America's Next Top Model, Discourse, Psychoanalysis, and Audiencing

By: Corin Harmon

America's Next Top Model (ANTM) is the popular television series that took the nation by storm in 2003. The show's premise is to create the next top supermodel, but it does more than that it also has an effect on society through discourse. The effects of discourse are important because they shape the opinions, beliefs, and actions of the viewer (Rose, 142). Thus it is important to look at who and what is shaping what the public is being shown through the screen. American culture is one where emphasis is placed on the patriarchal aspects. The role that the male gaze plays is an important one to this show and helps shape the ways women look and act in our culture. In addition to the methodology of psychoanalysis on ANTM, audiencing is also important. Through this practice, we can begin to critically examine the effects have on those who are exposed to it. Audiencing is, or audience studies, deals with the idea that images are objects that people interact and do things with. The combinations of these three methodologies in particular help shape the meaning of the show. This site aims to help unfold the complexities of the cultural phenomenon known as ANTM as it relates to the theories and practices of discourse, psychoanalysis, and audience studies.


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