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Make It Stop

Tired of Tyra Banks

April 25, 2007

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“I ” and “me” are reoccurring words in Tyra Bank’s lexicon. In her new talk show, the aptly named “The Tyra Bank’s Show” – the former model successfully steers all of her interviews back to herself. This tactic is acceptable when she hosts former model friends like Cindy Crawford, Molly Sims, or Nikki Taylor whom she has something in common with, but when she talks about herself in reference to other guests -- like gay athletes, rappers, and sex addicts -- her self love becomes more obvious and cloying.

“Dear Tyra Banks: You cannot be the voice of your generation if all you do is talk about yourself, ” wrote New York magazine in their February 12 issue (they also listed her in the approval matrix as both “despicable” and “lowbrow.”) And that’s really the problem with her – she tries to be like Oprah, but falls flat.

It’s not that we don’t love “America’s Top Model.” In fact, watching ladies cry at the drop of a hat is the hallmark of good reality television. Let’s be clear about the problem, though. Good competition reality needs a mentor, and that mentor shouldn’t be in competition with the contestants.

In the reality-competition for aspiring models, Banks acts as a kind of hen mother to the fresh-faced girls.
The former cat walker seems sensitive to the competitor’s insecurities, doling out advice like “ don’t lose your neck,” but she always tries to relate their feelings back to her own experiences. Her wisdom would be tolerable if she didn’t overdo it, inserting her own name into every piece advice that she gives.

It almost appears that through the show -- she is fruitlessly trying to relive her days as a model, while appearing little more than a has-been. Although sporting a fuller figure is perfectly acceptable and even something to champion – Tyra spends an inordinate amount of time talking about the unflattering pictures of her that keep surfacing in the tabloids.

Comments

Julie wrote:

that post is right on! She is soooo annoying

posted at April 25, 2007 12:17 PM

Sannah Parker wrote:

I definitely agree. I have been seeing all of these things for so long. It is very irritating. However although it annoys me on ANTM, I believe that it is possible that the contestants may want to hear those flashbacks, but who knows. I believe that maybe Tyra thinks that by talking about herself on her talk show and on ANTM she is helping people to feel like they can relate to her. She may not be intentionally narcissistic. I'll give her the benefit of the doubt.

posted at April 29, 2007 11:06 AM

chu wrote:

tyra is a big narcissist.....shut her up plz

posted at May 5, 2007 01:16 AM

duh wrote:

Although i agree (though not a ground-breaking discovery, mind you), you need an editor. "reoccurring"? try again.

posted at May 7, 2007 08:40 PM

Jenne wrote:

I am so tired of the shows she does about girls having fun. She was making spring break out to be some evil moment for people to do. She probably is just jealous she didnt have that kind of fun when she was young. I am sorry but going to spring break and having fun is ok. She makes going out drinking for spring break some national tragedy.If she wants to do real shows do something other than what college kids do for fun.She just acts like she is better than anyone else.It really irrates me.

posted at May 7, 2007 09:05 PM

Husky Miller wrote:

It's really embarrassing how much she talks about herself. If you took a shot of grape juice everytime she says the words "I" or "me" on her talk show, you'd be drunk within 10 minutes.

posted at May 8, 2007 09:26 AM

Annie wrote:

I don't understand why someone using his or her life experience as a foundation for a talk show would be considered narcissistic. Especially, given the esteem level of many young women in this society. If Britany Spears, Nicole Richie, Young Hilton and a bevy of other people we don't know bombard our airwaves, why not Banks who has a lot to share. It's called SELF-WORTH...when one can share and speak highly of his or herself without fear of recriminations...if anything, she tries to tear down illusions of fame, wealth and celebrity so people can better appreciate themselves...you can't please everyone and what are you doing to make this world a better place?

posted at May 8, 2007 08:32 PM

Mary wrote:

AMEN!
I get so tired of her talking about herself!
I'd also like to know how someone gets drunk on grape juice. (?)

posted at May 10, 2007 12:28 AM

Siobhan wrote:

This seems like a pretty obvious piece of advice to me, but if you hate hearing her talk endlessly about herself, then STOP WATCHING!!! I am more tired of hearing people moan about shows they still watch endlessly than I am of hearing Tyra Banks talk about herself.

posted at May 14, 2007 01:03 PM

V wrote:

I could not agree more with your analysis written in this article. Tyra is feeling the pressure of trying to maintain the images that have been in the magazines for the last 20 years, but always gives others the "It's what's on the inside that matters" advice. Personally, I strongly believe the Tyra Banks Show is damaging her career, rather than enhancing an "Oprah" like image.

posted at May 15, 2007 05:51 PM

Jennifer wrote:

Tyra Banks is a confident woman. Maybe she can take some of the critisism's memtioned from other bloggers and build on it or tell everyone to kiss her $#?!. I for one, love Ms. Banks. I believe she does more positive than negative. What is wrong with having an opinion and showing that she is human. If you do not like her turn the channel.

posted at May 16, 2007 02:05 PM

Deal with it wrote:

Yes, Tyra is rather narcissistic. But if you were as hot as she is wouldn't you be? So she's no Oprah and she really needs to stop seeing drinking or such as such a horrible thing, but she's a happy person and she is trying to bring the same to others. Not a national hero, but at least she's trying. Give her a break.

posted at May 16, 2007 06:16 PM

Rose wrote:

I Love Tyra she is a strong beautiful woman .....however I can not stomach watching her she is all about tyty baby and some what very cold with her guest...She is acting all oprah like but have not earn that position...she talk at her guest and never to her guest... she must learn to talk with out making it all about her.

posted at May 16, 2007 08:02 PM

Sandi wrote:

At first I liked Tyra and gave her a chance because I like Oprah. It didn't take long before the I I I me me me started to wear thin, but Tyra was helping young girls with image disorders and social problems. Then, shortly after seeing a Tyra show on improving young girls' morale issues, Tyra was insensitive enough to air shows on partying, binge drinking, and food eating contests. Tyra, you're not a mentor for young girls to aspire to, you're an ill-advised and self-centered person who loves talking about yourself. Don't for a minute think that talk shows attract viewers that want to sit and listen to Tyra talk about Tyra. Try closing your mouth and opening your ears when your guests talk. You always look like you can't wait for them to stop talking so you can re-inject Tyra into the conversation. Your usual segway is "You're just like me.....blah, blah blah!" Your show is dying and your listeners are moving on to more interesting topics. That's too bad. This was a huge opportunity for you and you had so much potential. You blew it!

A grandmother
...and very concerned about young girls' mentors

Mimi

posted at May 17, 2007 07:17 PM

Lottsy wrote:

Trying to understand why Tyra is on the air is as moot and frustrating as figuring a way out of purchasing gas the next time you're at the pump; it's going to continue to kick you in the ass, you won't be able to go about it alone and, let's face it, it probably won't change anytime soon. In the meantime, I will continue to loathe her undeserved self-righteousness that apparently stemmed from the GRUELING task of posing in front of a camera for millions...but hey, she's had to put up with some "you'll never make it"'s and some other daunting life-altering rites of passage that qualify her for having the right to tell desperate girls that are wanting to be models that they shouldn't have an eating disorder or take their clothes off (neither of which I condone). One word...hypocrite.

posted at May 20, 2007 08:49 PM

sue wrote:

Tyra Rocks!
Haters.

posted at May 23, 2007 12:53 PM

lailalindy@msn.com wrote:

I think it is really self righteous and small minded of the author of this piece. None of us know Ms. Banks personally and so why the big concern. Please stop behaving like you are so perfect and therefore equipped to dish out your simplistic opinion on someone who does alot for young girls and women. She has a camp where girls can go each summer to learn to have a higher esteem of self. I love how because Oprah is Black and so is Tyra that she in essence must be trying her best to be like her. What proof do you have other than your shallow opinions and/or hearing some other small minded person say that. It is really tasteless and sad to see what america holds as importance. Please get your priorities in order and take a hard look at yourselves.

posted at May 23, 2007 01:24 PM

Spike wrote:

But we LOVE Thighra Banks and her hair. It took all the hair from all of the folks in the villiage to make a weave that ferocious. Y'all are just jellus!

posted at May 24, 2007 08:09 AM

Crystal wrote:

Yes, Tyra might talk about herself a bit much, but maybe she's just empathetic. Unfortunately, not enough people are these days. There's nothing wrong with trying on someone else's shoes. I do believe she would have a better response if she approached it differently however she's doing the best she can do. Isn't that what our mothers taught us anyway?? Try your best?? As for being a positive role model, I think she's wonderful. She has a high self-esteem, confidence, charisma, integrity, and list goes on. That's a lot more than many other people can say. Maybe before everyone starts bashing her, they should look into their own lives and work on their own problems.

posted at May 24, 2007 07:59 PM

Page wrote:

The negative responses mentioned in the previous comments that I've read from viewers are typical, but note, that even though they have nothing nice to say, they never-ever will deny themselves the opportunity to miss an episode. In reality, all of the haters are Tyra's biggest fans, otherwise, how will they know so much about her from her show to her work on America's Next Top Model. So what, she wants to be like Oprah, Oprah is a role model to the world! Who does not want to be like Oprah. Being in touch with the infermities of your guest, does not make you self-centered, it is called having compassion and being able to relate based on your own frame of reference. If Tyra reads any of this, I hope that she does not allow the negative comments to move her in any direction except forward. All of the gossip and negative comments are a clear indication of ones success!

Page - USA

posted at May 28, 2007 06:00 PM

J.T. wrote:

Sounds like sour grapes to me. Youre all jealous because Tyra is makeing more money then all of you haters put together. I hope she keeps talking about her good looking self. Im sure its probably more interesting than what you would say about yourself.

posted at May 30, 2007 06:36 PM

rinnie wrote:

I tried giving "I"-ra Banks a few more chances until i watched the Black History Week episode. You know, the one where she basically compared her being the first black woman to grace the cover of a men's magazine in a bikini to Rosa Parks taking a seat on the bus. This chick is clueless.

posted at May 31, 2007 10:33 AM

melissa wrote:

I think Tyra is a psycho. Seriously.

posted at June 2, 2007 10:02 AM

tahmina wrote:

tyra is mint as well as her shows are fantastic, especially ANTM. tyra is well talented and tries to bring out talents in others, all you people who hate her are just obviously jealous of her!

posted at June 4, 2007 03:40 AM

Jolinda wrote:

I loved reading all of your comments and found them funny. Personally, I find that you are accusing her of exactly what my schoolmates are currently accusing me of. I care about others and relate others experinces to my own as well and am accused of being narcissistic and an attention hog. I doubt Tyra is meaning to sound that way at all and is simply just misunderstood. Everything she has attempted so far, to me, has been for others benefit, and anyway, how else can you understand someone elses situation unless you compare it to one of your own(which is what I did above)? We all do it, so stop crying about her doing it out loud. - JB,17

posted at June 5, 2007 08:45 PM

Tiffany Mcknight wrote:

Tyra Banks is a good role model and she is trying to make a impact in others people lives. and as far as talking about her self alot on a personal level, it is not because she is all about herself is because she want the people to know that it is ok because I can relate because once someone knows that you been through something like what they went through it makes it more easy to talk. Unlike Paris Hilton,Lindsay LOhan and Nicole Richie she is not showing or teaching that KIND OF BEHAVIOR! Trya is WONDERFUL YOU GO GIRL!

posted at June 13, 2007 03:59 AM

janaye wrote:

Opera talks about herself and her $ all the time. Shes has run out of things to talk about on her show. Tyra has a complete diffrent story to TELL. She shares her experiences and reaches out to those younger girls age 12 up to 30's. Crazy how people can talk shit about Tyra as shes only trying to build self-esstem for these young girls. On her talk show site tyrashow.com emails keep rolling in from these girls. wheater you like or hate the woman, agree to disagee She a made change.Tyra is a woman with passion and vision to create change. Top model is a reality cheek for those girls as immuture as they all can be tears and fights, who ever said that modelling is a bunch of roses and joy? Tyra shows them this. Tyra was told to stand and look pretty for the camera and know one would want to hear a model talk about self-esstem... but she proved those people wrong because she is an idol to those girls. Tyra has talk show 'the tyra banks show' 'TZone' realtiy series 'top model' and here in Austrailia we have Austrailias next top model. She is her to stay.

posted at August 13, 2007 05:07 PM

blinky wrote:

as it is always said a prophet is not recognised in his country, i am from nigeria i watch her show tyra is a great woman that girls have to learn from,she is bold,confident in her self , good looking woman ,above all she is a good teacher ,in short u lovely

posted at September 6, 2007 09:26 AM

brian wrote:

I kinda like Tyra, but check this out. One of my friends (a Tyra fanatic) went to see a taping of her show in NY and after the show, this one lady called out her name wanting her to walk over to her section and grace them with her presents. And Tyra was like ..." what you think this is the Oprah show or something...please". Now my friend thinks she's just alright.

posted at September 9, 2007 11:55 AM

NELLIE wrote:

I never get tired of watching America's Next Top Model re played on MTV1.

It's quite entertaining and I love Tyra for sure!

posted at December 15, 2007 06:20 PM