I've been watching Malaysian Dreamgirl for a time because originally, a girl I knew from college (ok...and didn't really like) apparently made it to the closed auditions.

Since she'd already made it onto Malaysia's Most Beautiful (was that what it's called again?) and left quite early I thought I'd get a few laughs from this. But all I got... was seriously sad. I guess since I'm a major fan of America's Next Top Model (ANTM for short, incidently it's MDG for Malaysian Dreamgirl...) I expected a little more. I watched ANTM progress from a, sort of, dinky show into an international dream.

That being said, every show has its pitfalls especially the first time. MDG just had horrible post-production. The format, the lighting, the process all seemed flawed and two-dimensional. Eih, guys, do some homework and research a lil before actually publishing online la... There are so many model shows out there and so many references but I guess these people very too cocky and wanted something (er....) unique.

I didn't like the way the auditions were carried out and I really didn't like the way they broke it to the contestants. One should NEVER critique others like that in front of potential contestants. It's degrading and demoralising to hear all that stuff and not even get in! Also, I've Googled this and seen some (woah) really nasty bashing, some of which I agree with but not all.

During the judging session, I felt that the judges had some clear favourites (this is something you never really see DURING auditions and in FRONT of the girls!) as their faces would reflect how they felt about certain girls. A certain judge's face would be quite black if a girl he/she didn't like walked in or it would be all smiley when someone he/she liked walked in. (I'm not naming names here!) I mean...WHAT?? It's already scary standing up there facing three people (American Idol much?) who will critique and harp on stuff that doesn't seem really relevant to me. But then again, I'm not an industry expert. Maybe the editing just makes the judges look really inconsistent. Hmmm....

The biggest thing I really didn't get were the prizes. If this is a modelling show...where is the prize that corresponds to that particular vocation/job? They get all sorts of stuff and supposedly "an experience of a lifetime" but somehow I think they should have placed either a booked session for the winner or something to boost their portfolio. *shrugs*

Either ways, they have a long long way to go and a lot of things to fix. If they only did it right, it does have *some* potential. I agree with some other people that Malaysia is pretty famous for adapting and pariah-ing some famous shows but it's all part of a franchise I guess. Work on it la...maybe it'll get better with time!!

Oh...and I've just caught the 3rd episode (or 1/2 the third ep?) and I realized that Malaysian hair technology is really not as advanced as the Americans. On ANTM, they can give a girl longer hair via a hair weave and they actually cite refs from famous industry people when they give makeovers. Here the girls get wierd funky cuts that don't really seem all that versatile to me. There was this girl with hair cut short and red highlights...how in the world is that supposed to be high fashion? Even commercial fashion does not showcase girls with that kind of hair!

Well, like I said, I'm no expert.


But in any case, the girl I knew didn't make it in (LOLZ!!) and I'm kinda looking wondering whether or not to continue watching. Oh well.

If ANTM would release box sets, I'd be so happy I'd sapu the 9 Cycles they already have. (Cycle 10 is running now)