The most-anticipated episodes of CW reality competitions are the mind-blowing makeovers. America’s Next Top Model, in particular, is known for its radical redo’s, and last night the results were hit-and-miss. Best of the lot were newly-blonde Claire, now shorn on both sides; Marvita, whose mohawk gained a “horse mane hair weave” invented by Tyra; and Fatima, who exchanged her orange kinks for a stunning long, dark weave (which she cried thru most of). Allison hated her new fluffy light tresses, but it was a bad week overall for my original pick to win. The ex-anorexic took offense to a weight comment by Fatima, and seemed bent on verbal revenge. Overconfidence (”My experience is obviously an automatic advantage.”) and too much practice-posing was Allison’s undoing, as she couldn’t even outlast Buckeye Dominique, of whom Jay Manuel said: “Her shoot was terrible. It looks like it belongs in a catalog.” The girls were tasked with modeling Elle Macpherson’s intimate apparel, and several could stand to eat a hamburger or two. Coincidentally, next week they’ll be literally wearing raw meat clothes in the weirdest shoot imaginable.The Pussycat Dolls will give their Girlicious hotties a glam makeover Monday. But this week, they learned about charisma—and the girls who “thought” they had it…didn’t. Tall redhead Ilisa is an oddity; nasty Natalie even said, “Everyone knows Ilisa isn’t going to be part of Girlicious.” That was before each gal was critiqued by a flock of young fans, with Ilisa chosen one of the two favorites. Sexy Chrystina sulked after surviving the dreaded Bottom Two, as Alexis was sent home to dental school. The three group stage acts (with songs I’d actually heard of: These Boots Were Made For Walkin’, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Respect) were all really well done in the season’s best episode.

CW devotees are breathing much easier with this week’s early announcement that six series will definitely return for the fall season: Smallville, Supernatural, One Tree Hill, America’s Next Top Model, Everybody Hates Chris, and rookie sensation Gossip Girl. That leaves 7½-hours yet to fill, and it’s very possible that one or more current shows will also make the cut—such as The Game, Reaper or Aliens in America. One slot could be taken if the network likes the pilot it just ordered for How To Teach Filthy Rich Girls, about a young ex-tabloid reporter hired to be the live-in tutor/life coach for a cosmetic mogul’s granddaughters. Will reality fare Beauty & The Geek, Pussycat Dolls or Crowned get another life? The still-untitled fashion magazine competition is a firm “go,” but which of the network’s other look-see projects will dazzle the programmers? Answers come within ten weeks, as the 2008-09 Upfront Presentation is set for May 15. Tracking potential development slates, The Futon Critic lists four dramas and two comedies on the CW radar:

• The Collection: a dramedy based on the life of famed designer Isaac Mizrahi
• How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days: romantic misadventures of a female advice columnist
• Undercover: an updated version of 21 Jump Street
• Maria Sharapova project: drama set inside the world of women’s pro tennis
• Sherri Shepherd project: comedy about a married woman—and her husband’s “other family”
• Nanny Dallas: dramedy about four nannies and the rich families they service

Though 13 episodes were previously ordered for star-laden midseason comedy Eight Days a Week, the writer’s strike seems to have thrown the series in limbo. Hopefully it’s a candidate for this fall. Remember, new ideas for shows are pitched almost daily, so the above choices can quickly expand. What are your thoughts or predictions for The CW’s third season schedule?

You had to see it. Seated at the first Top Model 10 panel session were supermodel legends Tyra Banks and Paulina Porizkova, along with runway guru J. Alexander and renowned fotog Nigel Barker. Standing before them was contestant Kimberly, dissing the entire high-fashion industry! The blonde said she didn’t believe girls have to wear pricey clothes and accessories, apparently missing the point that she’d never have to buy or wear the duds…just model ‘em and hang ‘em up. Moments later, the incredulous judges banished her to the nearest outlet store. Much as I liked Twiggy, candid Paulina is an extroverted upgrade. Earlier, she offered no-holds-barred critiques of each girl, likening Ohio’s Dominique to a drag queen. The “house theme” this season is using your passion to benefit the world, reflected in the first photo shoot: the plight of homeless youth—something combatitants Marvita and Fatima had actually experienced. Though Kim quit the team, the judges still evicted laid-back cutie Atalya to close out the series’ milestone 100th episode.

In The CW’s other coed war, several Girlicious hopefuls turned on pushy gossip Natalie, who sees herself as the PCD’s next lead singer and leaves no opinion unspoken. This week’s winning foursome got to harmonize the national anthem at a Dodgers’ minor league baseball game, and “old school” (at age 25!) Carrie won immunity for her standout work. Later, Chrystina, Charlye, Jenna and Carrie rocked the judges with their song-and-dance routine; while pageant-trained Megan was told to hang up her boa. Eleven girls remain…with eight more to shed.

Half the fun of watching America’s Next Top Model is making an early prediction of who you think (or hope) will win. The other half is digesting the unfathomable drama that occurs when 14 high-maintenance femmes are bunking in close quarters. In that respect, Cycle 10 of The CW’s top series came out last night with fists-a-flyin’. Thirty-five girls endured schoolmaster Miss J’s Runway 101 prep course, and 20 finalists were eventually pared down to 13. Tyra decided to add one more model, who turned out to be Columbus, Ohio gal Dominique. Now, where to begin? How about the oddity of those three uncanny look-alikes: Allison, who could be Alyssa Milano’s twin; Kimberly, a less-attractive Reese Witherspoon; and Claire, who’s got the genes of Lilith on Frasier! Somalia-born Fatima has a horrific backstory, but ignited the hot temper of punk Marvita (back after Cycle 9 rejection and therapy). Whitney proudly—and loudly—carries the “Plus-Size” banner; awkward non-conformist Lauren will provide oodles of pity laughs; Anya’s likely to have a sock stuffed in her babbling mouth; and Amis is intent on playing comedian. Can Claire endure two months away from her still-nursing baby? Will overconfident Dominique eat humble pie? Who knows? But at the end of the ride, my Top Two picks to win this New York battle are Allison, who has shown creativity at every turn thus far; and Fatima, who drew comparisons to supermodel Iman. Click here to see photos of the 14 candidates.

The CW has ordered eight episodes of a brand new reality series from the duo behind America’s Next Top Model and a trio of producers behind Project Runway.  Described as The Devil Wears Prada meets The Assistant, the show is a competition about aspirants looking to become assistant editors at a fashion magazine.  Fashionista hopefuls will have to prove they have a sense of style and savvy, all the things needed to make it in the fashion world.  In each episode, there will be an individual challenge and a team editorial challenge—with groups submitting a page for “The Book,” a mock edition of the magazine.  The losing team’s page will end up in the trash, and one of its members will be eliminated.  Producers are in negotiation with a leading fashion magazine to host the contestants and help judge the challenges.  The overall winner will land a job in the fashion industry.  Though still untitled, the series will begin production in April for a TV launch in late spring or summer, and is viewed as a potential companion piece for The CW’s #1 show, Top Model, which returns with Cycle 10 on Feb. 20.  The Devil Wears Prada, incidentally, was the 2006 Oscar-nominated film, starring Meryl Streep as a ruthless NYC fashion magazine editor and Anne Hathaway as her put-upon assistant.

January is the month when we’re bombarded with entertainment awards too numerous to mention. Often, they go to the same cast of characters—whichever show Hollywood deems hot and trendy at the moment. For a more accurate reflection of what viewers are passionate about, however, the recent E!Online poll is worth noting. It asked website visitors which series they’d like to see more coverage on, and two CW dramas swept up nearly 60% of the votes. Supernatural (29%) and One Tree Hill (28%) dominated to such an extent, they were eventually removed from the ballot to give other shows a fighting chance. Not just here in Cleveland, but across the nation, those serials have a loyal, vocal fanbase. Nominations were also announced for the 39th annual NAACP Image Awards, and, as usual, The CW leads the pack with 18 nods, more than all four of the other networks combined. Girlfriends and Everybody Hates Chris picked up seven apiece in comedy categories, and America’s Next Top Model is also vying for the Outstanding Reality Series title. Finally, TV Guide polled its readers to find the “Most Heartwarming Series” of all-time, and Gilmore Girls topped the list. It was “can’t miss” viewing for me, for sure, but was it more heartwarming than, say, Little House on the Prairie, which nearly always left an embarrassing lump in the throat? Your thoughts?

The CW has released group and individual photos of the new contestants for reality competitions America’s Next Top Model and Pussycat Dolls present: Girlicious. Naturally I took a quick glance over each set and was immediately struck by one thing: the PCD girls are hotter. I realize Tyra Banks and the modeling industry are always hunting for unique looks to hang designer clothes on, and that doesn’t always translate to “cute.” Whereas, the PCD show will be creating a brand new three-member singing group, Girlicious, which has to connect with a wide audience in concerts—and also sell a lot of CDs. It’s amazing how a simple smile can somehow make the PCD girls more relatable. Sure, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and the Top Models will take some amazing camera shots. But there will also be a lot of guys nodding at the musical mantra of the original Pussycat Dolls, “Don’t cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me?”

Click here to see Pussycat Dolls present: Girlicious photo gallery

Click here to see America’s Next Top Model, Cycle 10 photo gallery

The CW has wasted no time in prepping fresh entertainment for the coming months.  In fact, the start dates for three popular competition series are fast approaching.  Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious debuts Mon., Feb. 18; America’s Next Top Model, cycle 10, premieres Wed., Feb. 20; and Beauty & The Geek, round 5, kicks off Tue., March 11.  There’s quite a bit of schedule revamping, with comedies shifting to Sunday and Gossip Girl to Monday, so just click here for an easy rundown.  Also, Tyra Banks has already begun scouting for her next group of chic model wannabes.  Amazingly, Cycle 11 will air this fall—so if you’re between 18-27 years old, at least 5-foot-7, and…well, gorgeous, check out these Casting Call details to see if there’s a runway and a quirky panel of judges in your future.  Remember, Czech supermodel Paulina Porizkova joins the cast in place of Twiggy for this go-round.   The Pussycat Dolls show will be assembling an entirely new girl group.  And what twists await our innocent Geeks?  Only Ashton Kutcher knows for sure…

It wasn’t a good night to be blonde on The CW, as Saleisha edged out fair-haired beauties Chantal and Jenah to become America’s Next Top Model.  While some judges wondered if Saleisha’s girl-next-door looks would translate to high-fashion, her fierce leaping photo at the Great Wall of China was hailed as the best shot of this season’s competition, and she worked the exotic runway last night like a confident pro.  Earlier, the three finalists filmed another commercial—and proved, once again, that “modeling” and “acting” are two different beasts.  Their struggles when the camera began to roll was painful to see…”take 19, take 20.”  A teleprompter would really help.  Jenah was axed at the first panel session, when Nigel said her performance seemed to be making fun of the product.  The other two girls also took parting shots at Jenah when they were asked who was least-qualified to win.  All three finalists take excellent pictures, but Saleisha has the complete package and was a great choice.

Meanwhile, on the series premiere of Crowned, two of the cockiest and most-unsociable teams were facing elimination, with the Blonde Bombshells—thinking they were goners—instructed to “de-sash” the Reigning A’s.  It was a wildly amusing debut, as moms and daughters chose their team names, then made rather odd first impressions on the judges, who are bitingly-honest in their critiques.  Carson Kressley said the Bombshells’ enormous hats made them look like Amish hookers…and well, you can imagine his reaction to one pair calling themselves “Silent But Deadly.”  Many of the teams have legit reasons for needing the $100,000 prize (husband was killed in a helicopter crash, kidney transplant, lost their home, etc.), and they don’t care who they step on to win it.  It’s a delicious blend of Mean Girls and Clueless!  After only one episode, I suspect this could be my favorite reality show ever.

America voted, and Buckeye babe Jasmine and her Boston partner Dave were awarded the $250,000 Grand Prize last night on Beauty & The Geek.  The season finale was taped with a rowdy studio audience, reuniting each of the ten teams for some behind-the-scenes Q & A.  Some of the guys, like Luke and Josh, are reveling in their newfound confidence, dating up to three girls a week!  Hollie, the professional “Betty Boop,” was inspired to boost her brainpower by enrolling in college.  We also met the mother of ultra-nerd Joshua, and the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree.  Jasmine (the nanny we crowned “funniest airhead ever” at the start of the competition) looked smokin’, and says she can now move out of her mom’s basement; while Dave may have to spend some of his loot on lattes and lobster, after his friends started a funny online matchmaking site for their LARP-ing pal, DateDavid.org.  The finale also brought out that creepy tarantula and tried again to get petrified Jasmine to touch it (what’s the point, here?) as it scurried across Dave’s back.  Dude, give me a rolled-up magazine and that thing is history.  As for the runner-up team, Nicole heads back to her music and Sam returns to his party-boy haunts…but with or without TV flame Rebecca?  Many recognized Sam Horrigan as the former child actor who’s had a few notable roles over the past 14 years (Little Giants, Grace Under Fire).  He appears in the upcoming flick Bar Starz.

Tonight, America’s Next Top Model will reveal its Final Three, giving the boot to either Bianca, Saleisha, Chantal or Jenah.  Tyra says Chantal reminds her of Cheryl Tiegs—not a bad comparison, but is her sunny look versatile enough?  Jenah must not have watched last season, because she repeated the error of joking around with Nigel…not a good idea.  I’d wager she gets the Chinese gong tonight.  Bianca and Saleisha were in my original final three picks, but I now think Saleisha has the looks and personality to win it all.