Tuesday, January 29, 2008

There She Is!

I haven't watched the Miss America pageant since 1987 when the contestants dressed like drag queens, but weren't nearly as pretty. When The Learning Channel started pushing their new series Miss America: Reality Check, my first reaction was "it's about time." But we saw part of an episode and became hooked.

TLC showed the contestants video of people on the street being asked what they thought about the Miss America pageant. Talk about a reality check!

However, TLC breathed new life in a tired, old worn-out American staple. We got to see the contestants up close and learn about their own struggles as well as their idiosyncrasies. It gave faces and personalities to what used to be cardboard cut-outs with sashes over their shoulders.

We had contestants to cheer for, which was good for me since Miss Oklahoma didn't make the 16 semi-finalists. Oh, well. She had huge shoes to fill since the last TWO Miss America's hailed from Oklahoma. (Go us! Go us!)

The show produced some real gems, too. When Miss Utah was eliminated from the semi-finalists, she dropped to the floor and did push-ups! Several of the other contestants joined her.

When the host Clinton asked Miss Connecticut, who did not make it to the semi-finalists, what was it like to stand on stage in a bikini in front of millions of viewers, she responded, "How would I know? I'm up here with you!"

During the introductions, Miss Pennsylvania said she was from the state where everyone knew what the state flag looked like. This was especially funny, since she forgot what it looked like during the first challenge on "Miss America: Reality Check".

Some made jokes at their own expense. Miss Wyoming introduced herself by saying her state had moved up its primary but nobody cared!

Overall, TLC kept the pace of the show quick and light! Way to go!




Congratulations, TLC and Miss Michigan!

3 comments:

Scooter said...

I wanna know how much longer we have to wait before we see Lauren Caitlin Upton wear the tiara!

TR Ryan said...

I just found your site and noticed the link - thanks...small world we live in.

Mostly agree on the pageant but I had a big issue with the talent portion. Singers and dancers are usually backstage warming up - and the fact they couldn't was not only an unprofessional courtesy but also really showed in the performances. The way they presented the talent looked exactly like the gong show - not good for the image they were trying to enhance.

The other thing that cracked me up was the network undoing in an hour what Atlantic City tried to change for 30 years - the fact the pageant is not a beauty pageant. Oops - there it went.

Alan Scott said...

Well, Scooter, I'm not holding my breath for her wearing the Miss America or Miss USA tiara any time soon. Maybe the Miss Michelin Tire Man pageant.


T.R., I agree that the performances were not some of the best dancing or singing we've ever seen (what was Miss Texas doing?). I'm glad we were spared the baton twirling from Miss Iowa. Maybe it should just be about the beauty! Oops! Did I just say that?