Our ‘Model’ citizen gets on TV show

Is anyone else tired?

For the past week I have found myself up at 3 a.m. every morning watching swimming and gymnastics.

When times are tough we seem to hunger for a diversion. The Olympics are always special, whether the economy is in the tank or on the high bar. The athletes give us a reason to cheer; they entertain us with their talents.

But now that we have been treated to the best the world has to offer, what are we to watch once the final medals have been handed out and the last anthem has been played?

Apparently Tyra Banks wants your attention.

The host of “America’s Top Model” will kick off the next season of her reality show on Sept. 3.

True, watching 14 thin people vie for a chance to win a $100,000 modeling contract may not be quite the same as watching Michael Phelps collect enough gold to become the greatest Olympian in history.

But don’t scoff.

Fashion is hot.

And … we have a reason to cheer.

One of the participants who will be attempting to master the runway in an accelerated modeling boot camp – or is that stiletto camp? – is a local.

Although she now lists her occupation as a senior at Radford University, Lauren Brie Harding is from Charlottesville.

In fact, the former Monticello High School student is the daughter of Albemarle County Sheriff Chip Harding.

She will be competing against nine other students, an unemployed 19-year-old, a non-profit program assistant from Maryland, a customer service specialist from Nevada and a go-go dancer from Hawaii. All 14 will live together, as reality shows like to create a little drama, while they are tested each week on their attempts to deal with the likes of photo shoots and publicity encounters.

Monticello principal Billy Haun said he remembered Harding as a “very active student.” She played basketball and was part of the student leadership program.

She may have a little insight about what’s in store. Harding did some modeling during her senior year. She also has taken several photography, career and technical education class that may prepare her for life with Tyra.

The winner may not make it onto a box of Wheaties, but she will get a six-page spread in Seventeen magazine.

“America’s Top Model” airs 8 p.m. Wednesdays on the CW.

Go, Lauren Brie, go.

Speaking of things

to watch

Actually, the Arc of the Piedmont is hoping that we won’t be watching a new movie that is showing in town.

“Tropic Thunder” features Ben Stiller as “Simple Jack,” a person with an intellectual disability. According to the local agency,  Jack Simple is repeatedly referred to as a “retard,” a “moron” and an “imbecile.”

“We are urging the general public to not spend their hard- earned dollars on this film because of its deplorable and demeaning view of a person with an intellectual disability,” Dennis Pancoe, director of advocacy for the Arc of the Piedmont, said in a press release. “This is an opportunity to educate our neighbors about the rights of people with disabilities … most importantly that they live with the same dignity afforded every American.”

The local group is joining forces with the Arc of Virginia and the Arc of the United States in trying to get people to boycott the comedy. They also hope to “establish a presence” at the theaters where the film is being shown.

“It is not cool to say the word ‘retard’,” said T. Lee Covington, executive director of Arc of the Piedmont. “The ‘R-word’ is very offensive to people with intellectual disabilities. At the Arc, we engage with people with intellectual disabilities every day, and the mutual respect we share with them is honest, appropriate and reciprocated.

“This is an educational opportunity for DreamWorks and for all of Hollywood.”

“Tropic Thunder” is at Carmike.