Friday seems an odd day to start a new season of “America’s Next Top Model” (The CW, 8 p.m.), since it’s often the low-rated last stop for shows.
But that’s the new night for Tyra Banks’ ever-corny competition, the move being a harbinger perhaps of its fading fortunes and the faith in its biggest shakeup to date.
Gone are Nigel Barker, Jay Manuel and Miss Jay Alexander, the personalities who pretty much ran the show until Miss Banks showed up magically in “Tyra Mail” or judging segments.
In their place are “famed stylist” Johnny Wujek as photo shoot consultant. Plus they’ve added a social media correspondent for the first time in fashion blogger Bryanboy and a choreographer, with another single name, Jonte.
The judges table may be most crowded of all. Joining Banks, sour p.r. woman Kelly Cutrone and “former boxer and international male supermodel” Rob Evans (pictured) will be viewers themselves, who will vote online for best photo shoot each week.
It’s complicated, since most of the show was shot already. But through the voting supposedly some eliminated models can actually return.
The theme this season is college, with each of the 13 participants taking off a semester to follow their runway dream.
Another sign of trouble for “Top Model”? Its season premiere is only an hour, but followed by another rerun of “Nikita” (The CW, 9 p.m.).