tonight on FOX8 at 7:30pm.

New host Jennifer Hawkins, who next year, celebrates 10 years since wining the Miss Universe title, has taken over the role left vacant by previous host, Sarah Murdoch.

Joining Hawkins on the judging panel are the regular (and possibly freshened) faces of Charlotte Dawson and designer Alex Perry along with new judge, model Didier Cohen.  Says Cohen “winning has more to do with street smarts than looks” and states that contestants who treat the industry like a business, network and treat others with respect will go far.

Tonight’s first episode will see the top 50 head into a ‘convict boot camp’ before two mass eliminations take place, quickly dwindling down the numbers of wannabe models.  We’ll also see a make-up free head-shot photo shoot take place *cue tears*.

Australia’s Next Top Model premiere’s tonight on FOX8 at 7:30pm

Make sure you follow me of twitter for my live tweets during the show!

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