We really don't know what to make of the new Bravo reality/competition series Make Me a Super Model. At least not yet. As with all the Bravo competition shows, it features a group of contestants who go through a weekly challenge and have to face a panel of judges where one is declared that week's winner and another winds up being booted off. However, with MMASM, the judges don't vote off the loser. They nominate the three lowest on the totem pole and viewers vote online and via text message which of the three they want voted off.  That means that although the show is not shown live, it is very current and the contestants go through a long 12 week ordeal of competitions and living together. Oh yes, and there are two hosts---supermodels Niki Taylor and Tyson Beckford.

  In the first preview special we met the potential models (35 in all) who went through a series of preliminary tests and mini-comps before getting whittled down to 20. From there 6 guys and 6 girls were chosen to be on the show and compete for a modeling contract, 100K, etc etc. But the judges also chose 6 more models (3 guys/3 girls) who were put up online and the top vote getters would join the other models for a total of 14.  This whole elimination challenge special was semi-humiliating--cruel to those who had no business being there and humbling to those who thought they had a shot.

 In episode one the models move into their New York townhouse and we start to get to know more about them --something a little closer in tone to The Real World. Then they have two challenges and a few mini-challenges. A photo shoot that takes place in the bitter January cold of Time Square where the models have to wear spring/summer clothes and keep their composure.

                        
                                                                Perry & Ronnie keep their cool in the bitter cold

    A silly ritualistic burning of their clothes to symbolize their commitment to the competition (unintentionally funny). A meet and greet GQ-hosted party, then there's a runway show where the models have to wear the skimpiest of swimsuits and then face the judges. Oh yes and during this they get subjected to getting measured and physically evaluated daily--OUCH! We get a little idea of what the models are like, but one person makes a very strong impression--Tyson Beckford. He's a DICK! Egotistical, arrogant, non-supportive, and pretty much a shitheel when it comes to critiquing the models. Is there some way we can vote HIM off? He gives super models a bad name.

 Naturally our attention was focused on the guys but we were struck by the oddly shaped bodies and somewhat strange faces of the girls. Many were striking, few were beautiful and some looked like s whole new gender. Everyone seemed to love Jacki from the get go until the swimsuit competition when she let all that praise turn her into a primadonna. Shannon was the gutsiest but her "I'm a man in a girl's body" attitude was a little bizarre. The winner turned out to be pixie-haired Holly. We agreed that overall she made the best showing.

                 
                                              Swimsuit catwalk with ugly bling (from l to r Ben, Casey and Dominic)

 Now the guys. First, there's married guy and prison guard Ben. Not really our type and his shaved head and cop demeanor are a real buzz kill. Get the stick out of your ass dude. Southern guy Casey needs his har shorter nd to loosen up a little. And he needs to get to the gym and work on his legs-his swimsuit made his ass look flat and yet flabby. Dominic is the California boogie boarder who has the OC 'tude. Where's the laidback SoCal guy?  We think he's going to have to step it up if he wants to go on.

                                             
                                                                         More catwalk with Frankie and Jay

Then there's Miami dude Frankie. He seeems to be channeling Joey Lawrence from his Blossom days. He's well built, has already done modeling and has a very chipper personality. But Frankiy--only Fabio should be allowed long hair like that. Jay went under the radar for us.

                                   
                                                            Top cats on the walk Perry and Ronnie

Good-looking, but very littlethat came out personality-wise. LA waiter and athletic dude Perry is striking (he reminds us of Ben Patrick Johnson), seems like a cool guy, and has a nice bod although he needs some posture realignment. The highlight/lowlight for Perry was goofing around, breaking his foot, and powering through a runway show. Then there's Chicago stud Ronnie. He was a little off-putting in the preview but came across very well in the first show. Blond, killer smile and a happy, well-adjusted gay. HOT bod too. He may have to hold back his bubbly personality but we see him lasting. Oh yeah, and we're dying to know what porn star he unknowingly dated in Chicago. We have a clue but want confirmation. WE think it's someone who got a GayVN nomination this week. Anyone?  And in his online diary he mentions he has a thing for Ben. Hmm.

 At the end Sarah, Katy, Dominic are up on the block--their fate lying in the hands of viewers. So what does this season hold in store for us? Eating disorders? Guys coming out of the closet? Hanky-panky?  Well, we know one thing and that's that the competitions better get unique, quirky or fun. It would be a riot if Janice Dickinson came in as a judge!