Britain's Next Top Model

Poor old Britain's Next Top Model aka BNTM has always been the very poor relation to the glittery, America's Next Top Model aka ANTM. Despite a decent promotional push this show has always struggled to nab decent ratings as well as respectability. It is a real shame because the models in the show actually look like they could have a career as a proper model unlike their counterparts in the US who look like your average Joanna or at best a catalogue model. BNTM is now five years old (I know I can't believe it either) and to commemorate this occasion, Living has stepped up a gear by launching a huge marketing campaign that kicked off six weeks ago. Enter a brand new concept for the show that is based on a 'New Model Army' which is basically a take on the 40s style wartime with presenter, Lisa Snowdon as the commander of the troop.

We have been bombarded with TV ads on Channel4, E4, ITV2 and MTV and BNTM has been dominant in websites such as Heatworld and glamourmagazine.co.uk. The all new BNTM concept has been produced on over 3000 posters which have appeared in shopping centres such as Bluewater, Lakeside, Birmingham's Bullring and Trafford Centre, and Westfield shopping centre. As a marketer I will put my hands up and say, a job well done - Holler, the creative team behind the campaignn should pat themselves on the back for doing a 180 on what was a tired show and representing it into a sexy and glamorous product. The effect has been amazing with fantastic imagery that emphasises the 'cool' in Britannia. With Lisa Snowdon going up the list in the celebdom after her stint in Strictly Come Dancing I am sure the show will gain more viewers so lets hope that the content is up to par. With the talent we have in this country and our reputation in fashion, this show should really be up there with ANTM.

The Janice Dickinson Modelling Agency

One of the joys and consolation from reaching the end of summer is the start of the new season. For me this means the return of the slick Gossip Girl, the hilarious Ugly Betty that came to an abrupt end following the writer's strike and a second series of Lipstick Jungle. Add that to the debut of 90210 which is a sequel to the popular Beverly Hills 90210 and you would be safe to say that we have a cracking season to look forward to. However a new series that has really got me gripped is the hilarious, The Janice Dickinson Modelling Agency (JDMA). Ms Dickinson touts herself as the world's first famous supermodel but is famous for her stints in America's Next Top Model. She is also infamous for her barbed wire comments and one liners. Janice, who is now on her fourth series of the show does not hold back and shoots from the hip. As I have mentioned many times before, I am not a fan of modelling shows but this programme has had me transfixed. Janice has had many shows up her sleeve such as the luck lustre, Janice & Abbey where she tried to turn model and WAG, Abby Clancy into a premier model. This show did not exactly set the world on fire and was cancelled after the first series. It does seem that Janice has hit the jackpot with JDMA as it has all the ingredients of a very entertaining show. To go with this new show, Janice also has a fantastic new website called Love Janice that contains information about the show as well as her sharp edged observations on modelling and life.

Reality Bites

It is almost June and as far as I am concerned almost officially summer time. That means lots of sporting activities like Wimbledon, The Olympics and Euro 2008 as well as another ordeal of Big Brother. Since it launched nine years ago, Big Brother has become an important part of our lives and the sometime controversial show changed the course of TV. Gone are the days when TV bosses aired lengthy shows and period dramas and instead they have been replaced by the reality genre. According to those guys at Wikipedia "Reality television is a genre of television programming which presents purportedly unscripted dramatic, unscripted situations, documents actual events, and features ordinary people instead of professional actors." We are talking about programmes like America's Next Top Model, I'm a Celebrity: Get Me Out of Here!, Project Catwalk and The Apprentice which are competitive based. Also 'so called' talent shows like X Factor and the show that is currently tormenting the country; Britain's Got Talent. I say so called because we all know that they are shown so people have someone to laugh at. Then there are the fly on the wall shows where celebrities make the decision of taking us into their world. For some famous bods this calculating move can pay dividends; The Osbournes and Jessica Simpson for a start, but for others it can be the kiss of death. It is not just celebs who make amusing viewings thought, non entities such as Nicole Ritchie, Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian and The Hills posse are now household names. Although the contrived dialogue and convenient plots in The Hills have led some to wonder just how 'real' The Hills. Still real or not real, The Hills is now the number one show in the US and top show on MTV Europe.

This popularity has prompted other celebrities to sign up for a slice of the pie. Hence uber stylist to the stars, Rachel Zoe, who has a show coming out later this year. However more pending are the shows by former Bond girl, Denise Richards who is keen to prove to the public what a nice person she really is despite a nasty divorce from Charlie Sheen and a fling with Richie Sambora; Bon Jovi's guitarist and hubby to Heather Locklear who was also a close friend to Richards. Denise Richards: It's Complicated airs on E! (Entertainment Television) later this month. Joining her is Living Lohan which shows Dina Lohan - Mum to troubled actress, Lindsay Lohan. We see her juggling her role as parent and manager to younger sibling, Ali Lohan who attempts to follow in her older sister's foot step. All I can say is that I hope that young Ali does not go down the road that Lindsay has by drinking and clubbing in excess. Reading between the lines I think we can be assured that this documentary is all about Dina. TV critic, Mary McNamara sums it all up in her review in the LA Times.

Make Me a Supermodel

I am not really a fan of modelling shows, I am so not into America's Next Top Model and I find watching a bunch of bean poles waiting around to be photographed or moaning very tedious. However, like most women alive and breathing, I could not resist the opportunity to drool over Mr Beckford. Make Me a Supermodel, or whatever it is called is a reality show that is based on the UK counterpart which was presented by Aussie model, Rachel Hunter. The US version is anchored by Tyson Beckford and Nikki Taylor and sees 14 male and female models compete for $100,000 and a modelling contract with New York Model Management. Make Me a Supermodel will run for twelve weeks and viewers will decide which model they want to save and go on to fight for the title.

Now that's the boring bits out of the way, lets talk about Tyson and how FINE he looked in - erm - every scene. There is no doubt that he is the magnet for this show and the dude plays his part well. Mr Beckford simly oozes charisma and demonstrates lots of game as well as heart. During the photo shoots we see him shouting out words of encouragement to the models and even holding their coats for them as they prepare to get their picture taken. What a guy! In the mornings the models are even treated to a wake up call from him. Now who would not want to wake up to that face? My verdict on Make Me a Supermodel is that it is not the greatest show on earth but damm - that Tyson makes up for it.