America's Next Top Model - TV-PG

A guilty pleasure in model form -- teens OK.

TV Rating: TV-PG Network: CW, VH1 Cast: Tyra Banks Genre: Reality TV
Available on: DVDDownload

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that despite talk of modeling "talent," this is a show in which women are judged ultimately on their appearance. Contestants are often shown making disparaging comments about one another. There has been a same-sex kiss between two contestants, and a girl has cheated on her boyfriend. One contestant talks about being a "fornicator." Product placement and tie-ins figure prominently; Cover Girl (a sponsor of the show) is referenced regularly by name. Although host Tyra Banks does stress that the most beautiful contestant won't necessarily win, the women are still judged on their looks and how they can take a photograph.

Families can talk about how important beauty is to a person's success. What messages does the show send about body image? Do shows like this make girls feel bad about themselves? Parents might also want to discuss the role of makeup, lighting, airbrushing, etc. in creating the images that teens see in magazines.

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Caroline Gates-Shannon

AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL sends 13 women from around the United States down the runway in the hopes of being crowned America's Next Top Model and winning a $100,000 contract with Cover Girl Cosmetics, a contract with Ford Models, and a fashion spread in Elle magazine.

Each week, another model hopeful is eliminated in a competition. Judges Tyra Banks, Twiggy, J. Alexander, Nigel Barker, and Jay Manuel rate the contestants on runway ability and appearance in photographs. Between being photographed and walking the runway, the contestants make friends and enemies with one another, adding to the show's drama.

While America's Next Top Model promotes some less-than-positive images of women (cattiness, value based on physical appearance), the competition aspect of the show is entertaining, and viewers are likely to find some of the characters interesting and engaging.

The competition features contestants from a variety of ethnic groups and socio-economic backgrounds. Several of the contestants talk about coming from difficult backgrounds and see modeling as a way to overcome their circumstances. This nod to diversity is definitely a step forward and has the potential of creating talking points for parents and teens -- highlighting the very different and unique faces of beauty.

While viewers are likely to be entertained by America's Next Top Model, parents can expect some offensive language during fights, as well as some problematic messages about women and their bodies. But for mature teens, it's a peek into the fashion world and an absolute guilty pleasure.

Families who enjoy the competition aspect of the show might also like Project Runway, another fashion-related reality competition series.

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content Revealing outfits for photo shoots. One contestant talks about being a "fornicator," a same-sex kiss occurs, a contestant cheats on her boyfriend.
Violence
Language "Ass," "damn," "hell," etc. Stronger swearing is bleeped.
Message
	Social Behavior Tyra visits the contestants each episode and tries to teach them appreciation for modeling. Contestants can be aggressive or catty toward one another, and judges have made derogatory comments about contestants' bodies (posture, butt, height, etc.). One contestant was given surgery to fix her crooked tooth. The show has featured plus-size models and women from diverse ethnicities, socio-economic backgrounds, and sexual orientations.
	Commercialism Cosmetics brand Cover Girl, a sponsor of the show, is referenced by name at several points. The winner receives a contract with Cover Girl, and occasionally products/photographers/fashion lines are promoted in photo shoots.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Characters drink in moderation. It was suggested that one contestant had a drinking problem. Some smoking.