Miss America Tried but Failed to Update Her Look
This weekend was the Miss America Pageant 2008. In the weeks preceding the beauty competition was the more entertaining show - TLC’s Miss America: Reality Check. The top 52 (the states plus D.C. and Virgin Islands) women were pitted against each other in competitions; forced to jump into a pool, thus messing up their hair and makeup; told that their hair looked like a helmet and their makeup was that of clowns; and given advice on their gowns, looks, walk, talk, and more (you gotta love reality TV).
The whole point was to update the pageant. Did it work? Let’s analyze.
1. See these earrings? 
They made appearances multiple times on multiple lobes in multiple neon colors during the reality show without being thrown back to the 1980s. They even made an appearance on the big night. Where were was the advice on the accessories, TLC? To find a picture I had to search 80s costumes!
2. Several girls who became faves during the reality series, weren’t even given a nod on the stage. Instead, those who refused to change instantly made it to the top. We still saw teased, sprayed hair; heard bad vocals and saw comical pointe dances; and were subjected to endless ice skater-ish, sequined, sheer dresses.
3. Their introductions were “modern.” There were movie quotes (Miss Washington asked us “How do you like those apples?”), attempts at jokes 
(Miss Georgia said that her state was the only place where you could have both a Southern accent and a college degree); slightly offense “oh my, did she just say that” moments (Miss Nevada thanked you for leaving your money in her state), and all around poor choices made.
4. And the pageant’s changes? Oh so corny! On stage there was a DJ that played beats instead of songs, and a losers’ party with dessert. Not to mention, if you watched it replayed after the live performance, they gave away who was going to win! More than one commercial told viewers who the winner was when there were still ten women in the running.
So while I appreciate the attempt, and was entertained by Reality Check, it did not work.
miss america reality check, miss america pageant 2008
January 30th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
I too was disappointed with the pageant - I repeatedly said - and almost yelled at the end - that it was the JUDGES who needed the reality check! I was surprised that no one from the show was a judge. How odd to be counseled on one set of standards and then judged on a whole different one.
Did you notice that all of the semi-finalists were ladies who wore the skimpy bikinis? except for fan favorite, Miss Utah. I honestly despised Miss Michigan’s dress (dresses, actually) and I thought that her vocal was the weakest.
Miss Indiana, although I didn’t love her during the reality show, was the clear winner in my opinion.
The semi-finalists were the “usual suspects” - I was not pleased. Perhaps they need to make it a multiple day contest and have America vote!
Oh well.
February 5th, 2008 at 11:35 am
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