TVSquad

For the thirteenth season of America's Next Top Model nothing really has changed. The girls stand even less of a chance of being a successful model this season because of their well-advertised height deficit. Fans of the show will find the same exact program since ANTM has been part of the CW lineup. I guess after twelve cycles, it's inevitable that we'd see a lot of the same.

Top Model will also be emphasizing the word "petite" for the height-challenged girls. There are points of bad overdubbing where the Jays voiced over the word "petite" because they didn't originally use it. If this season does well, it may become the catalyst for "America's Next Top Plus-Sized Model."

The biggest problem that I have with the premiere episode, which premieres tonight at 8 ET, is that the budget is suffering. From the rotating guest judge to the first photo shoot, Tyra seems to be pocketing extra cash. Two seasons ago in the casting phase there were big prop computers, iMovie-added lightning bolts and skin-tight blue outfits. Last season was in Las Vegas with faux-Roman warriors. This season, the semifinals looked like they were in a hotel conference hall. To make it funnier, watch out for the Tyra version of her Etch-a-Sketch. She has a Madden moment as she tries to draw the girl's new hair.

Speaking of make-overs, the girls thankfully get their "Ty-Overs" right after the semi-finals. None of the styles are original: the lion's mane, the weave with bangs, the blondes and the fire reds. This season also reminds the audience that matching eyebrow color with hair is also important, with several girls getting bleached eyebrows. The big question is if Tyra will actually touch up the girls' hair halfway through, or will the girls with the bleach blond, "ice princess" hair start showing their roots?

The first photo shoot involves the contestant's childhood photos. Not only does blaringly different photos give some girls disadvantages (one girl's photo has her with bent legs, automatically making her look smaller than she actually is), the props could have been bought at a toy store. Tyra probably went to an assistant, "We need sand, balloons, a plastic baby, some generic toys, and a ballerina costume. Here's $20."

The whole episode will leave you wondering "Who is that?" Most of the contestants are outlandish, but after one very audacious girl quits after the semi-finals, we're left with one easily forgotten girl. The girls are all still feeling each other out, but the bitches rise to the front of the TV. I'm still going to watch ANTM, not because of the height gimmick, but because I'm addicted to bad reality television.