Imitation Is the Sincerest Form of Copying

If you didn't know better, you might think TV was all about imitation:

Add supermodel to the list of dream jobs reality television is promising its viewers.

UPN has given an eight-episode midseason order to an hourlong reality series tentatively titled "Supermodel," with Tyra Banks serving as an executive producer and judge.

The project joins a growing roster of talent search series that have emerged since Fox garnered summer success with "American Idol." Already in the works: an update of "Star Search," as well as searches for country music stars, comedy stars, action film stars and candidates for the presidency of the United States.

I think that last one is a joke.

"'Supermodel' offers a twist on the reality genre and is a perfect fit for UPN and our audience," said Dawn Ostroff, UPN's president of entertainment.

Yes their audience is all very tall and thin and bitchy.

"The series combines the excitement of competition and the real-life drama of people pursing their dreams."

Added Banks: "With 'Supermodel,' I want to demystify the glamour and show the challenges and hard work of becoming a supermodel, but in a humorously hip and edgy way."

I 've been longing to have supermodeling demystified.

Banks is known largely for her work in the Victoria's Secret campaigns as well as the Sports Illustrated swimsuit special issue.

The series will feature a nationwide talent search for eight contenders who believe they can make it in the modeling world. Participants will live together as they vie in weekly tests for a modeling contract.

Yeah, girl fights!

Somehow this report missed one crucial talent contest show:

FOX 8'S CLEVELAND IDOL RULES & REGULATIONS
....The Process for Audition / Casting Call: At 7AM on October 5, 2002 in front of The Odeon, sequentially numbered tickets will be passed out, these tickets only guarantee you a place in line. This helps to insure that all possible contestants have the same chance of being first in line, eliminating the need to camp out. The starting number for the line will be picked immediately after the last numbered ticket is handed out. The starting number will be drawn randomly by someone standing in line. The person holding the ticket that matches the starting number drawn will be first in line (i.e. if #'s 1-100 are issued and number 10 is drawn, the line would start with 10, then 11, 12, 13 through 100 then 1-9. When the starting number is announced, the line will shift accordingly. If you arrived after the tickets have been passed out, you must join the line standing behind those with tickets.
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Article Author: Eric Olsen

Career media professional Eric Olsen is honored to be the founder and former publisher of Blogcritics.org, and former publisher of Technorati.com, which both rule. He is now editor, co-founder, and CEO of The Morton Report.

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