Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model
Monday, streaming on Netflix
It’s hard to overestimate just how much of a cultural phenomenon America’s Next Top Model was.
The brainchild of supermodel Tyra Banks, it launched back in 2003, quickly becoming a reality TV mega hit, at its peak attracting a global audience of over 100 million people — absolutely enormous by anyone’s standards.
To give ANTM its dues, it started out with genuinely good intentions: Banks was determined to shine a spotlight on “everyday people” (albeit the genetically blessed ones), those often overlooked by the fashion industry.
People came to audition from all sorts of cultural backgrounds and ethnicities. The show initially claimed to champion size inclusivity, too.
But over 24 seasons (or “cycles” as they were known on the show), things went spectacularly off the rails, the series becoming steadily more problematic with every ratings climb.
Contestants were bullied, forced to undergo radical transformations (one contestant famously had her teeth pulled while sobbing uncontrollably; others were forced to shave their heads or dye their hair, coerced into getting what can only be described as heinous crimes against haircuts), and they were pushed into taking part in some truly outlandish photoshoots.
What started out as a groundbreaking piece of television has most certainly not aged well two decades on, and as this deep-dive doco reveals, it now has quite the toxic legacy.
Filmmakers Mor Loushy and Daniel Sivan have done something really interesting with this series, in that they’ve managed to secure the participation of all the show’s key players, including Banks, executive producer Ken Mok, and creative collaborators Jay Manuel, J. Alexander (aka Miss J) and Nigel Barker.
Former contestants and winners are also interviewed, including Whitney Thompson, Giselle Samson, Shannon Stewart and Shandi Sullivan, whose story is truly confronting to unpack all these years later.
This is fascinating and horrifying to watch — a must-see.
Neighbors
Saturday, streaming on HBO Max
Obsessively watch #neighboursfromhell reels on social media? You’re going to love this marvellously unhinged doco series, which details neighbour disputes from both sides of the argument.
As an official line explains, the show details “dramatic real-life residential conflicts from a wide range of larger-than-life characters across the United States” — and yes, it’s as insane as it sounds, in the best possible way. Don’t miss this one.
AFL State Of Origin
Saturday, from 4pm, 7Mate and 7Plus
State against State, mate against mate — AFL-style! This Saturday, in front of a sold-out Optus Stadium, Victoria will take on WA in the return of AFL Origin.
Back for the first time in 25 years, the game will feature some of the biggest players from both States, with Seven’s commentary line-up including the icon that is Brian Taylor, plus James Brayshaw and commentators Kane Cornes, Luke Hodge and Abbey Holmes overseeing play. So there for this.
The Night Agent
Thursday, streaming on Netflix
Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso) is back doing what he does best — taking down global baddies, one high-stakes chase at a time.
This third season sees the show going global, with action set to take place in Istanbul, Mexico City and Washington, DC, as everyone’s fave agent races to apprehend an ex-operative who’s gone rogue and stolen classified documents.
This gets off to a cracking start. One for fans.
Going Places
Friday, 7.30pm, SBS and NITV
Ernie Dingo’s back on Country, inviting audiences to explore various stunning spots across Australia with him “through local eyes” — it’s a delight.
This year he’s got Mark Coles Smith and Rae Johnston along for the ride, as well as WA’s own Brooke Blurton, who’s stepping up as a new co-host.
She’ll be heading north with Ernie to Karijini National Park, before popping over to the Dampier Archipelago then Far North Queensland. Adore this well-crafted show.
https://thewest.com.au/entertainment/tv/what-to-watch-reality-check-inside-americas-next-top-model-neighbors-afl-state-of-origin-the-night-agent-c-21576509
