Though it’s only been three months since fans carefully selected the right shade of black to wear while mourning the end of America’s Next Top Model, it now looks like they’ll have to put together a fabulous “surprise renewal” outfit because the show’s just been revived. According to Deadline, Top Model will rise from the false eyelashes thanks to VH1, which retrieved the show from its CW home. “We could not be more excited to bring back and breathe new life into one of the greatest unscripted franchises on television,” Scott Koondel, chief licensing officer for CBS Corp., told the publication. “VH1 is the perfect partner for this new endeavor and we hope this is the beginning of a long relationship.”
To that end, the network has just ordered a new 14-episode season of the show that’s taught so many people to strut, smize, and to indulge their hubris. Top Model’s Ken Mok will resume his role as executive producer alongside Tyra Banks, who created the show and thus served as its tyrannical host. However, as she notes in her statement below, Banks will not host the new season of the show.
“After creating an incredible, global brand, I am beyond excited to have the show reborn. I will continue as Executive Producer, but must turn my attention to new business endeavors, so I want to find a new host. I’m pumped to identify that person and bring back the show. Top Model fans, you demanded that the show come back, and VH1 answered the call. Get ready for a fierce-a-fied rebirth!”
Setting aside for a moment any theories on what a “fierce-a-fied rebirth” could be (and whether it could involve Lindsay Lohan), we have to wonder what pressing business would prevent Banks for hosting again. After all, her latest talk show, FABLife, was canceled last fall. Maybe Banks needs some time to look over the pertinent court documents in the lawsuit that a former contestant filed against her last summer, which describes the show’s conditions as prison-like.