America's Next Top Model

I know, you must think I'm crazy, but I love America's Next Top Model. My husband thinks I'm insane, so I have no doubts that most of the rest of the universe will think that way, too. I just can't help myself. Quick, name the winners of the first 9 season: Adrianne, Yoanna, Eva, Naima, Nicole, Danielle, Caridee, Jaslene, Salisha. Who was runner up in each cycle? Cycle 1 - I didn't watch. Cycle 2 was Mercedes; cycle 3 was Yaya; cycle 4 was Kahlen; cycle 5 was Nic; cycle 6 was Joanie; cycle 7 was Melrose; cycle 8 was Natasha; cycle 9 was Chantal. (OK - I admit it - I had to go to Wiki to check all of the names of the runners-ups). But this I know - where did they go in each cycle? Cycle 1 - Paris; cycle 2 Milan; cycle 3 Tokyo; cycle 4 Cape Town, South Africa; cycle 5 London; cycle 6 Thailand; cycle 7 Barcelona; cycle 8 Sydney; cycle 9 Bejing.

I have to say that I definitely have a few favorite cycles. Cycles 2, 5, 6 and 7 are my favorites. Cycle 9 didn't really impress me and cycle 8 wasn't that much better.

Of the models, winners or not, the ones I liked the best and stuck out the most for me were Yoanna, Mercedes, April and Shandi from cycle 2 (loved the shoot at the lake when just the four of them were left); Catie from cycle 2 because she is from a town 15 minutes from where I live and the reason I started watching ANTM; Ann and Eva from cycle 3 - a funny friendship; Yaya from cycle 3 was so poised; Kahlen from cycle 4; I loved Kim from cycle 5 and Lisa was a hoot; cycle 5 also produced Nicole who is from Minnesota and went to college at the University 45 miles away from where I live; cycle 5 was also my favorite city - London; I love Joanie from cycle 6 and think she should have won; cycle 7 produced Caridee who is from North Dakota (go MidWest girls!); cycle 7 I liked the twins - Amanda and Michelle and I liked Melrose (even though everyone in the house hated her) and I felt bad for Brook who was eliminated on the evening of her high school graduation; cycle 8 had Natasha who kind of wierded me out with her phonecalls to her husband, but was otherwise very sweet; and cycle 9 introduced us to Heather who I love.

Best villain overall? My call is Jade from cycle 6 (what an arrogant, self-righteous piece of **** - 'my look is in another realm', 'they mistook my confidence for arrogance' - whatever you wanna believe freak). Camille from cycle 2 is a close second - an unbelievable piece of work.

Best Top Model? I haven't followed their careers, so truly I don't know who is doing what where, but I think Yoanna may be the best - her eyes and her face - unforgettable and simply astonishing.

As far as the judges go, I love Nigel. Tyra is actually OK despite the funny clothes and looks she sometimes sports. Miss J - like him, too. I love Twiggy and am sad to see her go (the jury's still out on her replacement, Paulina). I really like Jay Manuel. HATED Janice Dickenson - there's righteous and in-your-face and confident, but she is just plain rude. Glad she's gone!