Twenty-two seasons of America’s Next Top Model is apparently enough for both Tyra Banks and The CW.
The series that brought us “Tyra mail,” “ugly-pretty” and “smizing” will end its run with the current Cycle 22. A tweet from executive producer and host Banks suggests it was a mutual decision between herself and the network.
“Thinking #ANTM22 should be our last cycle. I truly believe it’s time. May your pics be forever fierce. Keep on Smizing!” Banks tweeted on Wednesday, under the heading, “TYRA MAIL!”
ANTM premiered in May 2003 on UPN before moving to the CW upon UPN’s merge with The WB in 2006. The series finale will air on Dec. 4.
Perhaps the writing was on the wall in early August, when Banks spoke to the Television Critics Association about being wooed by ABC execs to co-host FABlife, a syndicated daytime panel show. At the time, she mentioned ANTM among her reasons for turning down the initial offer. Listen below:
“‘America’s Next Top Model’ was a successful franchise for two networks, first at UPN and then The CW, and it became not just a ratings hit, but a global pop culture phenomenon,” CW President Mark Pedowitz said in a statement. “I want to thank Tyra and Ken [Mok] for all their years of success in establishing a show that was not just popular in the U.S., but all across the world.”
The CW is in talks about broadcasting a retrospective special about ANTM that will air sometime in late 2016, according to EW.
Sure to make the montage will be the time that Tyra yelled at Tiffany. Watch above.
(Photo: PR Photos)
