We’re only a couple weeks away from The CW’s expected fall pick-up of the Gossip Girl spinoff, as well as Melrose Place, originally a spinoff of Beverly Hills, 90210.  Packaged as a backdoor-pilot, the Valley Girls series, featuring Brittany Snow (pictured) as young Lily, will debut as an ’80s flashback during next Monday’s Gossip Girl.  The CW has three other shows with definite spinoff potential—which would interest you?

• TOP MODEL: TYRA MALE! After 13 cycles and hundreds of screaming runway wannabes, it might be a refreshing twist to see Tyra Banks deal with a crop of aspiring male models. She certainly has enough talented industry friends who could do the heavy lifting. It makes sense to expand her “brand” to include the other half of the world’s population, if only for a midseason tryout.
• WATCHTOWER: Key players are already part of the Smallville lore, with tech-genius Chloe recently declaring “Watchtower is officially on-line.” Who wouldn’t follow the saga of Justice League stars Green Arrow, Aquaman, The Flash, Black Canary and others, along with the occasional Superman fly-over? The list of DC Comics superheroes and villains yet to be explored is virtually unending.
• SUPERNATURAL: DESCENT Creator Eric Kripke has floated the idea of tracing underworld activity as far back as 1835, when Samuel Colt devised the enormous railroad devil’s trap in Wyoming to seal the hellmouth. A prequel series could tie in that primitive era, as well as the Winchester family’s earlier years. Guest-stars who’ve portrayed young John (Matt Cohen), Sam (Colin Ford) and Dean (Brock Kelly) were sensational and really need to be on weekly TV.

America’s Next Top Model last night offered a lesson in how the industry wields a discriminating axe when it comes to those draped in designer labels.  The final five contestants took their Brazilian maps and scurried off on “go sees,” dropping in on various fashionistas to strut their styles and book modeling gigs.  Arguably the cutest girl in the bunch, Fo was rejected by all five designers she visited, hearing the same criticism: “You’re short.”  Mind you, Fo stands 5-foot-9.  Makes you wonder what Tyra Banks has in store for us this fall when every Cycle 13 contestant is 5-foot-7 and under!  Fo’s photo shoot with Nigel Barker only made things worse, as her contorted poses looked alien.  Celia has battled a different problem: “You look old.”  The 25-year-old barely survived this week, but has impressed the judges at other times.  As Tyra advised, you have to overcome flaws—age, height, weight—with utterly fierce photos.  Or, as this week’s guest panelist noted, “Designers look for attitude.”  Teyona combines attitude with unique posing skills, emerging as the odds-on choice to win this round.  Our early favorite, Fo, meanwhile, was sent packing.  It’s hard to believe that Celia and bug-eyed Allison have made it this far, since both blondes have quirky features.  Can either pull an upset?

On the surface, Paulina Porizkova seems like the sweetest, most down-to-earth celebrity. But, as fans of America’s Next Top Model also realize, she’s not afraid to unleash her refreshing opinions—much like a certain outspoken Idol judge. “It feels really good to be called the ‘Simon of Top Model,’ as opposed to Paula, which Nigel (Barker) did on my first show,” she says in a new CW interview. “I try to be as honest as I can. I don’t think I benefit the girls by saying ‘Oh yes, you can absolutely be a model because you’re so gorgeous,’ when…you can’t.” The current cycle is all about transformation, Paulina explains, “because when I first saw the girls, I thought ‘who let the dogs out?’ They didn’t look like models. But they really grow into their beauty, into modeling, into being beautiful in pictures.” The supermodel icon can speak from experience. Once a poverty-stricken political refugee from Czechoslovakia, she and her young brother had to steal bread in order to eat. Then at age 15, Paulina was photographed by a friend and offered a ticket to Paris, where she soared to worldwide acclaim in the fashion modeling industry. Her first novel, A Model Summer (published last year), is loosely based on those early experiences. Tonight, Paulina and her fellow panelists will narrow the Top Model field to ten hopefuls. Have you chosen a favorite?

America’s Next Top Model makeover episodes are among the favorites for most viewers, and last night’s session raised an interesting question: can a model lose this competition because of her “new look?” Fo (pictured), for one, voiced that concern after her lengthy locks were cropped and chopped. She cried about looking “butch,” then cried some more, until the judges told her to “step it up.” (If you’re not ready to have your head potentially shaved, don’t try out for this show.) A dozen girls, some with similar names and looks, are hard to sort through, but one standout moment came when Natalie balked at a new style, and Jay Manuel stunned her by saying they had no intention of touching her hair—she has the “perfect model look” just as she is. That’s a first. The photo challenge, shot by Nigel Barker, was just weird. The girls had to pose while lighting themselves with two flashrods, and most fumbled badly. Only Teyona “rocked it,” Nigel praised. By contrast, Tyra said expressionless Nijah looked like a “beautiful corpse.” In a case of beauty “not translating to her photos,” Jessica was unexpectedly sent home; her pic was downright scary. “You have to look better in pictures than you do in person,” explained Tyra. It’s hard to imagine Allison or hardcore Celia going much further in this cycle. They have distinctly odd looks that would limit their careers. Whose makeover suits her the best? For second opinions, check out the encore tomorrow night.

Two weeks before the new round of America’s Next Top Model begins, Tyra Banks is already stockpiling contestants for the Fall.  Casting begins this month for Cycle 13 of the popular reality series, and aspiring models in Northeast Ohio can jump into contention by submitting a simple homemade video entry.  If you’re photogenic with runway potential, between the ages of 18 and 27, and stand up to 5-foot-7, you’re a prime candidate for CW stardom.  Just put together a three minute (or less) video on DVD or VHS, and make sure it arrives in California by the March 10 deadline.  Click here to carefully read the eligibility requirements, and click here to download an application.  Don’t miss the two-hour spring premiere of Top Model, which features some pretty “out there” personalities. 

Tyra Banks has assembled an interesting collection of beauties to compete for the twelfth crown on America’s Next Top Model, which returns in just three weeks. Those who watch the competition regularly realize that the contestants’ appearance can change dramatically after Makeover Day, but from the preview photos just released, do any girls stand out as clear favorites? Several certainly project a bit of moodiness, don’t they? Overall, Fo looks like an early frontrunner. Below is a short rundown of the model wannabes, beginning left to right on each row:

Allison, 20, an artist from New Orleans, Louisiana
Aminat, 21, a student from Union, New Jersey
Celia, 25, works in designer fashion sales; Cynthiana, Kentucky
Fo, 19, a student from Albuquerque, New Mexico
Teyona, 20, a loss prevention rep from Woodstown, New Jersey
Isabella, 19, an aspiring model from Barboursville, Virginia
Jessica, 18, a student from Bradenton, Florida
Kortnie, 24, a non-profit organizer from Houston, Texas
London, 18, a student from Arlington, Texas
Sandra, 18, a student from Rockville, Maryland
Natalie, 19, a student from Palos Verdes, California
Nijah, 18, an aspiring model from Rancho Cucamonga, California
Tahlia, 18, a student from Phoenix, Arizona

Tyra Banks recently gave five memorable contestants from America’s Next Top Model a second chance to break into the industry—and Columbus girl Dominique Reighard from Cycle 10 took full advantage, winning a $50,000 spokesmodel contract with Carol’s Daughter cosmetics.  The Modelville competition was incorporated bi-weekly into Tyra’s daily talk show (which comes to WBNX next fall), and reunited Dominque with rivals Fatima from Somalia and awkward artist Lauren; plus Renee from Cycle 8 and outspoken Bianca from Cycle 9.  The quintet once again had to live together, while preparing to write, direct and star in their own 30-second commercials for the client.  Lauren quit before filming her spot, admitting she wasn’t suited for the speaking role.  The two girls who’ve faced obstacles since their ANTM appearance were then trimmed: Fatima had revealed that her limited editorial job bookings barely cover expenses; while Bianca made headlines in August for an airport family brawl with Hairspray star Nikki Blonsky.  On the finale, Ohio’s Dominque edged out Renee, who fled the stage in tears.  Such drama.  Click here for an in-depth recap of the Modelville feature, and watch for the return of America’s Next Top Model, following The CW’s eight-episode run of 13: Fear is Real.

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.