अमेरिका'स टॉप नेक्स्ट टॉप मॉडल कोउल्ड बे शोर्ट!

“Short people got no reason to live.” That’s what singer Randy Newman once wrote — and the words still haunt this easily-wounded, height-challenged TV critic, who can only dunk in his dreams.

But screw Newman. Turns out that Tyra Banks likes short people — or short women, at least. It was announced this week that “America’s Next Top Model” is searching for women 5-foot-7 and under for its 13th cycle.

“There have been top supermodels in the past that weren’t as the industry demands — like fashion icon Kate Moss,” Banks said in a press release. “So we’re changing up ‘Top model’ for cycle 13 and making it a year for the shorter model!”

For the record, the typcical “Top Model” requirement in the past has been that candidates start at 5-foot-7.

If you’re short and think you have what it takes to be a “Top Model,” be aware that the show’s casting directors will be in San Francisco on March 3. The audition session will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Westin Hotel, 50 Third street.

So what do you “Top Model” fans think of the change? Will you miss those tall bean-poles of years past? Or do short people give you no reason to watch?

http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2009/02/24/top-model-welcomes-short-girls/