'Top Model': The Winner by a Landslide

I was disappointed that we didn't get to see the mock-up Seventeen covers this cycle. Samantha looked liked she rocked her shoot. And understandably so: "Seventeen, baby, it's so me! I was like 17 three months ago!" she said. Maybe McKey had to reshoot her final cover, and that's why we didn't get to compare them? Moving on as quickly as the show did, we get to the final runway challenge. The girls modeled Addy van den Krommenacker gowns (which are much prettier than the name implies) on a Mr. Jay-designed catwalk that Samantha accurately described as "mountains of pink whimsical, magical Candyland."

The girls were nervous about said mountains of crazy, but Mr. Jay told them not to be. They had to run to get up them, Jay. Let the ladies, worry! My two favorite moments from the fashion show had nothing to do with actual modeling. The first was when Tyra told the girls it's okay to say you're nervous because saying it aloud will relax you — and Sam let out a soft, sweet, "I am nervous." It's refreshing to see someone that trusting in today's world, isn't it? The second moment was when Miss J made his entrance parading in front of a man whose head was inside a large balloon and the camera cut to Nigel looking legitimately frightened. (I don't know why it pleases my to see Nigel scared, but it does.)

The consensus on the girls' runway walks was that they both kinda blew. I concur. McKey said she was "basking in the glory of it," but she totally wasn't. The only difference between McKey and Sam was that McKey hid her nerves better. The tension in Sam's pout made her look fragile, while McKey's made her look snooty — perfect for a runway model. As Tyra, wearing her best dominatrix schoolmarm ensemble at the final judges' panel put it, "You didn't just serve dress, you served face." Bottom line: Sam's face read worry; McKey's read confidence (or, I'm better than you, I can't decide). She wins.

In the end, the show was, as it should be, all about Tyra. We were reminded how she cut Sam's hair and bam!, a model was born. ("The baby just said, Wah, Mommy, I am a model.") And we got to see her squeal when McKey picked her up, repeatedly. Mercifully, Tyra didn't pause long before she announced that McKey was America's Next Top Model — a surprise only to those who hadn't been listening when the judges and photographers said, "There's a model! There's a model!" throughout the season.

Do you agree with the judges' decision? Did you buy Sam's tears when she delivered her parting words about how she never saw herself as a "pretty girl" before? And where do you think our "linebackerish" final two and figure-skating second runner-up will end up? I can see McKey's face landing her real work. (Not sarcasm, for a change!) Sam, hmmm. She took some great photos, but I think she needs to bake a little more before she gets booked. And as for Analeigh, I'm with Paulina — the girl should be an actress. She's gorgeous but still very likeable. (After a Slamball story line on One Tree Hill, why not a figure skating one?)