evalicious

The America's Next Top Model finale was brilliant. Now I really hate that I missed the party. I probably could have left Lina alone but I felt like I should stay with her. Since I couldn't snark at the party, here's my commentary:

Three seasons, and twice the person I liked best out of the final four has won. Yay for Eva! Actually what I really want is for the people I like best to get into the top three, because by that point they all have almost an equal shot at a career. I guess Yoanna is doing a little better than Mercedes from season 2, but they're both working. And Elise from season 1 has the most success of anyone from any season. Winning doesn't seem to get them that much of a head start (just ask Adrianne how fame is working out for her) though I get the impression the show is trying harder to set it up so the sponsors can't renege on the prizes.

I have my doubts about the "real fashion show" not being staged for ANTM. Because for one, last season the final episode fashion show was for D Squared, but I've seen their past three shows on Fashiontrance, and the ANTM show wasn't one of them. I bet this one was the same way. Second, if that was the real collection then why was makeup artist Jay Manuel in charge of it? Doesn't the designer have her own staff who handle her runway shows? Third, they never said whether it was the Fall 2004 or Spring 2005 show. When did they film this thing anyway? It couldn't have been Fall 2004, that was way back in February. It could have been Spring 2005, that was in September. But still, I suspect this was a special runway show they put together for ANTM. I did like that they made them walk in a different style, that made it more of a challenge. And I agreed with the judges that Eva's walk was better than Yaya's. I thought Yaya looked terrified.

Despite Tyra's protestations to the contrary, I heard that she very much wanted a black woman to win this season. Which is not to say that Eva didn't deserve to win, just that I think that was in her favor and Yaya's as well.

I also hear that Tyra and her mother are planning a talk show. Which explains mom's presence on the show, and the frequent "one on one" talks where Tyra gives her sage advice. They may have been doing those talks all along, but this is the first season I remember seeing it on the show.

Best moment of the episode: Janice jumping on Eva and wrapping her legs around her waist. Was Janice just waiting for her chance now that Ann and Eva are splitsville? I love that crazy silicone inflated freak so much. I think she lost the "world's first supermodel" war with Tyra. She hardly argued at all this season about whether she was just one of the world's first supermodels or the very first. (for what it's worth, I think she's clearly not the world's first supermodel -- Twiggy anyone? -- but she claims to have coined the term.)

Worst challenge of the season: the tea ceremony. What the hell did that have to do with modeling?

Best challenge of the season: acting the death scene with, what is that guy's name, Taye Diggs? Making them read all that medical terminology and then speak French was hi-larious.

Biggest editing-inspired personality whiplash: Amanda. Remember the beginning of the season when she made up accusations of theft against Eva and left money on the dresser to trap her? Wondering why none of that stuff was in the clip show? Me too.