Michael Bloomberg - Producers Blamed For Riot At Tv Audition

New York City Mayor MICHAEL BLOOMBERG has blamed the producers of U.S. TV series AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL for the riot that occurred at a recent audition for the show.

Potential contestants for the forthcoming season of the modelling series, hosted by Tyra Banks, were waiting to try out on Saturday (14Mar09) when chaos broke out on the streets outside the Park Central New York hotel in Manhattan.

Hundreds of people were caught up in the melee, leaving the street outside the hotel littered with shoes and clothing.

Two women and a man were arrested on charges of inciting to riot and disorderly conduct while two people were taken to hospital with minor injuries.

And Bloomberg is adamant that the incident could have been avoided - if the show's producers had requested police assistance.

He says, "You’ve just got to, in advance, arrange for security."

The show's host, Banks, said she was unsure what caused the riot.

In a joint statement with executive producer Ken Mok, she said: "We are concerned by the events. We still don't know all the details of what triggered the incident. We appreciate the efforts of the NYPD and will assist them in any way possible in this matter."