‘America’s Next Top Model’ rises from the ashes on VH1
‘Model’ reborn:TV fans are a passionate bunch when their favorite shows are taken off the air. Many TV aficionados sign petitions and rally behind stars in the hopes of saving a beloved series, but rarely does a canceled show rise from the ashes to see the light of prime time once more.
Luckily for fashion fans, “America’s Next Top Model” (ANTM) gets another chance to shine when it premieres Monday, Dec. 12, on VH1, the latest stop in the show’s network-hopping history.The model-search series premiered in 2003 on UPN, which merged with The WB to create CW in 2006. Shortly after news of the show’s cancelation devastated fans last year, it was announced that VH1 had picked up “ANTM.”
There will be plenty of changes, however, beginning with the role of creator, producer and host Tyra Banks (“Coyote Ugly,” 2000).While she served as a host and judge for the first 22 seasons — or cycles as they’re known to “ANTM” fans — she won’t return as host or judge this season.
“After creating an incredible, global brand, I am beyond excited to have the show reborn. I will continue as executive producer, but I must turn my attention to new business endeavors,” she explained when the VH1 pickup was announced.
Banks is leaving hosting and judging duties in the capable hands of singer and actress Rita Ora (“Fifty Shades of Grey,” 2015). Ora is no stranger to competition series — she was a coach in the fourth series of “The Voice UK,” and later served as a judge in the U.K. edition of “The X Factor.”
Ora’s fellow judges are Ashley Graham, who is a supermodel and body activist; Paper Magazine’s Drew Elliott; and celebrity stylist Law Roach. “America’s Next Top Model” returns to New York in the season premiere airing Monday, Dec. 12, on VH1.
Deck the halls: While there are a few humbugs out there, millions of people love decorating for Christmas, but there are some who take holiday decorating to a whole new level, and they’re invading prime time with their bevy of Christmas lights.
Contestants from across America transform their homes with extravagant holiday decorations as they compete to win a $50,000 prize and the prestigious Light Fight trophy in a new episode of ABC’s “The Great Christmas Light Fight,” airing Monday, Dec. 12. Each one-hour episode follows four families locked into a lively but friendly battle that would make Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (1989) proud.
This fourth season of the popular holiday series features returning celebrity judges Taniya Nayak and Carter Oosterhouse. Known for designing hip New England restaurants and lounges, Nayak may be recognizable to viewers because of her work on such series as “Knock First” or “Freestyle.” Oosterhouse rose to fame as a carpenter in TLC’s “Trading Spaces,” and has gone on to host shows such as “Carter Can” and “Red Hot & Green.”
They’ll have their work cut out for them as they try to determine the winning houses. In past seasons, contestants have gone all-out with hundreds of thousands of lights, inflatables, searchlights, lasers, figurines and even snow machines. Many families set their presentations to music as well in their quest to win bragging rights.
Over the course of six weeks, the show will give away $300,000 in prize money just in time for Christmas. Don’t miss out on the fun when ABC airs back-to-back episodes of “The Great Christmas Light Fight” Monday, Dec. 12.
Beyond boot camp: Action heroes are a dime a dozen on television, in movies and even in video games. But in real life, few of us would have the physical, mental and emotional strength to undergo the kind of training military heroes undergo.
Executive producer Peter Berg (“Battleship,” 2012) assembles 30 men and women with no military background to see how far they can push themselves in the new unscripted series “The Selection: Special Operations Experiment,” airing Thursday, Dec. 15, on History. Inspired by the
U.K. series “SAS: Who Dares Wins,” which aired on Channel 4 last year, the new History series follows six U.S. military special operations veterans as they put the contestants through the paces to see who is willing to push themselves to the limits of the human body.
While the 30 civilian participants are average Janes and Joes, their mentors are some of the nation’s finest combat veterans. Veteran Navy SEALs Marcus Capone, Ray Care and Sean Haggerty are joined by Special Forces Green Berets Donnie Bowen and Bert Kuntz, along with veteran Army Ranger Tyler Grey. They subject participants between the ages of 21 to 45 to tear gas, interrogation simulation and psychological warfare, among other tests.
Unlike many reality TV shows, there is no prize or trophy at the end of the show. The participants may remove themselves from the program any time they wish, or they may choose to continue to see just how far they can push themselves.
The instructors lead the team on a grueling day of Navy SEAL training after just two hours of sleep in this week’s episode of “The Selection: Special Operations Experiment,” airing Thursday, Dec. 15, on History. In the Pacific Ocean, the participants learn about surf immersion, land portage and extreme exposure to the cold.