America's Next Top Model is one of the most popular reality/competition show on the air, and its success has spawned at least twenty versions around the world, from China to Finland to Spain. Are any of them up to the high standards set by the original? Well, most of them don't air in the US, so there's no real way to say, and cultural differences probably interfere with any actual comparison.  

The CW aired a few summaries of Britain's Next Top Model, called Top Model: British Invasion, but the whole series itself has only aired on Britain's LivingTV. Unlike America's Next Top Model, the British version has not had the same host since it started; Lisa Snowdon replaced Lisa Butcher after one season.

In its third season down under, Australia's Next Top Model has started airing its first season in the US on VH1 on Monday nights.  Some critics have called it "bland" compared to the American original, but most agree that it's pretty much the same show, right down to the same lines said by the hosts. However, host Erika Heynatz is no Tyra Banks, and if you're watching the Australian version's first season, don't get too attached to her; Jodhi Meares replaces Heynatz after two cycles.

Canada's Next Top Model had Battlestar Galactica's ex-model Tricia Helfer as host in cycle one, but she left to concentrate on her acting. (I'm starting to see a pattern here.) Will new host Jay Manuel bring it to cycle two? I think he's at least got a fighting chance. After all, he's got the experience and connection with his continuing role in Tyra's original version of Top Model.

So, is it Tyra herself that makes America's Top Model such a success? While most hosts of the international versions are also former models, Tyra certainly does seem to have an extra flair for drama, and doesn't go a week without putting herself back in the news spotlight for one reason or another.

On her top-rated talk show The Tyra Banks Show this week, she briefly pretended to be pregnant (wearing a baby bump "suit") as a promotion for a show about trendy baby gifts, shocking her audience.

-Mel, BuddyTV Staff Columnist

Sources: Slate, IMDB, Contactmusic.com
Photo courtesy of The CW