Tyra Banks announced late Thursday evening that, after sixteen cycles of taking unknown models and turning them into slightly-more-known models, she's ready to move on to her next competitive reality series, and she's turning her search over to the masses on her brand new competitive reality series: America's Next Top America's Next Top.

"This is the perfect opportunity for me to tap into my fan base's interests, to find out which sector of everyday Americans they'd most like to see embarrass themselves for the next decade or so," said Banks at the press conference held for a select group of reporters at her private residence.

"It's been my long-term goal to expand the America's Next Top brand to all walks of life, from America's Next Top Homeless Person to America's Next Top Supreme Court Justice, but I wasn't sure where to go with it next," said Banks. "Now my lack of ideas has become its own idea, because we're turning my search for a new show into my newest show."

The reporters stood on a double-tiered stage approximately 40 feet away from Ms. Banks, who was positioned on the other side of a glowing glass runway suspended over what one reporter described as "a small lake of fire" in the middle of what appeared to be her "foyer."

When asked what sorts of contestants she would consider for the new series, Banks revealed that she had already selected the 14 competitors who would compete to decide whose idea held the most merit as a potential competition in which competitors would compete regarding their own merit in association with a particular task.

"We've got everything from America's Next Top Muffin Top, for plus-sized models who don't know they're plus-sized, to America's Next Top Model Maker, for people who build those little toy airplanes and trains," said Banks. "But they're not all about models. We're also very excited about an idea for America's Next Top American Top, about judging people's patriotic shirts and blouses. Really, the sky's the limit. If I can make the contestants cry, the idea's on the table."

Banks revealed that her 14 finalists would be put through weekly challenges to critique their ideas on everything from creativity, to uniqueness, to marketability, to the potential for endorsement tie-ins and international spin-offs. The winner will see his or her idea put into action, as well as act as a guest judge on the new series and sign a $100,000 contract with Cover Girl Cosmetics. "Unless they're ugly," a Cover Girl spokesperson noted. "That's in the contract."

As usual, Ms. Banks is leading by example, having already signed deals with multiple overseas networks to export America's Next Top America's Next Top, which is set to begin airing this summer in the States.

"We're taking the act of brainstorming, and we're expanding, escalating and elevating it to a whole new level. Where we can torture it in extreme circumstances, give it completely unrealistic expectations, and build it up and break it down until it cracks," said Banks, with what one reporter noted was an "admittedly beautiful, but terrifying" gleam in her eye.

"We're also planning a special makeover episode," Banks concluded as the reporters were called by name and ushered individually out the door, adding, "Bread and butter, y'all. Bread and butter."

UPDATE: Happy April Fools' Day!

[Source]