America's Next Top Model [View All]

[Orrex]

I'm not a fan of this show or of reality tv in general, but while flipping around the dial yesterday I happened upon a segment that resonated with a recent thread here.

If I understand the show, a flock of women is culled weekly until we're left with the Next Top Model, and en route the contestants subject themselves to various contests, evaluations, and trials. Last night's episode featured a themed photoshoot, with each woman's pictures forming a big part of her evaluation.

The theme was "violent deaths" or something similar, with each model made up and posing to appear a victim of some violent end. One woman was poisoned, one electrocuted, one thrown down the stairs, one strangled, one shot in the head, one stabbed in the chest, and another fallen from a roof. Each model was, naturally, made up in full glamour mode and dressed to the proverbial nines, creating a stark visual contrast with the gory makeup of her injuries. As an added kink, each model told a very brief (like one sentence) story of how one of the other models had "killed" her.

So what do you think? Is this in line with the recent Spanish shoe ads? Is it harmless fun in the name of sensationalism? Is it just another example of shock-value for ratings?