In Netflix’s America’s Next Top Model Doc, A Harrowing Story Reveals the Ethical Fog of Reality TV

Netflix’s new three-part series, Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model, highlights a particularly troubling story from the show’s history. America’s Next Top Model, created and hosted by Tyra Banks, was a reality competition where aspiring models competed for a contract and the title. It aired for 24 seasons across three networks (UPN, The CW, VH1) from 2003 to 2018. While initially successful, the show quickly became known for its controversies, including harsh judging, questionable challenges, backstage conflicts, and a disregard for the physical and mental well-being of its young contestants. It also produced some of the most memorable moments in reality TV, like Banks’ famous outburst – “I was rooting for you!” – from Season 4. The series provides some helpful context for that event, but it’s the show’s belated look at what happened to Shandi Sullivan in Milan that is truly disturbing. The things left unsaid about her experience are as unsettling as anything revealed in the documentary.

The ‘Mandalorian & Grogu’ Trailer Still Doesn’t Justify Why It’s a Movie

Despite being based on the popular Disney+ series The Mandalorian, the upcoming movie featuring Din Djarin and Grogu doesn’t quite feel like a major cinematic event. Even knowing the story, it doesn’t seem big enough to justify being a full-length film – it still feels more like an extended TV episode. However, it’s still too soon to dismiss the movie entirely, and there are reasons to remain hopeful about the upcoming Star Wars film.

Watch the Batman Begins Cast Record Lines for the Video Game

The initial installment of the series, Batman: Arkham Asylum, was released in the summer of 2009, roughly a year after Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight came out in theaters. While not directly based on the movie, the game’s intricate story, mature tone, and thrilling action were designed to attract fans of Nolan’s vision of Batman.