The Agency - Reality TV show about the Wilhelmina Modeling Agency

[Avant Garde]

Premieres Feb 20th 2007 at 10 p.m. EST

homepage: http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/the_agency/series.jhtml

video preview:

Call it the Wilhel-meanie 'Agency' on VH1

Marisa Guthrie
New York Daily News
Feb. 2, 2007 12:00 AM


Think "American Idol" judges who disembowel aspiring singers are bad?

One look at "The Agency" - VH1's upcoming reality show about Wilhelmina Models - will make you thank your lucky stars that you're so average, or frumpy, that you'll never get anywhere near this nasty business.

In the opening of the show, which premieres Feb. 20 at 10 p.m. EST, a tattooed agent who calls himself Pink shoots down one hopeful after another: "Too old. Too short. Too big. You're barking up the wrong tree."

And this: "There's nothing I can do with you. Your face is asymmetrical. Your eyes are too close together and your nose is off on an angle like this," he says, making an upward slashing motion with his hand. "You want me to keep going?"

But the most sadistic agent by far is Becky Southwick, a Brit with a tongue so sharp she makes Simon Cowell look like Glinda the Good Witch of Reality Television. She dubs a young model named Chloe "Doughy Chloe."


"There are certain elements within this industry which encourage that," he says.

And while he characterizes Southwick as a bad apple, he says people should be aware of the behind-the-scenes ugliness inherent in the beauty business.

"The modeling industry is not necessarily easy," he says. "It can be an emotional and psychological drain. I think the show will be a wakeup call that A) not everyone can be a model and B) of the harshness that goes on in this business."


"But it needs to be done in a careful and caring way," he says.

Not the way it is done on the show. But watching the rough cuts as the show was in production (September 2005 to June 2006) was instructive precisely because it was so revealing.

"There were moments," he says, "when I sat back and I was actually shocked."

http://www.azcentral.com/ent/tv/articles/0202theagency0202.html

 

[xmodel citizen]

I've seen the previews and I was shocked. I've never heard anyone say anything about agents being so nasty at open calls. From what I understood, they tell girls they don't like, "No thank you", not "You're short, old and ugly".

 

[SandraJH]

I've seen the previews and I was shocked. I've never heard anyone say anything about agents being so nasty at open calls. From what I understood, they tell girls they don't like, "No thank you", not "You're short, old and ugly".

I have never been to an open call where they tell a girl whats 'wrong' with her, unless she asks. They say something along the lines of 'no thanks' or 'you're not right for us'

 

[Hana_N]

I've already seen this show, it aired in Denmark december/january I think.
It's pretty entertaining and they're not that mean.

 

[notmanons]

is this what they r rele like?

 

[kanita]

Somehow models and tv don't mingle, in my opinion.

 

[Trista]

I so cannot wait for this...

 

[KhaoticKharma]

Well didn't Warhol call it... everyone is getting their fifteen minuets of fame.

 

[sogangsta]

lol i saw the preview for this yesterday
hope it turns out as entertaining as it seems!

 

[novella]

If you have an iPod and/or iTunes, the pilot episode of The Agency is free to download. I haven't watched it yet, but it does look promising.

 

[Li Ya Fan]

Why would Wilhelmina want to do this? They must know how reality TV shows are always edited... drama, drama, drama. Even if the preview is showing worst juicy parts its a given this show will make them look bad.

 

[xmodel citizen]

^ Yeah, I've already lost respect for the agency basd on the previews. I've never heard anything about agents talking to girls like that at open calls. Even if they were doing it for "drama" they shouldn't change their policy to add some juice to their lame reality show

 

[model_mom]

[02.13.07 - 03:38 PM]
TOP MODELS ARE PERFECTION. SOMETIMES THE INDUSTRY CAN BE ANYTHING BUT.
Released by VH1[NOTE: The following article is a press release issued by the aforementioned network and/or company. Any errors, typos, etc. are attributed to the original author. The release is reproduced solely for the dissemination of the enclosed information.]
Top Models Are Perfection. Sometimes The Industry Can Be Anything But.
VH1 Goes Inside The Wilhelmina Modeling Agency To Reveal The Pressure Behind The Posing Premiering Tuesday, February 20 At 10:00 PM* Catch the first episode of 'The Agency' on VSPOT, VH1's broadband channel (http://vspot.vh1.com) beginning Wednesday, February 14
NEW YORK, Feb. 13 -- Infiltrating the modeling industry like no other television series has, "The Agency" takes a stark look at the men and women who search for, mold, scold and comfort raw, young beauties -- all in an effort to groom the world's most marketable people. The series is not just about glamour. It's about the harsh realities of a business in which millions of dollars are at stake daily, and the competition for landing high-end models and campaigns can lead to both euphoric victories and bitter defeats.
Taking a rare look at client meetings, casting calls, and backstage at fashion shows, "The Agency" casts an unblinking eye on the super-high-stress jobs of the people who are completely hooked on the business of brokering beauty. It explores the complex, up-and-down relationships between the agents and their models -- who are sometimes nave, insecure, vulnerable women and men who must be parented and then delivered on time and looking fabulous to demanding clients.
Catch the first episode of the "The Agency" on VSPOT, VH1's broadband channel (http://vspot.vh1.com) beginning Wednesday, February 14, one week before the on-air launch of the show. Subsequent episodes will be available on VSPOT each Saturday following the show's Tuesday night premiere on VH1.
Additionally, the premiere episode of "The Agency" will be offered as a free download on the iTunes Store (http://www.itunes.com) beginning Tuesday, February 13. The rest of the season will be available for purchase and download on iTunes for $1.99 per episode the day following each week's on-air broadcast.
* All Times ET/PT
In conjunction with the premiere of "The Agency," VH1.com is launching a "Win a Day in the Life of a Model" contest. From February 12 - April 30 visit http://win.vh1.com for your chance to win a 3 day-2 night trip to New York City for a consultation and $1,000 shopping trip with a Style.com stylist, a Wilhelmina agency walk-through and photo opportunity with models and the show's cast, and a night out on the town for dinner and drinks at the hot New York nightclub Nikki Beach Midtown.
"The Agency" is produced by Wilhelmina Productions, Left/Right, Inc., GRB and VH1. Sean Patterson and Corey Preston are executive producers for Wilhelmina; Banks Tarver And Ken Druckerman serve as executive producers for Left/Right, Inc. and Gary Benz is executive producer for GRB. Michael Hirschorn, Shelly Tatro, Danielle Gelfand are executive producers for VH1.
For more information on this show, please log on to http://www.VH1.com. VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 90 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital services including VH1 Classic, VH1 Soul and VSPOT, VH1's broadband channel. Connect with VH1 at http://www.VH1.com.
Wilhelmina is one of the largest model agency chains in the world, founded by legendary model, Wilhelmina Cooper in 1967. Today, they lead the industry in diversity and depth, and represent some of the biggest models, and celebrity talent in the world. Sean Patterson is the President of Wilhelmina Models. Dieter Esch is Chairman. They have offices in New York, Los Angeles and Miami as well as licensees across the U.S.
Left/Right is a leading provider of documentary and reality television programming. Our manifesto is to create unscripted television and film projects which illuminate the drama and comedy of real life: we tell stories that are both honest and startling, revealing and entertaining, dramatic and cinematic. Our clients include many of the most popular television networks, such as VH1, Showtime, A&E, Bravo, TV Land, Court TV and many others. Banks Tarver and Ken Druckerman are the co-founders and co-presidents of the company, which is based in New York City. SOURCE VH1
http://www.vh1.com http://vspot.vh1.com http://win.vh1.com http://www.itunes.com

 

[Jacque Marcel]

I saw the preview and it looks entertaining. It would have been better with an agency with a stronger women's board.

 

[youarearockstar]

I don't know, I actually enjoy the fact that they don't have a strong women's board. It gives the series something towards which to work. Otherwise, we would have seen an agency that only delt with success, whereas turmoil is far better for ratings!

I watched the first episode on iTunes and was addicted. Its so deliciously trashy, and Becky sold me! Absolutely bloody awful/wonderful to watch her get on her rants. COACD seems to like it (and Becky) as well:

You can go years with just talking to agents on the phone and never put a face to the voice. Well that wont be the case for anyone at Wilhelmina Models who over the summer have been brewing some must see reality TV called "The Agency". With the clips that have been released we can expect a dark side not seen on ANTM & 8th & Ocean. But it does have all that Bravo flair for good TV. Hot man pieces, c*nty agents and crazies is the cast dish at "The Agency". Will most likely be fashion peoples new favorite guilty pleasure, which airs February 20th on VH1. Trust we cant get enough of crazed b*tch Becky Southwick, a STAR in the making. It takes guts to put your reputation on the line, but when the formula works its solid gold. And it gets so golden when tonight is the exclusive screening at Splash. LOVES THAT!

 

[Jacque Marcel]

I don't know, I actually enjoy the fact that they don't have a strong women's board. It gives the series something towards which to work. Otherwise, we would have seen an agency that only delt with success, whereas turmoil is far better for ratings!

I watched the first episode on iTunes and was addicted. Its so deliciously trashy, and Becky sold me! Absolutely bloody awful/wonderful to watch her get on her rants. COACD seems to like it (and Becky) as well:

That's true, I guess I never thought of the drama and "plot" aspects of a weak women's board. Can't wait for it to start.

 

[saturnine]

This series aired a couple of months ago here in Australia. The bookers seem loud, catty and abrasive, and I would have thought Wilhelmina were doing themselves a major disservice to represent themselves this way on television.

 

[Terrima183]

I went in there recently to meet with some people about some things...I know, I'm being so shady...hehehe but they seemed REALLy nice. Maybe they're back-peddling because of the bad exposure or maybe the producers cut around the nice bits...

Let's just say Becky was no where in site...

 

[city girl]

it aired here a few months ago..i highly recommend it
it was my favourite show to watch
becky is very jaded..
it made me want to work in a modelling agency even more

 

[teleyes]

well it premires tonight on VH1 so i am anxious to see it
Although from the previous it seems like a mess... which is amazing for me because i live for the drama