[Bravo Photo: Clay Patrick McBride/© 2009 NBC Universal, Inc.]

Congratulations to Brandon for winning Make Me a Supermodel!

Last night was the season 2 finale of Make Me a Supermodel. The three finalists, Jonathan, Brandon and Sandhurst battled it out in one last photo shoot and runway show. They also got to welcome their families and bring them to a gallery opening of all their photos from the season.

Personally, I think Brandon is the weakest of the three and that Sandhurst should have won, hands down! But I’m not one of the judges, so they didn’t ask me.

Brandon really did mature a lot during the season, and the judges liked his look better. I wish him well in his new career.

On last night’s episode of Make Me a Supermodel, the final five went to a freezing cold beach to pose for photos with slimy, cold sea creatures. Then, they had to put on corsets and blond wigs to walk the runway. Things weren’t great for some of the models.

And even though Salome won 5 out of 11 of the photo shoot challenges, she still had trouble on the runway. With the strength of her competition this late in the season, Salome was sent packing. Here’s what she had to say about her plans now tthat she’s no longer on the show:

[Photos: © 2009 NBC Universal, Inc.]

On tonight’s new episode of Make Me a Supermodel, the models have the night off to unwind in the apartment and start playing a crazy game of beer pong. Then as the beer consumption increases, Amanda and Gabe’s budding relationship sees its first argument:

Later, the models have an underwater photo shoot, forcing Salome, who can’t swim, to learn how to hold her breath and not freak out. Then when left to practice on her own, Salome becomes the center of a potential crisis:

Be sure to watch tonight’s Make Me A Supermodel on Bravo at 10/9c.

[Photos: © 2009 NBC Universal, Inc.]

Tonight on Make Me a Superstar, as the remaining contestants grow closer in the apartment, Kerryn continues to talk to Colin about losing his “V” card by grabbing his crotch. The rest of the models are both shocked and amused. Check it out:

Then the models are freaked out when they have a photo shoot that makes them look like zombies from Thriller. Some have their ass hanging out, some look like they’re in drag…and they ask, “Who thought this was a good idea?”

And when Tyson tells them to pack a small bag to bring to the shoot, the models wonder where the winner will get to travel and what the prize is. And there’s a mystery guest mentor to fill in for Tyson while he’s in London.

Be sure to watch tonight’s Make Me A Supermodel on Bravo at 10/9c.

[Photo: © 2009 NBC Universal, Inc.]

Today I got to do something that I know so many women would love to do…I got to participate in a conference call with Tyson Beckford!!! Yes, that’s right, the super-hot model and host of the reality series Make Me a Supermodel, Tyson Beckford. (Be still, my heart!!) He was so nice on the call and it was just completely cool to be a part of it.

But, hey, I can’t actually say that he was there to talk to me personally. He and fellow supermodel Nicole Trunfio, who will be a part of the second season of the series as the models’ mentor, answered questions in a conference call with members of the press. I am honored that I got to take part in it.

The two talked about the second season of Bravo’s breakout hit reality series, Make Me a Supermodel, that will premiere next Wednesday, March 4 at 10/9c. Lots of people got to ask them questions, but I’ll give you all the questions and answers here:

Q: Hey, I wanted to know how you think the modeling business overall has changed since you started? And would you want to have to break in at this point in the game?

Tyson Beckford: I think basically the kids are outstanding but they don’t really have so much personality. And you know it - I don’t think they are as talented as we were when I first started. You know a lot of these kids are just picked off of the street. And they are just picking them because they are tall. I’ve seem some of them walk and they can’t.

Nicole Trunfio: At the same time as well, there’s also like so many other ways that scouts can get to like the tiniest little countries in the middle of continents and stuff. So they can find people that haven’t got any experience or any knowledge about the industry. I think there is less personality and it’s less glamorized. And there’s no diva anymore.

Q: I noticed looking over all of the contestants this year there’s quite a few that kind of live in smaller towns or smaller states. They are not from the metropolitan areas. Do you think they have an advantage or a disadvantage not being in the metropolitan areas?
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[Photo: © 2009 NBC Universal, Inc.]

The nominees for the 2nd annual A-List Awards have been announced. The awards air on Bravo and are hosted by self-proclaimed “D-List” celebrity Kathy Griffin. Last year, because the awards were so new, there were not nearly as many categories as this year. But now they seem to really be embracing the fun of the awards. (You know with Kathy as the host, they can’t be totally serious, right?)

Anyway, the wonderful news is that a number of reality stars and shows have been nominated for this year’s A-List Awards. Here are the descriptions of the categories and the nominees:

A-LIST ABS – Awarded to the 6-pack that you can drink in without taking in a calorie.

• Christian Bale
• Tyson Beckford (Make Me a Supermodel)
• David Beckham
• Hugh Jackman
• Matthew McConaughey

A-LIST CELEBRITY AUTOBIOGRAPHY – Presented to the celebrity that most would like to read about.

• Eminem - The Way I Am
• Carrie Fisher – Wishful Drinking
• Steve Martin - Born Standing Up
• Maureen McCormack - Here’s The Story: Surviving Marcia Brady (Celebrity Fit Club)
• Tori Spelling - sToriTelling (various reality shows)

REALITY’S GUILTIEST PLEASURE – Presented to the most popular and entertaining individual in a reality TV series.

• The Girls Next Door –”The Girls Next Door”
• Kim Kardashian – “Keeping Up with the Kardashians”
• NeNe Leakes –”The Real Housewives Of Atlanta”
• Bret Michaels – “Rock of Love”
• Gretchen Rossi - “The Real Housewives Of Orange County”

One of the fresh, new reality series on Bravo last year was the very cool, Make Me a Supermodel. I don’t know about you, but anything that lets me watch and drool over hottie Tyson Beckford is worth the watch, no matter what. But the show had a lot more substance than just the eye candy aspect. And there certainly was a lot of eye candy!

Let’s take a look at what the show has to offer. Beautiful hosts, beautiful contestants, interesting challenges that often get a bit risque, and more realistic information about the world of modeling thatn some other reality modeling shows that I will refrain from naming…

This season, the show will lose Niki Taylor, one of its orginal hosts, but will be gaining some new judges, and I’m sure there will be a lot of new twists. Bravo has some of the most interesting reality series on TV, so you can bet this one’s a winner. So without further ado, here are the new contestants who want to become supermodels:

[Photo: © 2009 NBC Universal, Inc.]

Amanda’s life changed drastically when she left the small town of Banks, Ore. After graduation from Westview High School, she traveled to Asia to work on a modeling career at the age of seventeen. Now a single mom of one-year-old Hunter, Amanda would risk everything for her family and counts her mom as a best friend and her biggest supporter. She has returned to her hometown where she works in the health and wellness industry. Amanda enjoys dancing, camping, and playing the piano.
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According to my fellow Spekked blogger, Julie, there’s good news and bad news for fans of Niki Taylor, co-host of last season’s Bravo hit Make Me a Supermodel. The good news is that she’s expecting a new baby and plans to stay home to care for it and be with her family more.

The bad news for her fans is that she won’t be returning to the second season of the show. Her co-host for the first season, hottie Tyson Beckford will be back, so at least we have that to look forward to.

Here’s some of what Niki had to say about her departure from th show:

“There is a second season but I’m not doing it. I’m not in it. I live in Nashville and I was on a plane two times a week and I’m pregnant now. It was a lot of flying for me,” she said.

That’s not the only reason she chose to step down from the show. “They decided to take the show in a more… not risque… but.. just a little more.. I’m just not good at telling people how to look or act or be,” she said. “It was a great season. I don’t know how the second season will be but I’ll definitely watch it. Tyson’s still on it.”

I’m thrilled for Niki on her great news! And I’ll let you know as soon as I find out about her replacement on the show.

[Photo: Bauer-Griffin]

This time of the year, the prime-time shows go into a repeat pattern and a lot of reality shows wind down. It’s because people tend to be very caught up in the holidays and end of year activities and don’t watch TV as much. Yes, we just started a new season of Secret Millionaire and Top Chef 5, but not much else is happening in the world of reality TV for the next couple of weeks.

But not to worry, there’s a whole new batch of reality series heading our way and here’s the line-up that I have so far:

2008-2009 - Premiere Dates Announced:

• Intervention [A&E, Dec. 15 at 10, Mondays at 9]
• Momma’s Boys [NBC, Dec. 16 at 10, Mondays at 9 but 10 p.m. as of Jan. 5]
• Smile You’re Under Arrest [Fox Reality, Dec. 27, Saturdays at 7]
• Bromance [MTV, Dec. 29, Mondays at 9] - watch for coverage at MTVRealityWorld.com
• Countdown to the Crown [TLC, Jan. 2, Fridays at 10]
• Confessions of a Teen Idol [VH1, Jan. 4, Sundays at 8] - I’ll Cover this on VH1RealityWorld.com
• Rock of Love Bus with Bret Michaels [VH1, Jan. 4, Sundays at 9] - I’ll Cover this on VH1RealityWorld.com
• Superstar Dancers of the World/Superstars of Dance [NBC, Sunday, Jan. 4 at 9, Mondays at 8] - I’ll be covering this on DanceWatcher.com
• The Bachelor 13 [ABC, Jan. 5, Mondays at 8]
• True Beauty [ABC, Jan. 5, Mondays at 10]
• DietTribe [Lifetime, Jan. 5, Mondays at 10] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• The Biggest Loser 6 [NBC, Jan. 6, Tuesdays at 8] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• Homeland Security USA [ABC, Jan. 6, Tuesdays at 8]
• 13: Fear is Real [The CW, Jan. 7, Wednesdays at 8] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• The Real World Brooklyn [MTV, Jan. 7, Wednesdays at 10] - watch for coverage at MTVRealityWorld.com
• Tool Academy [VH1, Jan. 11, Sundays at 10] - I’ll Cover this on VH1RealityWorld.com
• High School Reunion 5 [TV Land, Feb. 18, Wednesdays at 10] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• Greg Behrendt’s Wake-Up Call [SoapNet, Jan. 8, Thursdays at 11]
• American Idol 8 [Fox, Jan. 13, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8]
• I Love Money 2 [VH1, Jan. 26, Mondays at 9] - I’ll Cover this on VH1RealityWorld.com
• Eddie Griffin: Going for Broke [VH1, Jan. 26, Mondays at 10] - I’ll Cover this on VH1RealityWorld.com
• Hell’s Kitchen 5 [Fox, Jan. 29, Thursdays at 9] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• Around the World for Free [WGN America, January]
• Chris & John to the Rescue! [Logo, January]
• Gone Country 3 [CMT, January 2009]
• Project Runway 6 [Lifetime, January 2009] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• The Exterminators [A&E, Feb. 4, Wednesdays at 10:30]
• Jockeys [Animal Planet, Feb. 6]
• Wingman [Fine Living, Feb. 10, Tuesdays at 9]
• Survivor 18 [CBS, Feb. 12, Thursdays at 8] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• The Millionaire Matchmaker [Bravo, Feb. 12, Thursdays at 10] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• The Amazing Race 14 [CBS, Feb. 15, Sundays at 8] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• Celebrity Apprentice 2 [NBC, March 1, Sundays at 9] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• Dancing with the Stars 8 [ABC, March 9, Mondays at 8, Tuesdays at 9] - I’ll be covering this on DanceWatcher.com
• Running in Heels [Style, March 2009]

2009 - Premiere Date TBD

• Blonde Charity Mafia [Lifetime]
• The City [MTV, first quarter 2009] - watch for coverage at MTVRealityWorld.com
• The Cougar [TV Land, spring]
• Creature [Animal Planet]
• Dance Your Ass Off [Oxygen] - I’ll be covering this on DanceWatcher.com
• Ghost Hunters [Sci Fi]
• How’d You Get So Rich? [TV Land]
• Jingles [CBS]
• Untitled Larry Birkhead series [E!, 2009]
• Lock ‘N Load [Showtime, 2009]
• Make Me a Supermodel 2 [Bravo] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• Make My Day [TV Land]
• The Phone [MTV] - watch for coverage at MTVRealityWorld.com
• The Real Housewives of New York City [Bravo] - watch for coverage on BravoFan.com
• RuPaul’s Drag Race [Logo]
• Shark Taggers [NBC]
• Solitary 3 [FOX Reality] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• Southern Belles [SoapNet]
• Swords [NBC, summer]
• Toddlers and Tiaras [TLC]
• Tough Love [VH1] - I’ll Cover this on VH1RealityWorld.com
• Untitled Megan Houserman dating show - [VH1] - I’ll Cover this on VH1RealityWorld.com
• When Women Rule the World [FOX, future uncertain]

Keep coming back here for all the reality TV news!

The absolutely smoking hot co-host of Make Me a Supermodel, Tyson Beckford was caught by paparazzi lately when he was just hanging out in New York City. Yes, the man is one of the most successful male models ever, and this just shows that he can’t even take a bad picture!

[Photo: Justin Campbell/BuzzFoto.com]