Wait, wasn't she eliminated last episode?

"It's kinda like I'm breaking up with Top Model. But I got broken up with." Well, that's what happens when you base your relationships on sex!

I was just kidding last week. I'll never be too old for this shit.

73. Melrose

Melrose doesn't like dancing to be so serious. Also, dancing is, like, her soul. It's her passion.

And so, we can deduce that Melrose either doesn't like to take her soul seriously, or she's just an asshole. Or maybe it's a causal relationship. But really, my philosophy is to err on the side of asshole.

74. Melrose

Dear Bottle,

I know you're, like, three feet away from me, but I can't bring myself to say to you all that I need to say. Which is, basically: you smell better than me, even though you used to be home to mayonnaise. Or pears, as your label indicates. But I'm pretty sure it was mayonnaise. Point being: why can't I smell more like you? Why?!

Anyway, I have to go pull my hair back because I'm not looking that much like Shirley Phelps-Roper today and that just feels so wrong.

Tyra loves you,
Melrose

P.S. Did you hear that Amanda's banging the show? I don't know how that works, and I probably will never find out, as no one tells me anything. But it's all good: I don't need the dissas.

P.P.S. Please write back? If not you then whom?

75. CariDee

You know it really is such shit that she's in the Bottom 2 every week. Who does this show think it's fooling? Also: pay attention to the position of that tear, because...

76. Amanda

Amanda has a corresponding one in her post-elimination cry. Once a twin, always a twin.

And once a fool, once, twice, three times a fool:

Tyraism of the Week No. 1

This is actually two separate occasions and occurences combining to make one Tyraism. Here is the first and here. Obviously, this is to convey just how wonderful a communicator Tyra is, whether when directing a photo shoot or telling some girl what's wrong with her existence. Even better, though, is that combined they make great vocals for a Euro house track (when in Spain...). A track that might go a little something like this. The video would probably just be this:

Very arty, no?

Tyraism of the Week 2

It's not a phrase or even a sound this time, just a look:

Apparently, Tyra thinks that if you convulse violently enough while doing a sort of free-form Hokey Pokey, it's the same as flamenco dancing. This is the self-satisfied look she shot the girl when she was done having her seizure. Lest we forget that this is her world, we're just mocking (slash Mok-ing, obviously) in it.

Tyraism of the Week 3

OK, here's some good, old fashioned, twisty and Coily-inspired logic, since the last time we experienced that was, oh, a second ago.

Please do your best to keep up.

Sentiment No. 1 - "I was impressed with CariDee because CariDee, she kinda didn't stop floating. Even though I know you were having a really hard time and shivering, I never saw one frame where you looked cold. Not. One. Frame."

That would seem like praise.

Sentiment No. 2 - "That was very impressive, but at the same time, as a model, you have to know your limits and you have to know that if you're getting sick and your body is feeling a certain way, that you have to step away from the situation."

That would seem like a scolding, on top of a message that this show has never once condoned -- aren't you expected to drag your ass from a hospital bed for the competition? If, in fact, you do choose to honor your limits, as the admittedly psychotic Monique did, you get booted off. Simple.

Sentiment No. 3 - "You know you have a weakness with cold. You have to figure out how that doesn't cost the client with money."

So now, even if you know your limitations, you're fucked. Great. You know, I think maybe her logic is less like Coily and more like a python because now my brain is leaking out of my ears. Yet more proof that this show makes you stupider.

Or maybe it's proof that the show's getting stupider. I submit to you a theory as the first item of minutiae.

1. Somewhere, in something I read about the formerly picketing, now just-plain-out-of-work ANTM writer Daniel J. Blau (it could be this awesome interview with him), he revealed that he and his writing-editing team had worked on all but the last three (or so) episodes of this cycle. Which means that we're in the thick of the writer-free episodes. I'm guessing this is why this week's episode seemed to scattered and, frankly, bizarre in parts. Like, did you notice all the odd angles chosen for the girls' dances?

You could barely get a grasp on what the girls were doing, let alone if they were doing it well. Also, I think Naomi from Mama's Family is in one of those boxes. Those ruffles!

Or how about the fact that someone, somewhere thought that for all the hours of footage that they had, Amanda's foot weirdness was worth spotlighting:

Foot weirdness? This show is crazy!

The kicker for me (and probably a double-jointed one, at that) was this obviously slopped together exposition on why Melrose was no longer getting along with CariDee (which is obviously a bizarre situation in the first place since just last episode, Melrose chose CariDee to share her prize with but whatever).

We start with Melrose being Melrose, which is to say: isolated and shunned.

Cut to Melrose off to the left of the confessional/OTF (I never know what to all these segments) screen, explaining that CariDee is the girl who is getting on her nerves most.

Cut to a close-up shot during the voice over that makes me wish I had dubbed Melrose "Molerose."

Cut to Melrose on the right side of the screen, with slightly different hair and now a necklace on, practically enthusing about CariDee having no problem with vulgarity. Here, we're supposed to believe that this is the reason that CariDee is getting on her nerves!

Cut to sepia-toned flashback that does not make this manipulation any more convincing.

Cut to Melrose saying something, probably not even CariDee, is gross.

Cut to sepia-toned Duh and Duh-er.

Cut to Melrose alone again, naturally.

I know that reality shows do stuff like this all the time, and I know that ANTM is a great example of a show that could barely exist without such manipulation. But I don't know, this particular case seemed so pronounced to me that I think it has to be an example of what life without writers means for ANTM -- the difference is in the finesse. Which is to say: don't expect much of that from here on out.

It kills me to say this, but for this reason, I think that the firing of the writers may actually help the show. I know, it's so un-PC and gross of me, but I can't help but wonder if ANTM was getting too slick for its own good. The first two cycles had this air of incompetence that served it so well -- they had a slipshod feel that amounted to structural ridiculousness to match the content's ridiculousness. I don't mean to bite the hands that fed me garbage from (roughly) Cycles 3 through this one, but I think that added incompetence might work for the show's favor if, for no other reason, it will provide more to ridicule (let's never forget that we're watching a televised modeling competition). It's sort of like the way terrible dubbing makes a bad movie worse. And by "worse," I mean "better." You know?

It's only a theory that the writers were perhaps too good at their jobs. My heart certainly goes out to them -- I'm sure it sucks losing a gig like this. And really, it's too early to say how their absence will affect the show. When I heard about it, I became very pessimistic about the show's future. However, after seeing this episode's delirious editing, I'm an optimistic ingrate.

2. Oh, and as an addendum to the CariDee vs. Melrose argument, I loved this:

Meanwhile she says this while practically on top of Eugena.

Who's closest?

See, a lack of awareness can be really amusing!

3. Ever noticed how friendly CariDee is? And by "friendly," I mean "friendly in the vagina."

Let me count the ways that CariDee came off as slutty during this episode:

"Come cuddle if you ever get lonely," she told Amanda. She should have added, "We'll roll around in some amniotic fluid, fetus-style. It'll be hot."

And then she had this whole, extended touchy-feely thing with Eugena.

Pit play? This show is practically fetish porn.

Probably so they can have sex in peace!

Here, I'll complete her thought:

Let's not forget the ass slap.

Or how aggressive she was about choosing a dance partner.

It was hard to capture because it was almost out of frame, but as soon as they were allowed to choose she looked at her guy and went, "You."

...which resulted in this cycle's biggest Imagine That!:

It's as if Jade herself made a special appearance. (God, how amazing would that be?)

4. Meanwhile, Amanda chose a 10-year-old boy to be her flamenco partner.

She was all, "Well, we have the same body..." I don't think he was even old enough yet to get a boner from having a girl take interest.

I tried to Photoshop a milkshake with two straws between them, but it didn't work out. You get the idea, though.

5. If Miss J turned out to be my special dinner guest, I'd ask to have it sent back.

Did he tell them anything they hadn't already heard better articulated by Tyra? And isn't your English in a sad state when Tyra's mastery of it is more pronounced?

I did like that he toasted to "America's Next Top Model-ette." That's pretty much what the winner ends up becoming. Smaller than a model, bigger than a breadbox.

Also, I liked that the twins, "two of the goofiest Gumby girls." Uh...my thoughts exactly!

Miss J: he's all right!

6. Remember how last week, Eugena said Mr. Jay didn't look like a matador -- he looked like Mr. Jay in a matador costume? Well, Lieutenant Colonel Obvious is back for a new round of observation!

"Amanda looks like Amanda trying to dance." I mean, can you believe the attention to detail? I wish they'd put together a clips reel of more of Eugena's insight. I'd love to hear her on Twiggy ("Twiggy looks like a blonde woman") or Nigel ("Nigel talks like a British guy") or Tyra ("Tyra Banks looks like Tyra Banks plus 50 lbs.").

On her own behavior during the (not at all contrived, cold-water-in-the-summer) photo shoot, Eugena said, "...my jaws were chattering." Really, both of her jaws were.

So literal, that one!

On being partnered with Melrose, Eugena says: "I don't know if I'm happy or not." No lie: this was her expression while saying "happy":

Following her own example in observation, I'll state that Eugena looks like Eugena with a stank look on her face. That's to say that Eugena looks like Eugena.

7. While practicing her dance, CariDee said she kept throwing hip-hop in. Here's what she meant:

Flava is just coming out of her ears. The only thing that could make her look more hip-hop would be a giant clock around her neck.

That is how you get down in '06.

Hey, wouldn't it be awesome if after the elimination tears, every ANTM episode ended with the remaining contestants shrieking, "Car-iiiiiiiii-Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee"? More realistically, it'd be, "Tyraaaaa Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaanks." Now watch, I bet she steals that idea for the next cycle -- she has to top the self-obsessiveness of having the girls live in a Tyrahouse somehow.

8.

Today is Tyra's birthday. For her present, I'm fixing this photo by filling in her patchy stubble.

Happy b-day, Ty Ty. What would you do without me?

9. I think when Melrose was called first, CariDee mouthed "fucking bitch":

Such a lady. This is why I want her to win. And here are three more reasons:

I admire that CariDee is a beautiful woman who's able to look utterly busted. She's such a chameleon! Guess that's what happens when you learn from the best!

10. Actually, you know what? Scratch that. I want Melrose to win. For you see...

"If Melrose becomes America's Next Top Model, I'm going to puke. All over. I'll just puke." God, I hope she's telling the truth. We may be headed for the best finale in ANTM history!

Comments

Tyra plus 50lbs, so funny. I can't help thinking vagina arms everytime I see her

[cindy]

team melrose! if you're going to root for a psycho, let it be the one who can actually model!

[Kit]

Didn't Melrose say that dancing was her passion and also that it wasn't right that they judge your passion. (Or words to that effect)

It was weird because modeling is supposed to be the obsession of every girl on the show. Their passion if you will. And the whole show is about judging that!

[Sarah]

They were showing a marathon of this season's ANTM on VH1 and they showed highlights of this Wednesday's episode and I swear I saw CariDee and Eugena walking down the catwalk. Please god let it be true and hopefully they don't go the way of Project Runway with 4 finalists and they were hiding Melrose from me!

CariDee forever and I love your Monday highlights!

[Passing Shot]

Ah -- what I nice way to end the day (okay, so it's only 3 in the afternoon; I've been up since 4:30). These make my Monday. Glad someone else picked up on Tyra's "work within your limits/toughen up, bitch!" schizophrenia. This show is inane, and your site is the only reason I keep tuning in.

I'm pretty sure Ms. J said "Dumpy", not Gumby, but gumby is good too.

[Jacquie]

I didn't know about the writer/editing team,but it explains so much. Thank God we have four four to add some much needed context! I am so glad you caught the "Fucking Bitch" - I caught it on tape and rewatched it to be sure. I almost emailed you because it felt so important, but of course you caught it!

I am surprised by the turnout - I thought final 3 would be Caridee and one or both of the twins. Let the best modellette win.

[Tashina]

So, on wikipedia it already has a winner listed. Could this be a spoiler or just someone jumping to conclusions? How reliable should I consider this info to be? I'm gonna be disappointed if it turns out to be right.

[Z-Dawg]

I know someone who knows someone who punched Melrose back in high school. Or maybe it was college. Not important. This was all when her name was still Melissa.

[Emilee]

matt said this: Oh and FYI, the CW will be showing highlights from Britain's Next Top Model in the weeks following the ANTM finale, so if you want to give us an xmas present you can recap that crazy shit!

Don't expect anything too good - BNTM is crap. Trust me, I'm British - had to go through two seasons of that crap for the whole summer. And then ANTM 6 saved me in September. Yeah, England is slow.

[HawkOwl]

Don't know about that. I think Caridee is ugly. I think they're all ugly, actually. As ugly as the twins were, they were the least ugly of the top five. Now that they're gone, I don't see any point in watching this show anymore.

[Cote]

I saw the preview for this week's episode, and only saw a click of CariDee and Eugena on the Runway!

I hope that means Smellrose is OUT!

[christy]

When Amanda gave that breakup line as her final sendoff, i was seriously hoping that the title of this recap would be a Futurama quote:

"Dear Baby,
Welcome to Dumpsville. Population: You."

ugh, sooo many weak links, lets just get down to Melrose vs. CariDee already!!!

[matt]

Emilee said this: Don't expect anything too good - BNTM is crap. Trust me, I'm British - had to go through two seasons of that crap for the whole summer. And then ANTM 6 saved me in September. Yeah, England is slow.

Aww, I've seen BNTM on youtube, and I loved the first cycle, all the cat fights, the chainsmoking, the drinking, Marissa and her permascowl, Jenilee and her saddening return to scrubbing fat vats at the bingo hall, and Lucy, the extremely awesome non chalant winner.

[Victoria]

OK is this Caridee? I remember in some other posts that someone said that a lot of agencies were sooo interested in her as soon as the show started. Maybe this means she didn't win but has a good contract with D and G? Look at it I really think it is her.
http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?cmCat=search&srcText=t0w6g&numResults=0&pageNum=0&cmCat=search&itemId=prod35330059&ecid=NMFCPOPSUGARTRNDC

[xnowhereboyx]

Excellent recap. You always notice value-added things that I miss (like CariDee talking about keeping your enemies close, while she's sitting right next to Eugena).

Victoria --- a) That link doesn't work 2) It's for Needless Markup, not Dolce & Gabbana Furthermore) I did a search on Dolce women's apparel on neimanmarcus.com and none of the models in those product photos look anything like CariDee

[Erica]

I was completely baffled by the "melrose vs. caridee" thing, it came out of nowhere. I'm glad someone else thought that was fishy as well.

This season has been so lackluster for me, I anticipate it less and less and have a harder and harder time remembering who was cut the previous week. I hope it does get crazy again. That's the only thing that will save it (for me) from Tyra's constant pontificating. That's really wearing me down... like, "construction outside your office window for months on end" wearing me down.

[Sarah]

Christy - it's a Simpsons quote - come on ;)!!!

[guerlane]

Rich I totally felt the same way. Tyra had me so confused by the end of the episode Two alleve, two advil, and two-tylenol pm to get some relief.

Okay, so we've all watched since cycle 1. Since when is it cool to complain? Tyra's gets downright ghetto if you do. "Aw that's modeling 'yall, shoot - doncha know I had to klump through Africa and model bikini's on an iceberg next to penguins - PENGUINS 'YALL - now that was real cold."

It is a pretty transparent plot but I was happy to get caught in the drama. Tyra's like a fairy tale villian to me now. She's like a step-mother, queen, fairy with a touch of ogress. How I love her.

CariDee will win - unless they pull out one of Flav's tricks and bring Joanie back for the last three.

Now that would be the bomb! Ty Ty should do that in the next cycle. And when I say that I mean she should bring in not a past final contestant but New York.

You don't need writers with New York in the house.

I love you.
I missed the show last week, and I realize now that I watch the show simply in anticipation of your recaps... that was great.
I especially like the Spanish dance remix of Tyra's eloquence.
I love you.

[diane]

You are seriously the bomb writer. I read someone else's commentary on the show and I almost fell asleep! It was so frkn BORING! I love your recaps very funnys stuff man.

[Queen Lena]

I think Melrose is a certifiable sociopath.

And if you saw the commercials for the finale, they show Eugena and Joanie (uh....sorry, CariDee) walking dodn the runway, so I'm sure that means they're the final 2. What a bunch of idiot editing. I love it.

[Queen Lena]

dur, I meant "editors" not "editing"

[Sophia]

I love your recaps!
They keep me going all week,
through all this crap.
As everyone else says, I look forward
to your recaps more than the show itself.

I also saw a preview, and it showed Eugena
and Caridee on the runway.

[Sophia]

Wait! Scratch that!

I believe that's the runway from the feminine-band challenge!

Melrose will be in it for sure now.
They did that to trick us.
Bleh.