They were once the hottest shows on television \u2013 gripping, sexy, hilarious, zeitgeisty. But for our writers, the likes of America\u2019s Next Top Model, House of Cards and The Office are now part of their viewing history they feel tainted by<\/p>\n
When I think of the summer holidays when I was a teenager, I think of watching America\u2019s Next Top Model for hours on end, critiquing each contestant with my sister. The makeover episode was always my favourite: girls sobbing as their hair was cropped short, or even shaved off. At the time, Tyra Banks seemed like a big sister, giving the contestants the tough love they\u2019d need to succeed in a ferociously competitive industry. Now I feel differently. I hadn\u2019t watched America\u2019s Next Top Model since I was young, but like many, I\u00a0recently watched Netflix\u2019s excellent series<\/a>, Reality Check: Inside America\u2019s Next Top Model. It was the strangest sensation, rewatching episodes I hadn\u2019t seen in more than two decades. At times I felt almost teleported back. How could I not find these scenes of models collapsing with hunger utterly abhorrent? I\u00a0wondered what influence watching a show that celebrated eating disorders had on my own brain. I think it had an impact. I think the residual taint of it is still there. I can\u2019t watch America\u2019s Next Top Model any more, nor do I want to. Ironically, it\u2019s all too ugly. Sirin Kale<\/em><\/p>\n
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