ATRL's Next Top Member Cycle 13 | EP11: Judges Comments!
EPISODE 11: TRIALS & TESTIMONIES
THE COMMENTS
CITRUS says...
Quote:
Superpower
Trials: Your A Bomb part was well-justified. Your one for Jake was interesting because saying "...He's the only one who has branched out to other ATRL sections and bases" is the best argument you could've possibly given him. It overshadows a lot of points the other three of you could make for yourselves. Your Sub section was a bit much, in my opinion. It seems hypocritical of you to commend Bomb for "standing up to the judges" then criticize another competitor for doing the same thing (and yes, Bomb did it directly in response to criticism). You just seemed a lot angrier than I've seen you before.
Testimonials: The satellites one was a huge grab; too bad he didn't write you a good one. Fairly forgettable and devoid of any real reasoning for you to win. Buddy's testimonial was accurate (I for one, didn't see you making it this far) and powerful, slay Buddy. Scene gave a wonderful Miss America-type speech for you, but it didn't connect a whole lot. Overall, pretty good caliber of members you chose and they did a mostly good job.
Subomie
Trials: These are fun and don't take things too seriously. Like, you came for your competitors but it didn't feel too vicious (which is more than can be said for how they approached you, look @ you being the nice one for once). Your one on Superpower was accurate-ish, but I don't think he's really a mini iHype. And the classic "they aren't ready" argument you tried on Jake is too Ginger and Kennedy. Weak. Bomb's makes sense.
Testimonials: This is where you lost me. It does stick out a little more that you only got 2 testimonials, especially when neither of them was particularly strong. I don't think Chanel was a good member for you to choose. Not because of her messy past or status, because she's certainly well known. But I think it's a bit of a conflict of interest to ask someone that you're judging in another game to vouch for you. It puts Chanel in a weird position and makes me doubt the sincerity of some of her words. Lovesong is a member I admire a lot, and his testimony is very understated. I came away from it thinking "He said Subomie is fun to talk to" and I can't decide if that's strong enough or not.
A Bomb
Trials: These were comparatively and refreshingly short. You just sorta gave each of them a sentence about why you don't think they should win, and it's amazing how you all used the same points about each other but everyone else made them into essays and you come in with this short ass thing. Loved it.
Testimonials: Getting three past winners (and relevant ones, at that) is impressive. Kitt's testimony is very Kitt, and I find it interesting that she makes the distinction that she's backing you for the Top 3 but not necessarily the crown. That Pokemonster vote-splitting runs deep I guess. DOMINO's was the one I was most interested to read since he legitimately quit the game and then ended up winning, but it was standard. His talk about ANTM being for unknown diamonds in the rough isn't true, in my opinion. Veteran members are and have been fantastic contenders (#Justice4Dancehall). Edge's testimonial shows two things: 1, why Edge won his season, and 2, that this is the best testimonial of this round. He outlines a better case for you winning than I think even you could, and that's not shade to you. You should thank Edge profusely (he likes nudes and cheap liquor), because he pretty much cemented your win for this challenge.
JakeKills
Trials: Superpower one was fine, nothing to really critique there. Your Sub paragraph was articulate and made a lot of sense; it showed the thoughtfulness that us judges (are supposed to) show. Your Bomb paragraph was fair enough. Some of the best trials of the top 4.
Testimonials: I like that you used Prismatic for one of these, he's such a great member. He gave a good argument for you, and I was rooting for you during that one. Your Vespertine endorsement isn't surprising since you kiss the ground he walks on, and he delivered. It did amuse me that he's still so bothered by my #SassyWhiteGay personality (slay the art thesis tho, that’s legitimately cool). Personal stuff aside, he truly gave you a memorable endorsement. I wish it was a little less jokey in certain parts since it sort of meandered away from concrete reasons to support you, but this was better than most. Remmy is a good choice and his testimonial is nice in that it has cute little headings. I'm not gonna go over each one, but I agreed with pretty much all of them. Very nice job.
SUPASPAZ says...
Quote:
Superpower
Cute entry this week with the fake magazine layout. Unfortunately, I think the challenge hurt you more than it helped. Your competitors really zeroed in on a fatal flaw that has planted a seed of doubt in my mind: Do you have the personality to make the most of the Top Member title? (We could certainly use a winner who makes it mean something outside of the games section again.) Undoubtedly, your run this cycle has been impressive. But despite the support from Satellites—for me, easily the most significant endorsement of anyone this challenge—your testimonials didn’t convince me that you have as much to offer elsewhere on the forum. So you will deservedly make the ANTM finale. Do you have what it takes to clinch victory, though?
Subomie
You seem to have the opposite problem from Superpower: a huge persona, lacking in his discipline. Your contributions to ATRL excite me, but I’m no longer convinced that you would take advantage of the momentum of a victory. And that dynamic is captured in your entry this week, which was easily the most fun to read…but stood out for only having two testimonials. Where once you were a frontrunner, naming you ATRL’s Next Top Member now feels like a risk. Would you be another Citrus, never expanding beyond niche appeal?
A Bomb
No one benefitted from this challenge more than you. After your recent meltdown, you really needed to reassert your place within this competition, and your entry certainly does that. I can’t say I’m as starstruck by your testimonials as others (I had to remember who one of them is), but getting three former winners of this tournament to vouch for you made a strong statement. Your big persona does seem like something that would appeal to the forum’s movers and shakers. However, the personal drama still sticks out to me more than anything else you’ve done this cycle. If you make the finale, I’m curious how you will convince us that you are most deserving of the title.
JakeKills
Your competitors don’t seem to have a lot of faith in your Top Member potential, and they made some good points. The lack of challenge wins aside—you were robbed last week by iHype. a technicality, so I don’t put much stock in that—you haven’t lived up to my expectations. Coming in already with a more prominent position on the forum than almost any other contestant this cycle, I definitely saw you as a frontrunner, but you haven’t shown much else to you besides the Taylor Swift stan that we already knew. Outside of this tournament, I have no doubt that you will continue to rise as you have, and your testimonials touch on why; you take full advantage of ATRL. Does that a merit a win, though?
UMICH says...
Quote:
Superpower
You presentation on the top and bottom players was excellent to me. I love how you were able to give constructive criticism where it was necessary without subliminally attacking anyone. Also, your testimonial picks were great. I admire that you sought out a veteran member and mixed those in with people who are newer to the site, so you gave us a holistic approach of opinions to work from. They all had interesting things to say about you, an you can tell that they spent time putting words into what they wanted to say vs. making up a quick few words to satisfy you.
Subomie
I like the way your top-bottom choices were presented, but it just seemed sorta condescending in a way. C/H/A/N/E/L’s testimonial spent more time talking about your ANTM journey vs. your time outside of this competition, which is great, but it would have been nice to hear things besides “iconic.” loveskng’s testimonial seemed a bit more connected to supporting your reasonings, even though it was a bit brief.
A Bomb
You’ve definitely echoed some of the things the judges have talked about behind the scenes with some of the contestants that you mentioned, so it’s interesting to see that it’s more than us who are seeing it. Your three testimonial entries had nothing but well-rounded things to say regarding you. Edge’s comment, Top Members often stumble. We are not without our faults and “sometimes falling flat on your face” is what being an ATRL member is all about,” is very true. There’s always going to be room for growth and learning.
JakeKills
I think you kept it somewhat cute in your trials section; but you did give a bit of truth regarding one member. I think it’s good that you showed us things that judges have already thought of. As for your testimonials section, I think this helped you out a bit. For me, I know you very well outside of ANTM, but I feel like some of the people and judges don’t know your impact around here so far. Remmy, a very well-known top member, hit home for you and exposed your strengths. I’m happy that you selected his testimonial.
CUPID says...
Quote:
Superpower
Lol that magazine is so cute. You bring up some good points in the most/least, some of it I agree with. Onto the testimonies, satellites was a good and inspired choice, but his paragraph basically said nothing. It's like when you book a huge name for a cameo role and they walk in deliver a line and leave, kind of a waste. Buddy and Scene really sold it to me. This just goes to show that getting "popular" or "big name" endorsements are essentially worthless. No shade to anyone. I love the passion in the final two testimonies. You topped it all off with your signature styling, a good entry.
Subomie
The most/least, you do raise some good points, and I appreciate how head first you went into this challenge and the theme but it came out a little too drag race and not enough ANTM. It's like a little of the old Sub was peeping out. I like the fact that you and Super have used ex-contestants too, who knows the game better? Both of the testimonies were nice in their own way. But what worries me is why you didn't go for 3? Even if you got a random friend to send something, you should make use of as much room as we give you. Overall the presentation was messy and the delivery wasn't the best, but the basic points were there.
A Bomb
As always the presentation is adorable! #BombSquad is cute. The most/least part seems so fake to me though, even Kitt mentions your feistiness and also the #sassy nature of your past entries, I'm just confused why you were so nice in this part? Even Subomie went in a bit. I wish you'd have wrote a little more on each tbh, there's not enough there. I loved Kitts testimony, I think she's a good judge of character, but what she said about honing both sides of your personality rings loud and true for me. The other two seemed bias to me, didn't like them. Overall there were sparks of brilliance with the presentation and Kitt's testimony, but I feel like you held back yourself and you should have got a broader range of testimonies, it let you down imo and we didn't get to see the real you and all of your personality.
JakeKills
Cute presentation, nice and simple. I actually really loved your most/least section. I think you can be so eloquent at times. You put your points across with the right amount of truth and conviction but without crossing the line. I like the mix of testimonials you have, a friend (Prism), someone knowledgeable of the game (Vesp) and an influential ATRL icon (Remmy). As I was reading the testimonials I was quite enjoying them tbh. It goes from friendly, to somewhat messy and shady, to Remmy's ultimate clock of why you should win. This is by far my favourite entry this round. Good job!
MATTY says...
Quote:
Superpower
Trials | You had decent words to say about your fellow competitors and their ranks of most to least potential to win in this game. My biggest issue with your write up is the inconsistency of things. I do appreciate how you fully praised your number one, the good and bad with your number two, and then pure negatives for your number three; however, I wish you would have done both good and bad with all of them. I felt like it would have given more insight to how you truly feel about the contestants than just following your rank flow.
Testimonies | Honestly you chose three great people to write you praise as to why you should be ANTM. You have Satellites who is arguably the most influential, dare I say legendary, member to ever come across ATRL; Buddy who is one of the most beloved members this forum has had; and Scene who is a success story in himself as member who has really made a name for himself. With that all said, your biggest name you had, Satellites, truly screwed you over. Buddy and Scene had so much more better stuff to say about you, even though it wasn’t that strong, than what Sates had to say. It felt like you should win because you are a Beyonce stan more than anything. That’s it?
Side Note: Hey Sates. How ya been? Just wanted to remind you Season 3 was hosted by Angelo, so he was the host who ultimately chose Pound 100 over you based on what the judges said. I don’t remember who I voted for that cycle, but nevertheless you came out the ultimate best. The reason why you remain in the ANTM OP write up. #nohatealllove
Subomie
Trials | Honestly you were the only contestant who had me using the slang “YASS” in my head while reading your write ups for the other three. You honestly spoke the truth about the other members and even had me thinking about points you said. That was something I was hoping for someone to do with this portion of the challenge. Honesty and convincing, it was a great and thought provoking section.
Side Note: To the other three reading this portion, yes I did read all the entries before writing my comments this time. So it is true with what I said saying this was the best trial section out of the bunch.
Testimonies | Now the flip side, a pretty disappointing testimony section as to why you should win. You had a controversial known member, Robbie, and an upcoming beloved member, lovesong; yet they did not do you any justice. Robbie was speaking about your impact, your impact this, your impact that, but did not back up. He just went quickly into stats we basically already know and have a chart to. What is this impact? Where are the receipts? Show me the money; bitch betta have my money. Your slight savor with this section was lovesong, but it isn’t by much. I which lovesong went in more about why you should win ANTM. To be honest, I also wish he would have touched on the quit subject. Lovesong withdrew from ANTM and you have threatened multiple times to do so, explain that connection as to why you may have want to quit. I agree you are a strong member and have what it takes to be ANTM; but there was no justice here.
A Bomb
Trials | Real talk with A Bomb? More like real talk with a plastic bag. What was this? We know your personality, as do everyone else who basically ranked you last because of your personality, so it’s quite disappointing. You gave a little sass with a few sentences on each person with your rank, when I was expecting and hoping somewhat a Subomie type comments with even more realness. This was tame like you were trying not to step on too many toes and saving your comments for the Reunion. One of your testimonials spoke REAL well on a subject of your personality that would have fit well here: speak up.
Testimonies | To an extent you and Subomie had the complete reverse in this entry when it comes to Trials and Testimonies. To me, this was the best testimony I read. What hurt you the most with this, actually comes from the fact that you used three ANTM winners. That may sound confusing, but it honestly became too strong of a motive that it became a slight negative. In my mind though, I understand why as you and those three winners have qualities in common. Edge was your saving grace/ultimate savior for this section, so let me speak of the others first. Let’s just point out the obvious here, the quality I see in you, Kitt, and Dom is the fact that you all basically quit during your respected cycles and I had to talk to each of you to stay. But I understand… and Edge spoke it best. I always knew Edge had a way with words with his time as judge for the game, but this was next level I-want-to-make-him-the-winner-again type speech. I want it framed and quoted for it was too REAL; not just for you but for any and every contestant who takes **** for threatening to quit or feeling down about themselves because of their run and feeling lost. In which is part of the quality I see in you and him. You quit due to your passion for this game and wanting to win and Edge had a moment during his run where he lost sight of himself and the crown in a similar moment. Aside from that, you are both real in your personalities. Which makes the testimony even stronger.
Side Note: Edge, whenever you’re ready to come back as judge for ANTM, let me know brother. I know you are waiting for All-Stars more than secretly I think.
JakeKills
Trials | Your write ups for each contestant was really good. You a few good and negative points for the other three members. My only downside is basically the same as Superpower’s; I wish you had mentioned more pros and cons to each members with your rankings instead of just writing more goods for the first, a balance for the second, and more negatives for the third. Like I also said, for me it would give me more of an idea to how you really feel about those members outside of how you ranked them and how you really see them good and bad.
Testimonies | I don’t know if I can really explain this as well as I want to, it’s more of a feeling I got, but I feel like this was the most realistic testimony write-up out of everyone. By realistic I mean that it felt the most real, like these were actually people who knew you. Also they were people of whom you knew that seemed the post impressive to give you an adequate testimony as to why you should win. Your saving grace in the testimony was Remmy, but you also had someone who really hurt your testimony: Vespertine. Let’s just start with Vespy. What got him far last cycle was the fact that he was quirky and funny and interesting. It felt like he took that and went 100 miles in the opposite direction. At times it didn’t even feel like a testimony to as to why you should win. To me it felt like it really hurt you and maybe should question his help next time or get him to focus at least. Now with Remmy, it just felt real and thought out. He gave stats and one link receipt that was outside of ANTM and those stats which is always great to have when someone is trying to explain why you should win.
In Bombs defense , Bomb has been friends with Kitt for some time know and he's met Dom and Edge from playing Dominos game where Dom even liked him enough to bring him back. So it's not like Bomb actively went to them because they won.
@Matty, wouldn't writing good things about our least potential and bad things about our most potential contradict our rankings?
I think that's why Jake and I didn't do that. The way we did it, that's how trials work. You don't stand in front of a judge and say "you should imprison this guy because he committed fraud but know that he also donated some of the money to charity"
Anyway, thank you for the comments. Not sure where I or anyone else stand because it seems the judges don't agree at all
Aw thank you Matty. I've been trying to branch out of Games and I'm glad to see it's showing.
I forgot to add a further comment about All-Stars and how it would be perfect for you at the moment due to this.
Quote:
Originally posted by Superpower
@Matty, wouldn't writing good things about our least potential and bad things about our most potential contradict our rankings?
I think that's why Jake and I didn't do that. The way we did it, that's how trials work. You don't stand in front of a judge and say "you should imprison this guy because he committed fraud but know that he also donated some of the money to charity"
Anyway, thank you for the comments. Not sure where I or anyone else stand because it seems the judges don't agree at all
I can see it, but to me it just seemed a little weird. Like trust me I understand it, but for me personally I would have loved to see the consistency of pros/cons with the rank showing how you ranked them, or just giving cons to further help boost your testimony side.
No you wouldn't say that, in terms of being on the prosecuting side, but the defense side would probably use that to help their client out. Each of the people were on trial, you are prosecuting them in the sense of most to least potential to win. Still thinking in the sense of that this is a competition and you want to make yourself look better so you'll still throw some cons in there even if they have the most potential of the three. That's why to me it just felt weird having your first person being praised, second having mixed, third being dragged.
I don't know if this helped or further hurt my point
Quote:
Originally posted by A Bomb
Why did matty post a score, along with his comment, for mine, but no one else's?
wait it was edited now
dkjadklj you aint slick
Shhhh, you didn't see anything.
In reality I was scoring ya'll out of 10 for each part to help with my scores. They were not meant to be posted, but for some reason bypassed your scores when I posted. That has been a pattern with me today in things I have typed and altered.
