Dragons and Lions, Oh My: Heather Kicked Off of "Top Model"

A day later and I am still bummed that Heather was booted from America's Next Top Model.

I was really hoping that Asperger's Syndrome-sufferer Heather would at least make it to the final two. I mean who else gets voted the Cover Girl Model of the Week every single week she's been on the reality competition series?

I do think that Heather takes some of the very best photos we've seen this season on Top Model... when she doesn't second guess herself. The dragon photo shoot this week presented its own complications, what with having to stand out amid the color and chaos going on around, but Heather managed to do just that even as she kept slipping out of masterful poses. Despite her inability to hold her own glorious poses this week, she has this amazing ability to be captured by the camera as though she is living in the moment. No overly forced "model" poses, no slutty movements. Instead, each of her photos offers an intense gaze, a slickly high fashion look, and a stunning face that screams out for model representation.

Like a good mannequin, she takes direction easily, even if her awkward runway walk needs massive work. I ultimately think that, with some more instruction and a little bit of help, she could be a very successful print model. I do understand that the lack of eye contact for which Heather was called out this week by the Chinese guest judge is a symptom of her condition and I think it can be worked around more by focusing on print rather than runway.

It was absolutely depressing to see Heather aimlessly wandering around the streets of Shanghai during the go-sees; without anyone to help her or point her in the right direction, Heather could only get it together to make it to one designer and still made it back to the agency over 40 minutes late. My heart absolutely broke watching her struggling to find her cab, knowing that she would likely be eliminated this week, yet she still turned out another absolutely stunning photograph.

Four girls remain and I have to say that none of them are as interesting, charismatic, or compelling as Heather and I wish her the very best of luck. Hopefully we'll see her again in a fashion editorial... or--dare I wish it--on an all-star edition of Top Model?

Next week on America's Next Top Model ("The Girls Go to the Great Wall"), the girls get a Chinese history lesson from J. Alexander and soon-to-be-gone Twiggy while they move into their new home in Beijing; later, they face a challenge in which they must transform some traditional Chinese garb into their own inimitable style, one girl gives another bad advice, and they participate in a warrior-themed photo shoot at the Great Wall.

What's On Tonight

8 pm: Ghost Whisperer (CBS); Deal or No Deal (NBC); Friday Night SmackDown (CW; 8-10 pm); Men in Trees (ABC); Next Great American Band (FOX)

9 pm: Moonlight (CBS); Friday Night Lights (NBC); Women's Murder Club (ABC); Don't Forget the Lyrics (FOX)

10 pm: NUMB3RS (CBS); Las Vegas (NBC); 20/20 (ABC)

What I'll Be Watching

8-11 pm: BBC America.

If you happen to be staying in after a long work week, why not do it in true Anglophile style with back-to-back episodes of The Office, Coupling, Catherine Tate Show, and Mighty Boosh?