Yes, I know. I haven't written in a very long time. But never fear, for Lessley is here. I just needed a post idea to come to me, and it of course came to me in an ordinary sort of place. I was in the waiting room at the optometrist, reading Time (what a splendid publication) when I came across their recent "Top 100 Most Influential People," or something to that effect. Well anyways, it was absolutely fascinating, and it was sorted into 5 groups: Artists and Entertainers, Leaders and Revolutionaries, Heroes and Pioneers, Scientists and Thinkers, and Builders and Titans. And Tyra Banks was listed as an influential Hero and/or Pioneer.Yes, I know, it sounds ridiculous. Kate Moss was listed somewhere in there too, which I totally disagree with, by the way. I also disagreed when I saw Tyra Banks as one of the most influential people of this entire year. I watch America's Next Top Model religiously, and while it is most certainly entertaining television, I wouldn't go as far as to say that it is quality, or influential. But after some thought, because it was bothering me, I realized that Time was right. Banks was in the tabloids for being "fat" (see picture) and for having plus size models on the show. They weren't very good models, but that's besides the point. Honestly, I think that reality television as a whole is underrated. We all talk about how horrible it is, and how stupid, and why do people watch other people competing for dumb things, but we all watch it. From American Idol to Survivor (the original, I believe), Amazing Race, The Biggest Loser, The Bachelor(ette), The Apprentice, Big Brother, Rock Star: Supernova, Road Rules, The Real World, Supernanny (that's what I'm talking about!), Wife Swap (now that is entertainment, no kidding)... the list goes on FOREVER. But, all have broken ground, caused national debates, made us stay home to see the winner, cost us money in text message votes, etc. America's Next Top Model made the modeling community, or whatever, begin to recognize that their models were, oh-em-gee, too skinny. I think that's commendable, right? Survivor, in one recent season, split their tribes according to race or nationality: black, white, Asian, and Hispanic. Next, they should do sexual orientation: straight, lesbian, gay, and transsexual. Now there's breaking ground.
