America's Next Top Model: Trailer, certificate and where to watch
The wild modelling contest hosted by Tyra Banks, now streaming for free
Year: 2003-2018
Certificate: pg
If you liked US reality TV in the 2000s, then one show stood head and shoulders above the crowd for its sheer madness. America's Next Top Model, hosted by the fierce yet oddly maternal Tyra Banks, was dynamite television.
The competing models all lived in a house together, the mood of which would often descend into flat-out catfights as perceived infractions from the day's contests were picked apart. The challenges set for the warring models were globe-trotting and extraordinary, and many simply wouldn't be allowed on TV today.
One featured the girls in Morocco, decked out in 'locally inspired' outfits while striding around with trays of lit candles on their heads. Another involved them walking catwalks in blindfolds, but perhaps the most remarkable demanded that they strut down the side of a building in heels and harnesses.
And then there was Tyra's entourage. Her core lieutenants over the years were creative director Jay Manuel and catwalk coach J Alexander, while the pool of judges included Twiggy, Nigel Barker and Janice Dickinson. In 'cycle 23' (aka series 23 - this show even had its own word for series), ANTM was hosted by Rita Ora but it's the Tyra years you want. Just wait until you see her teaching the girls how to 'smize' (that's smile with your eyes). You'll see that more than once.
Pluto also has Britain's Next Top Model, which is good enough and memorable for giving us Abbey Clancy (as a contender then later a judge), but it's not quite the same as the original. Please note: both shows are offered as live streaming channels rather than being purely on demand, so there's no way to pick and choose which episode you watch. That snag aside, ANTM is still a lot of fun, partly because it's such a time capsule - and the prospect of an incoming Netflix documentary about the show gives another good reason to dip back in. (24 series)
