http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/18/AMERICAS-NEXT-TOP-MODEL.aspx We are now deep into this season of AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL, and a couple of things are becoming clear. The girls are all trying to play strategically. It’s the ninth season, and with between one and two seasons a year, that means some of these girls were fourteen and younger when they started watching ANTM. They’ve studied and they know that practicing and committing are part of the homework. They know they have to smile at the judges, and that Tyra is their god. Yet unlike seasons past, there is no obvious front-runner. No girl that wants it the most.  No girl that is most likely making it to the finals. There are beautiful girls and there are smart girls but there aren’t a ton of standouts. The result is a weird flatness to the episode tonight. And is it me, or are a few of the girls just not that bright? Ebony, Ebony, Ebony. She has absolutely no depth whatsoever, and she is hopelessly self-conscious. I once worked with a woman who was obsessed with her hairline; every week she would have it waxed and plucked. I had never even thought about my hairline until I met her. Ebony is the sort who would wax her hairline. Stupid and self conscious makes for painful T.V. Tonight she pulls off a beautiful picture, but Tyra calls her on the fact that she hates to smile. Ebony’s reasoning? Her gums are too big! Wha? en-US Critics Rant info@criticsrant.com Subtext Version 1.9.4.0 http://www.criticsrant.com/images/default_gravatar_bullhorn.png http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/18/AMERICAS-NEXT-TOP-MODEL.aspx 77 60