With so much competition on the airwaves, viewers are making one thing clear: they’re not going to miss their CW shows.  For the second straight week, CW dramas dominated the new ratings system which charts what folks record and watch within seven days.  All seven of the network’s first-run programs from Monday thru Thursday rank within the top 17 broadcast series, with 90210 (#1) gaining up to 42% additional viewers on top of those who see it live.  Privileged, Gossip Girl, America’s Next Top Model, One Tree Hill, Smallville and Supernatural followed, with audience gains ranging between 22.6% and 30% during this fall’s unofficial TV premiere week.  The findings are even more impressive among The CW’s core demographic, women 18-34, with 90210 drawing nearly 60% and Top Model nearly 50% more time-shifted viewers, according to numbers released Friday by MediaWeek.  And, as one reader pointed out, fans who record the programs often watch them more than once.

Makeover Day is arguably the most-popular episode for fans and contestants during each cycle of America’s Next Top Model.  So, Tyra’s popular cohorts, “Mr.” Jay Manuel and campy runway diva “Miss” J. Alexander, are creating a spinoff series entitled Operation Fabulous—on which they’ll offer weekly style overhauls to a handful of women in various outposts. The glam gurus plan to coach young ladies on how to dress, wear their hair and makeup, and bring out their hidden confidence.  A casting notice posted online runs through Oct. 29, seeking females between the ages of 19-32 who are outgoing, full of personality…but who are in desperate need of a style makeover.  Great personal stories, such as triumphing over adversity or having been blessed beyond comparison, are always welcome.  You can nominate yourself or a deserving loved one by emailing thecastingproducer@gmail.com.  Send the aspiring contestant’s name, age, height, weight, contact info and recent photos (full body and close-up).  Good luck!

Tyra Banks’ introduction of panel judge Nigel Barker has become somewhat of a running punchline:  “Noted fashion photographer.”  Truth is, there’s much more substance to the stylish Brit, who joined America’s Next Top Model way back in Cycle 2.  Nigel is, indeed, one of the industry’s premier sharpshooters, but it’s not commonly known that he began his career on the runway himself, modeling clothes for such designers as Giorgio Armani and Valentino.  Or that he is a major advocate for the humane treatment of animals.  He recently lobbied members of Congress to press for a Canadian ban on commercial seal hunting.  Harp seals are born with a white coat that lures illegal hunters to cruelly poach the playful youngsters.  Nigel opened a moving exhibit this summer in NY, featuring dramatic life-and-death seal photos he captured on a trek to frigid northern Canada.  The 36-year-old has also been active in the preservation of sharks, whose population has been decimated by over 70 percent, he says.  This Wednesday, Top Model puts Nigel and his ‘noted’ fotog skills to good use, capturing the contestants as they pose with their eyes in the water.

The CW has released the first photos of the final contestants we’ll see on Cycle 11 of America’s Next Top Model, which bows with a two-hour season premiere on Wed., Sep. 3.  Can you spot an early favorite to win…or a sure-bet to stir up some drama in the house?  There’s a bit of international flair in this edition, with two girls hailing from overseas.  Below is a brief rundown of the models, beginning left to right on each row:

Tyra Banks, legendary supermodel and host of America’s Next Top Model

Analeigh, 19, a student from Sacramento, CA

Brittany, 19, a customer service rep from Henderson, NV

Clark, 19, a student from Pawleys Island, SC

Elina, 19, from Berdichieve, Ukraine

Hannah, 19, a student from Fairbanks, AL

Isis, 22, a program assistant at a non-profit organization, is from Prince George’s County, MD

Joslyn, 23, a student from Lucky, LA

Lauren Brie, 20, a student from Charlottesville, VA

Marjorie, 19, a student from Marseilles, France

McKey, 19, a student from Lake Forest, IL

Nikeysha, 19, a student from the Bronx, NYC

Samantha, 19, a student-athlete from Woodland Hills, CA

ShaRaun, 18, a student from Chicago, IL

Sheena, 21, a go-go dancer from Honolulu, HI

Three of the top five programs recorded and watched within the same week are on The CW, according to a first-quarter report in Television Week.  Beauty and The Geek ranked first, “time-shifted” by 27.9% of its audience, followed by America’s Next Top Model (25.4%) and One Tree Hill (23.1%).  Some theorize that fans of these shows don’t want to miss a single episode, even when there’s a competing favorite airing on another channel.  I’ve experienced occasional overload on Thursdays, but that’s about it.  I’d much rather watch my CW shows live.  Earlier this week, execs at the annual TV critics press tour noted that Gossip Girl is one of the most-talked about series on the network, yet not all of its viewers are on their couches at 8pm on Mondays.  Some opt to later buy a download for their computer or cellphone.  On a regular basis, that would seem odd to me, since you really can’t follow the action on a teensy 2-inch telephone, and it’s uncomfortable to sit at a desk and stare at a monitor.  Why’d we invest in the 60-inch giant screen TVs with stereo-sound?  Because nothing beats kickin’ back in a recliner and watching free TV…on the TV.

It’s not uncommon for America’s Next Top Model viewers to choose a favorite contestant.  But it is rare for so many fans to have a rooting interest in one particular girl—in this case, Heather Kuzmich.  She’s the lanky brunette we first met last fall, a 22-year-old diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder seven years ago.  A mild form of autism, Asperger’s has limited Heather’s social interaction and speech skills, yet she takes breathtaking photos.  Despite not winning Cycle 9, “Heather could easily be working full time (as a model),” says stylistic fotog Jeremy Bustos, who recently shot her dazzling layout for a July wedding magazine.  “We had come up with a very unique concept for bridal and were a little nervous if we could find a model that could pull it off.  Obviously Heather was a good choice; to be honest it’s impossible to take a bad photo of her.”  MTV showed up the same day to do a story about Heather.  “There are lots of people that want to work with her,” Bustos told the New York Post.  If you missed her the first time around, be sure to catch Heather and her Cycle 9 opponents throughout the next few weeks on WBNX.  And speaking of Top Model, comedienne Danielle Gaither has put together a series of seven short parody videos entitled “Cleveland’s Next Top Model.” They include laugh-out-loud material that Northeast Ohio folks, in particular, will get a big kick from (some discretion advised).

There’s an important election this fall, but for America’s youth their pop-culture vote’s already in progress.  The CW dominated the annual Teen Choice Award nominations, with nearly half of the network’s 27 nods snared by Gossip Girl.  One Tree Hill and Smallville followed with four apiece, while America’s Next Top Model (3), Beauty & the Geek and Pussycat Dolls: Girlicious each scored a slot among the TV categories.  Freshman drama Gossip Girl will compete for Best Drama, Drama Actors and Actresses, Breakout Show, Breakout Stars and Choice Villain.  This is the 10th Anniversary of the Teen Choice Awards and, interestingly, WBNX stars and series swept to victory from the very start—with shows like Dawson’s Creek, Felicity, Buffy and Friends and winning big in ’99.  This year’s ceremony will be held Aug. 4, and teens aged 13-19 can vote daily for their favorites.  Yes, it’s a huge popularity contest…but like they say on the Upper East Side, you’re no one until everyone’s talking about you—or voting for you.  Click here to cast your ballot!

Much ado was made over Whitney staking her claim as the first “plus-size” girl to be crowned America’s Next Top Model.  She fended off final challengers Anya and Fatima, who recently shared their thoughts with Starry Constellation magazine.  “I feel like she doesn’t look like a plus-sized model,” says Fatima, never one to mince words. “There are women who are actually full-figured and they see her and say, ‘Wow, if she’s a plus-size model, then what am I?”  Whitney counters, “To the average woman, I’m not ‘plus,’ but in the modeling industry I’m far bigger.  If you look at a regular model, they’re size two.  I’m a size 10…five times bigger.”  She has a message for young girls obsessed with looking thin.  “I’m here to fight the eating disorder battle that millions of people are having, and I’m standing up and saying ‘that’s not okay.’  Frankly, I can’t fail.  I will not fail.”  Runner-up Anya was pleased for her close friend, because “she has a lot to say and a lot to show.  (Whitney represents) a different side of the modeling industry that needs to be brought out further.”  As for their future plans, Anya is moving from Hawaii to the mainland, and will pursue modeling under the name Anya Rozova, a play on her Russian birth name.  Fatima just finished college and is also looking for agency work in NYC.  As the only plus-size model that Elite represents, Whitney is already being booked for editorial and high-fashion assignments.  She’s received many emails from young people saying she inspired them to seek help for an eating disorder.  “I think that’s really the best reward,” the model concludes.

Who doesn’t like a good scare?  That’s part of the fun The CW will serve up over the next three sunny months.  From director Sam Raimi, 13 is the first series “to take the horror movie into the reality world,” the network teases.  Contestants will face some frightening challenges in their quest for the $66,666 grand prize.  Casting calls were completed in mid-April, and filming was expected to take three weeks on the eight-episode thriller.  Look for a premiere date announcement in the near future.  Meanwhile, out on the prairie, the seven remaining city girls are stakin’ their claim to Matt on Farmer Wants a Wife.  He’s got five weeks to decide which of these feisty beauties (including Chagrin Falls’ Ashley) are suited for his green acres.  And, of course, Friday Night SmackDown is all new, all summer long on WBNX.  Did you miss an episode of your favorite series?  Most of our dramas and Sunday night comedies are hitting ‘reset,’ so you can catch up from the start of the season.  “The Summer of Geek” also kicks off Tuesday, with a replay of the series’ popular twist featuring hunky ‘beauty’ Sam and ‘geeky’ Nicole—plus the hilarious Jasmine!  Starting Wednesday, America’s Next Top Model relives tumultuous Cycle 9, as Ebony, Bianca, Heather & Co. mix it up again.  Those summer nights just got a little hotter.

For savvy TV fans this is the biggest week of the entire season.  Not only do we learn what shows have made the Fall 2008 schedule, but we’ll also GASP! again and again at the season finale shockers.  Beginning tomorrow, The CW will roll out ten series eye-poppers over the next eight nights.  Turn off the cell-phones, unplug the computer and don’t answer the door.  This is gonna be good.  Beauty & The Geek offers an unexpected romantic battle—presumably over Tommy, whose “geekiness” escapes us—before awarding the big payoff.  Wednesday, will Tyra choose Top Model’s first-ever “plus size” winner?  After seven years, Michael Rosenbaum bids farewell to Smallville, but only after Lex finally learns Clark’s secret in a huge showdown at the Fortress!  And Dean Winchester?  Yikes! Guess who’s come to collect on his Supernatural soul-deal?  The Sunday comedies leave on a high note, with Everybody Hates Chris and The Game poised to return next season.  On Gossip Girl, will Lily go thru with her grand wedding—or run to Rufus?  And what are the “bigger” secrets Michelle Trachtenberg (Georgina) promises are yet to come?  One Tree Hill, as usual, tosses every character into the drama blender, with one person’s survival, well…suspect, at best.  But next week’s Reaper finale may contain the most chilling revelation of all.  Yeah, this sprint-to-the-finish makes the TV marathon worthwhile.  Feel free to vent nightly, as needed…