ANTM: Tyra Out?

(Getty Images) Reports are swirling that Tyra Banks is set to leave the judging table on America's Next Top Model. Seems she and Jay Manuel had the mother of all catfights, and Banks - who's recently, inexplicably found herself interviewing presidential candidates on her talk show - is above it all.

Isn't it her show? And couldnt' she fire Manuel if he was gettin' all up in her face? I suspect this is a way to drive up the show's declining ratings, and get old viewers back. Or Tyra has outgrown the CW-crowd, and is cutting ties with projects - and people - that might hold her back from becoming the next Oprah. The question is, if she leaves, and frankly, good riddance - who should replace her?

There's apparently some swelling support behind Cindy Crawford and Paulina Porzikova, but I don't think either girl really has the personality for the job. Linda Evangelista is a bit dated, but her famous "$10,000 a day" attitude gives her the bitchy edge the job needs.  Frankly, the only slam-dunk I can see is Carson Kressley: he's genuinely funny and can be bitchy when he wants...but then we find ourselves in the sticky situation of having three guys judging the lovely ladies. And it also begs the question: do we want ANTM to stay, how do we say, ghetto fabulous? And if so, is there anyone other than Naomi Campbell who could do the job?

I doubt any of those ladies would bother getting out of bed for this job though, so that leaves Tier 2 and 3 model-ebrities. Rachel Hunter seems like a bitch. Or what about ANTM alumni: Toccara or Adrian Curry?  I resent their stardom but they are Grade A camera whores.

OR maybe the answer is...all of the above! The show could adopt a Top Chef format, where Manuel is Padma, who basically just introduces the challenge to the contestants, and then there is a Guest Judge each week. 

Who would you like to see as ANTM's new judge? Send in your ideas and tell us why your choice is the right choice!

Comments

[Bobby]

I'd say, drop the show. It's way past its prime.

[Fero moon]

Let Katja Schuurman do the job. She's Holland's Top and most beloved woman.

AND, her english is excellent!

[Partylikarokstar]

I think that they should replace Tyra with RuPaul...Tyra is morphing into Ru's drag persona anyway!

[Gio]

Just scrap the show. Drop the whole f**ing thing already. All you have are women who don't stand a chance at having a successful modeling career anyway. What ever happened to models who look good "without the make-up and clothes"?

Can you really compare any of these contestants with true past top models out there like, Elle Mcpherson, Brooke Shields, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell? Hell, look at Billy Joel's wife, who's not even a model and you can't help but be mesmerized by her natural beauty. You can walk down the streets of NY and other parts of the world and find more appealing women, who based on their natural good looks can sell products. This show gives these women false hope. Unlike real "top models", how many of the past winners are gracing the covers of the top magazines week after week , month after month, year after year? The real question should be, "Why should the show survive?".

[Ryan]

Jay and Tyra are good enough to find their own new shows and so are the rest of the judges. I used to love ANTM, but, it's turning into the same thing over and over, a bunch of wierd looking teenage girls that can turn out a great picture who scream and giggle every time they turn the corner. It's getting VERY old, VERY fast and VERY rediculous. If they want to save the show, find some contestants who are capable of doing more than acting like idiots and can make more conversations than, "Like, I just love to shop and can out model that bitch any day." And STOP the damn screaming and giggling!

[April]

First of all, there is no way that ANTM will end. In case no one noticed, it is the top-rated show on the CW, has spawned dozens of replicas, and was the inspiration behind Make Me A Supermodel & America's Most Smartest Model- both renewed for their networks.
If anyone read the February issue of EW with Tyra on the cover, she explains her motivation for eventually phasing out of ANTM.
If you were a multi-millionaire with 2 TV shows and a zilion projects, would YOU take the time (and potentially lose the money) to stay on a years-old and time-consuming project? She isn't just a model, or a TV show creator & host, she is an entrepeneur and will not allow anything to slow her down. Tyra tells her "girls" on ANTM to live their dreams, to chase after it and never look back- so why wold she be a hypocrite and not follow her own advice?
Personally, I am not a HUGE fan of Paulina, and I do not think she is guest-judging in order to break into the hosting gig. Tyra recognizes that the girls need someone they can idolize, yes- but also that they genuinely FEEL something for. That they can RELATE to. She is their girlfriend, and when she leaves, she will have to find another "girlfriend" to fill that role. She owes that to the girls whom have grown-up over the past few years watching ANTM and hoping & dreaming.
As an original fan, I think that they absolutely SHOULD go "Top Chef Style"- have Jay Manuel essentially be the host & intro the photo shoot and have a MODEL guest judge intro the challenge- or Miss J. Judging should fall on the core of Nigel, Jay & Miss J. Who cares if they are male or female- Aside from demographics, I don't think it matters and us loyal viewers LOVE the trio). But there absolutely has to be a glamerous female model guest judge every week- OR- former ANTM winners or runner's up. Great exposure for everyone! I'd love to see Jaslene or Dani guest judging! (forget Adreienne, though- Tyra's not going to do that bi*** any more favors)!
If there WAS a fight between Jay & Tyra, maybe it was because she doesn't think he is suitable (a big enough name?) to be the actual host.
No matter what happens, I hope that Tyra and Jay both know that we love the show, it is it's own entity. Personally, I flippin LOVE Jay and hope that no matter what happens, he is successful. He is fantastic!
One more note-
How does this idea sound: America's Next Top Model All-Stars! It would be ALL of the runners up and a few of the more memorable top 3 or 4. WOULDN'T THAT BE FUN?????

[Kris and Jami]

Dude shut up

[Tony]

So this article is based on a rumour for whch there doesn't appear to be any validation? I think Tyra IS ANTM so losing her would be letting the show circle the drain.

There's an obvious way to spice this show up of course - do a couple of seasons with guys instead of giggling girls.

[tyradrian banks]

antm is one of the best reality show ever. but the mere fact that tyra is the backbone for it's success is enough reason for tyra NOT to be out of the show. she and manuel are great friends and hopefully they can work it out. antm MAYBE needs a break... a come back would be totally awesome. since it already had more than 10 (?) seasons people got bored but true fans like me: never. i love the show, and most of all I love tyra. people want antm to be out coz they cant admire it, they just watch it for their entertainment, I watch it coz I enjoy seeing tyra helping girls and making a statement that she is the only one who could do what she does best. nobody can live up to tyra's legacy. yes true ther are a lot of other sup'models that are also great. but personally speaking, tyra is totally one of the best. and there are only few.

nobody can replace tyra,

and even if they do, the show just wouldnt work the way tyra runs it.

p.s

hey jay manuel, stop being a bitch honey.