It’s called Supermodel Me- Femme Fatale and I caught one episode in the series which is produced in Singapore- and Hong Kong- is shown on the Diva Channel and was surprised for a few reasons- the quality of the production, especially the editing, and the incredible similarity of the format to America’s Next Top Model franchise.
In this Singapore version, model Lisa S is, basically, Tyra Banks, but, mercifully, without any of that “smyze” bollocks and does a good job. She’s likable whereas Bankys drives me nuts.
Meanwhile, Kim Robinson, that Dorian Grey and Cliff Richard of Hong Kong hairdressers flits around looking nervously at the camera.
He’ll never change and nor will his love affair for publicity. But that’s what the women love about him.
E! News presenter Dom Lau is pitched as the voice of reason, Gordon Lam, business partner of Gilbert Yeung of dragon-i fame and head of some magazine called Prestige is on the the judging panel along with someone else I’ve never heard of.
As for the contestants, those left are one from China- the best in my opinion- Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, and, maybe, Hong Kong.
Can’t remember other than except for the contestant from China, they were all Eurasians and spoke perfect English.
They stay in one house or whatever, they have to take on various assignments, there is some bitchiness, a few catfights, the usual tantrums, tiaras and tears and, well, if you’ve ever watched any of those Next Top Model series, you’ve seen it all before.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCZ3RqlSQtQ
But from a production series and watching some familiar faces impersonating the regulars on the original version popping up, it’s good fun- for one episode.
Anything more and you’ll nod off as it’s simply not edgy- nor, well, original enough.
It’s just another Okay copy out of Asia and does nothing for creativity though far better to that howler of a “reality” series from a few years back also out of Singapore produced for Hewlett Packard.
We must be grateful for small mercies.