Miss Montana featured on New York Times’ front page

source: sidneyherald.com:

"Miss Montana featured on New York Times’ front page

By Bill Vander Weele

Sidney Herald

While Miss Oklahoma came away as the new Miss America, Miss Montana Sophia Steinbeisser, Sidney, might have attracted as much publicity as any of the 52 contestants.

On Saturday morning, a photo featuring Steinbeisser and Miss Texas, Morgan Matlock, preparing for a dress rehearsal was front-page material for the New York Times.

Steinbeisser said her brother Lance, who lives in Miami, called her Saturday morning about the photo. “Of course, I called all my friends and said, ‘find The New York Times,’ ” Steinbeisser said.

Although having people shooting photos of her was a constant during the pageant held in Las Vegas, Steinbeisser remembers the New York Times photographer because she was taking photos in the dressing tent, and that usually wasn’t allowed.

Why was she the lucky one to have her photo taken? “I happened to be looking at myself in the mirror for a long time. I don’t know,” she laughs.

The photo marked the second time that Steinbeisser attracted special media attention during the week. On Wednesday, she was featured in a column in the Las Vegas Review Journal about the pageant. The column outlined how Steinbeisser remained calm despite having her wardrobe, valued at $8,000, lost in the mail for several days. “We’ve been amazed that she’s remained so composed,” Miss Arizona Audrey Sibley was quoted in the story."

Miss Montana was interviewed about this very subject in PageantCast 006

---

TKPN
PageantCast Home
Frappr Map
Podcast Pickle Page
Our Feed
One Click Subscribe in Juice
One Click Subscribe in iTunes

Miss America Pays her Annual Post-coronation Visit to New York

Miss America Pays her Annual Post-coronation Visit to New York:

NEW YORK (AP) -- The title of Miss America was five years in coming to Jennifer Berry, who won it Saturday night.

But now that she's finished with beauty pageants, she can't think of any part of them that she's happy to give up.

Berry says people ask her, 'Are you glad you don't have to walk around on stage in a swimsuit anymore?' But she says she 'actually enjoyed that.'

Berry, a 22-year old aspiring teacher from Oklahoma, paid Miss America's annual post-coronation visit to New York City today.

She says she used to play Miss America with her big sister when they were girls. Jennifer always got to be Miss America. Her sister Kim played the emcee."

---

TKPN
PageantCast Home
Frappr Map
Podcast Pickle Page
Our Feed
One Click Subscribe in Juice
One Click Subscribe in iTunes

Our view: Miss America contest gets back to basics

Norwich Bulletin - www.norwichbulletin.com - Norwich, Conn.:

The Miss America Pageant gets a new start beginning today. And we have a stake in it.

Fifty-two young women begin preliminary competition in Las Vegas, Nev., including Miss Connecticut -- Norwich's Dianna Baitinger. The telecast is Saturday night.

The pageant, an American tradition since 1921, has fallen on rather hard times. Network TV ratings have dropped dramatically and its longtime home, Atlantic City, N.J., withdrew its invitation. This after the pageant -- which hugged tradition through the feminist uprising of the1960s and '70s and beyond -- has tried very hard to be relevant, going so far as to make a game show part of the proceedings.

This year, despite the megawatt glitz of Las Vegas -- Mohegan Sun was once mentioned as a possible site -- Miss America is getting back to basics. Gone are the 'quiz show' and 'casual wear' elements of the judging. The Miss Congeniality award, which hasn't been a part of Miss America since 1974, is back. The swimsuit, evening wear and talent portions remain. The broadcast is now on CMT, a country music channel that has a growing viewership and likely a very strong base in America's heartland.

Despite the transition, Miss America this year still has more than $45 million available to local, state and national contestants in cash and scholarships.

The other constant is the contestants -- young women of quality and substance. Miss Connecticut is no exception.

Baitinger, a Norwich Free Academy graduate and Norwich native, is a talented and trained singer and has the dedication and love of her family. "

---

TKPN
PageantCast Home
Frappr Map
Podcast Pickle Page
Our Feed
One Click Subscribe in Juice
One Click Subscribe in iTunes

'Miss America Pageant' Was CMT's Most Watched Show Ever

'Miss America Pageant' Was CMT's Most Watched Show Ever - Starpulse News Blog:

The 2006 'Miss America Pageant,' which premiered live on CMT on Saturday, Jan. 21, scored a record 3.1 million total viewers. The 'Miss America Pageant' ranks as the most watched telecast ever in CMT's history with total viewers, besting the 2005 'CMT Music Awards,' which had garnered 2.9 million viewers.

A phenomenal 12.5 million different viewers (cumulative) tuned in during the three weekend telecasts of the 2006 pageant (1/21 at 8 p.m.; 1/21 at 11 p.m.; and 1/22 at 5 p.m.).

'These stand out ratings for CMT and the 'Miss America Pageant' are just the beginning of a long and successful relationship,' said Paul Villadolid, vice president original programming and development, CMT. 'The buzz and promotion surrounding the Pageant were like no other in our history and the ratings were a resounding victory for the network. The 'Miss America Pageant' surpassed our previous benchmark for success and ranks as CMT's most watched program ever.'

'The Miss America Organization is thrilled with the strong numbers for our first year with CMT,' said Art McMaster, president/CEO, Miss America Organization. 'CMT has proven to be a wonderful partner for us and preparations for next year are already underway as we look to build on it.'"

---

TKPN
PageantCast Home
Frappr Map
Podcast Pickle Page
Our Feed
One Click Subscribe in Juice
One Click Subscribe in iTunes

Poland to host Miss World 2006 final

Miss World 2006 beauty contest will take place in Poland in September, Witold Asminowicz, a spokesman from the Miss Polonia organisation, told the Polish news agency PAP.

The Miss World 2005 contest, held in Sanya, China, was won in December by 21-year-old Reykjavik student Birna Vilhjalmsdottir from Iceland.

Organisers said that pageant, in its 55th edition, reached an estimated global audience of two billion.

---

TKPN
PageantCast Home
Frappr Map
Podcast Pickle Page
Our Feed
One Click Subscribe in Juice
One Click Subscribe in iTunes

With Berry As Miss America, Who Is Miss Oklahoma?

With Berry As Miss America, Who Is Miss Oklahoma?: "With Berry As Miss America, Who Is Miss Oklahoma?

POSTED: 2:55 pm CST January 24, 2006
UPDATED: 6:15 pm CST January 24, 2006


OKLAHOMA CITY -- A labor and delivery nurse will take a leave of absence to wear the crown of Miss Oklahoma.

Jennifer Warren officially assumed the title after Miss Oklahoma Jennifer Berry was chosen Miss America in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Warren said she never imagined she'd get the opportunity to wear the crown. She said she's happy that Berry won the national title.

Warren is a graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma and works at Integris Baptist Medical Center."

---

TKPN
PageantCast Home
Frappr Map
Podcast Pickle Page
Our Feed
One Click Subscribe in Juice
One Click Subscribe in iTunes

Online Casino Taking Bets on Miss America

Online Casino Taking Bets on Miss America - 01-22-06:

January 22 - It's one of the most prestigious events on the international beauty scene and leading online casino and sportsbook. Nine.com has taken the initiative and announced odds on the annual Miss America pageant...

The even will take place this coming Saturday night in Las Vegas.

Apparently all the girls are very attractive, but a Nine.com spokes person revealed that Ms Louisiana has been getting the most attention from eager bettors. 'It is interesting to note that most of the betting is coming from outside of her home state. In the past, 95% of bets placed on a contestant came from within here respective state'.

'We believe that a lot of sentiment is being driven because if hurricane Katrina. We would have preferred to move the event to Costa Rica, but are very happy to settle on Vegas.' 'We wish all the girls the best of luck' the spokes person said."

---

TKPN
PageantCast Home
Frappr Map
Podcast Pickle Page
Our Feed
One Click Subscribe in Juice
One Click Subscribe in iTunes

Miss America: Vegas gamble paid off

Miss America: Vegas gamble paid off

Associated Press

LAS VEGAS - Miss America rolled the dice moving to Las Vegas, and the gamble paid off, pageant organizers said Sunday.

The 2006 Miss America, Jennifer Berry, from Tulsa, Okla., competes in the swimsuit competition at the 2006 Miss America pageant in Las Vegas, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2006. - Jae C. Hong / AP

Held outside Atlantic City, N.J., for the first time in its 85-year history, the pageant wrapped up Saturday night with the crowning of Miss Oklahoma Jennifer Berry — and with new buzz for the faltering grande dame of beauty competitions.

Yet it remains to be seen whether what happened in Vegas will stay in Vegas. Pageant CEO Art McMaster said that no decision had been made on where Miss America was headed next, although the Aladdin Resort & Casino wanted it back next year.

"I know there are a lot of other interested cities that would like to get their hands on this," McMaster said.

Also unknown Sunday was whether the move to Las Vegas and cable television were enough to lure back viewers who have been tuning the pageant out for years. Ratings information was not yet available.

"Miss America is a perfect fit for Country Music Television, and we hope last night was step one in a long relationship," said Paul Villadolid, vice president of programming and development for the network, which signed a five-year deal to broadcast Miss America after ABC dropped the pageant.

---

TKPN
PageantCast Home
Frappr Map
Podcast Pickle Page
Our Feed
One Click Subscribe in Juice
One Click Subscribe in iTunes

Miss Oklahoma Becomes First 'Vegas' Miss America

Miss Oklahoma Becomes First 'Vegas' Miss America

Jan. 22, 2006 — Jennifer Berry of Oklahoma was crowned Miss America Saturday at the pageant's Las Vegas debut.

Berry, 22-year-old student at the University of Oklahoma who plans to become a teacher, earned a $30,000 college scholarship for winning the pageant.

An advocate for drunken driving prevention, Berry helped seal her victory with her ballet routine. Before winning, she competed in five Oklahoma state pageants. She had finished as third runner-up two times before moving on to the next level.

---

TKPN
PageantCast Home
Frappr Map
Podcast Pickle Page
Our Feed
One Click Subscribe in Juice
One Click Subscribe in iTunes

Fishers dad has stake in Miss America crown

Fishers dad has stake in Miss America crown
Daughter will represent Iowa during festivities.

Indianapolis Star
January 19, 2006

FISHERS -- Local residents have another reason to tune in to the Miss America pageant Jan. 21: Miss Iowa, Kay Pauszek.

She's the daughter of Tom and Kathy Pauszek and the granddaughter of pediatrician Dr. Robert Pauszek Sr. and his wife Kay Pauszek, all of Fishers.

Kay Pauszek said the Indiana branch of the family will head to the pageant festivities in Las Vegas and see the program that will be televised live Jan. 21 on cable's Country Music Television.

The 22-year-old University of Iowa grad grew up in Iowa. She remains close to her sisters, Leah, a senior at Chatard High School, and Shauna, a sophomore at Indiana University, according to her grandmother."

---

TKPN
PageantCast Home
Frappr Map
Podcast Pickle Page
Our Feed
One Click Subscribe in Juice
One Click Subscribe in iTunes

There she goes: Miss America pageant driven to CMT by us know-it-alls

BostonHerald.com - Lifestyle: There she goes: Miss America pageant driven to CMT by us know-it-alls: By Beth Teitell
Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Video killed the radio star, so the song goes. But who bumped off Miss America? You did, apparently. Well maybe not you - you may be a very nice person. But I certainly did. And others like me.

Or so I’ve learned from a certain judgmental - sorry, but it’s true - vice president of programming and development for the schmaltzy cable station that agreed to take in a homeless Miss America pageant, the Country Music Television channel. “Our audience is by and large not a cynical audience,” Paul Villadolid told the Gannet News Service. (And it’s not a big one, either. The channel averaged 324,000 prime-time viewers last year.)

“What is it, the rube audience?” one of my friends asked.

“It’s remarks like that that are part of the problem,” I said.

We sophisticates allowed ourselves a small laugh at the expense of the CMT-loving simpletons. This Saturday night, while we’re challenging ourselves with “Frasier” reruns or perhaps a figure skating competition, the CMT crowd will be tuned into the pageant. And what a doozy it should be.

In an attempt to fend off obsolescence, the Miss America pageant is losing the cheesy reality-TV elements of the past few years (which were a miserable failure, garnering only 9.8 million viewers on ABC last year). Instead, it’s returning to its roots, bringing back the beloved state sashes, the retro gowns, the Miss Congeniality competition. "

---

TKPN
PageantCast Home
Frappr Map
Podcast Pickle Page
Our Feed
One Click Subscribe in Juice
One Click Subscribe in iTunes

Mayor Goodman Welcomes Miss America Organization

KLASTV.com - Mayor Goodman Welcomes Miss America Organization:
Jan 17, 2006, 06:24 PM

Mayor Oscar Goodman welcomed the Miss America Organization to Las Vegas this weekend. The pageant has moved from Atlantic City to Las Vegas this year.

The event takes place at the Aladdin Theatre for Performing Arts on Saturday. This year's 52 contestants, and the reigning Miss America were among those in attendance Saturday as Mayor Goodman offered a warm welcome. 'We'd like to think that we have all of the best events that take place throughout the world, making their home in Las Vegas, Nevada. To have the Miss America contest here is very, very special.'"

---

TKPN
PageantCast Home
Frappr Map
Podcast Pickle Page
Our Feed
One Click Subscribe in Juice
One Click Subscribe in iTunes

Here's why CMT thinks Miss America's crown is a good fit

Sunday, 01/15/06:
By RYAN UNDERWOOD
Staff Writer

For the first time in its 50-year television history, the fabled Miss America beauty pageant won't run on one of the major networks when it airs Saturday night.

Instead Nashville-based Country Music Television will be doing the honors — from Las Vegas, not Atlantic City, another first in Miss America history.

Last year, CMT paid an undisclosed amount for broadcast rights to the show for 2006 and 2007, with options extending through 2011. ABC had dumped the faded beauty queen in 2004 amid the pageant's lowest television ratings in its history when it drew 9.8 million viewers, down from about 33 million in 1988. For comparison's sake, a recent episode of the Monday night CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother drew in 9.5 million viewers.

Now, Viacom-owned CMT is laying down a big-dollar bet that it can restore some luster to the Miss America pageant, a spectacle that captured the collective imagination of as many as 85 million viewers during its heyday in the early 1960s.

...
"'Our audience is very uncynical — in a completely refreshing way,' he said. 'They're inherently optimistic, and I think that they believe in tradition and they believe in the power of institutions. Looking at it through that prism, the Miss America Pageant seemed like a perfect fit for CMT.'"

---

TKPN
PageantCast Home
Frappr Map
Podcast Pickle Page
Our Feed
One Click Subscribe in Juice
One Click Subscribe in iTunes

Female ministers rage over pageant

Source

Female ministers are furious over Oslo vicar Einar Gelius' plans to sit on the jury of the committee to choose Norway's representative in the Miss Universe pageant.

"I think it is repulsive that middle-aged men ogle 16-year-old girls in underwear. The situation is not made any better by one of the men being a clergyman," youth vicar Margit Louise Holte told newspaper VG.

This year's qualification pageant has been advertised by organizers as "sexier and more playful than ever". In addition to bikini sequences and personal videos by contestants, segments will include underwear modeling for the first time.

Gelius, who has been in the spotlight before for his avid support of Oslo soccer club Vålerenga, said he is tired of criticism from Norway's Christian community.

"I expected some fuss, but now I think it has gotten out of hand. This has been very difficult," Gelius said, though he said he had no regrets.

"And I will not withdraw as a judge. But I have reflected at length on what taking part in this means in relation to my role. I must be able to do things in my free time without being confronted with the fact that I am a clergyman," Gelius told VG.

On Friday Gelius announced that he was withdrawing from participating in the event, after a request to do so by Oslo bishop Ole Christian Kvarme.

---

TKPN
PageantCast Home
Frappr Map
Podcast Pickle Page
Our Feed
One Click Subscribe in Juice
One Click Subscribe in iTunes

New 'Miss America' host not really a fan of pageants

by Gail Shister

Inquirer Columnist

PASADENA, Calif. - Miss America's new host hasn't actually watched the pageant since his frat-house days 20 years ago.

"I don't watch a lot of TV in general," Desperate Housewives hunk James Denton said in an interview Wednesday at the TV critics' semiannual gathering.

"Maybe it was just the promotion. ... I never really knew when it was on. It kind of came and went without me noticing. I've never been a big follower of pageants."

Thanks for sharing, James.

Having gotten the boot from ABC, the ratings-challenged pageant will air live at 8 p.m. Jan. 21 on CMT from Las Vegas. It's the first cable telecast for Miss A., and the first time in its 85-year history that it won't be in Atlantic City.

Denton, a University of Tennessee journalism grad who planned to be a priest, says he was surprised to get the gig.

"Some actors think you should do nothing but act or you won't be taken seriously," he says. A Nashville native with a "soft spot" for country music, Denton says he was an easy sell. A production deal with CMT didn't hurt, either.

Signing Denton was "a home run," says Miss America CEO Art McMaster. "He's one of the hottest stars on one of the hottest shows."

As the "There She Is" theme song blared, the Q&A session opened with all 52 contestants parading into the ballroom wearing evening gowns and sashes representing the 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. All were smiling and had perfect posture.

Denton, who turns 43 on Jan. 20, won't sing. He won't dance, and he won't crack wise.

"They didn't hire a comedian for a reason," he says. "They thought I would make the women [in the pageant] feel more comfortable.

---

TKPN
PageantCast Home
Frappr Map
Podcast Pickle Page
Our Feed
One Click Subscribe in Juice
One Click Subscribe in iTunes

LINGO Goes Into Production for Its Fifth Season

Friday January 13, 6:00 am ET

Legendary Game Show Host Chuck Woolery Returns With Co-Host Shandi Finnessey at His SideSANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- LINGO will go into production on its fifth season next month, making it the first original series ever to be picked up for a fifth season at GSN, the network for games. Legendary host Chuck Woolery returns with co-host Shandi Finnessey by his side. The fifth season will premiere Monday, April 3 and will air Monday through Friday 7:30-8:00 PM, ET/PT.

New to this fifth season is a progressive LINGO jackpot, which is won every time a winning team gets "Lingo" on the first ball. The jackpot starts at $10,000 and grows by $1,000 each time it's not won. The new season will also feature a series of episodes in which the champions of GSN's online game face off against the best players from previous television episodes.

Host Woolery is known by audiences worldwide for such popular classics as "Love Connection" and "Greed," both of which air on GSN, in addition to "Scrabble" and the first seven years of "Wheel of Fortune." Co-host Shandi Finnessey (Miss USA 2004), originally from St. Louis, has a degree in psychology and has written a children's book, The Furrtails, as part of her goal to integrate developmentally challenged children into regular classrooms. She is also currently at work on her second book, Suzanna the Banana.

Our interview with Shandi was featured in Pageantcast 004.

Caravan of beauties arrives in Las Vegas for Miss America pageant

Caravan of beauties arrives in Las Vegas for Miss America pageant (phillyBurbs.com) | New Jersey News:

By KATHLEEN HENNESSEY
The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES - 'Where are the sashes? Who's got the sashes?'

Miss America pageant volunteer Sally Romonowski's darted around a luxury tour bus stocked with two dozen beauties heading from Los Angeles to Las Vegas Saturday for the weeklong competition.

Hours after rolling out at 8 a.m., the caravan of primped contestants and pooped chaperones arrived at the Las Vegas Strip for a red carpet welcoming.

It's the first time in the pageant's 85-year history that Miss America, once an icon of American femininity, will be crowned in Las Vegas, an icon of American debauchery.

Organizers hope the move from Atlantic City, N.J., will revive the cash-strapped and ratings-poor pageant. Fifty-two young women hope the changes will keep the pageant running as a tribute to grace, poise, fitness and skill. The payoff: $50,000 for college or graduate school.

'This is the Olympics for us,' Miss New York Kandice Pelletier, 24, a student and Radio City Rockette from Manhattan, said on the road Saturday.

The black sashes blazoned with the contestants state's names were found hanging in a corner. A camera crew piled on board. The women passed around newspapers and magazines. Miss California studied a list of sample interview questions.

This week began with rehearsals and publicity in Los Angeles. Preliminary competitions begin on Tuesday with the finale to air next Saturday.

Most contestants are between the ages of 21 and 23. Nearly half will sing for their talent performance; six with tap dance; and one, Miss Colorado Jessica Jane Urban, will play the harp. Many say they got started in 'the system' because a coach, teacher or parent encouraged them and they needed money for school.

"I grew up poor," said 23-year-old Miss Michigan Octavia Reese, of Detroit, who says the winnings would help fund her graduate degree in linguistics. "I've had to fight the system."Reese said she passed on a Fulbright Scholarship in France to walk the runway this year. "This is once in a lifetime thing," she said. Though some contestants describe themselves as "not the pageant type," many covet the crown for its symbolism and glamour. For many, pageant training involves long workouts, trips to the salon, lessons on "how to stand with pretty feet" and long consultations with mothers and state pageant advisers on wardrobe choices. Each finds a different way to pay for a stage-ready evening gown, an interview suit and a handful of cocktail dresses. Miss Kansas Adrienne Rosel, 23, says her state organization offered about $3,000 in allowance, not including the evening gown, which was donated by a designer. New York's Pelletier has dished out about $7,000 of her own money for clothes. "I consider it an investment," she said. The contestants won't have much time to see Las Vegas landmarks, organizers say, because of their busy schedules and concentration. "Once we reach Las Vegas the game faces come on," said Art McMaster, chief executive of the Miss America Organization. As the Las Vegas Strip came into view Saturday, organizers announced that a planned pitstop for primping, the "makeup stop," was canceled. Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman was waiting to give the contestants the key to the city. The Aladdin Resort & Casino, the show's host, had rolled out the carpet. Lipstick and hairbrushes emerged on cue. A line formed at the bathroom. Miss Michigan wondered what to do with her cello, and eager volunteers began doling out the sashes. "Is this thing on straight?" Miss New York asked.
January 14, 2006 10:33 PM

---

TKPN
PageantCast Home
Frappr Map
Podcast Pickle Page
Our Feed
One Click Subscribe in Juice
One Click Subscribe in iTunes

GSN and Shuffle Up Productions to Telecast First-Ever Million Dollar 'Three Card Poker National Championship Tournament'

Friday January 13, 6:00 am ET
PASADENA, Calif., Jan. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- GSN has partnered with gaming company Shuffle Master Inc. to air the finals of the first ever Three Card Poker National Championship Tournament. The special, hosted by Mark L. Walberg ("Temptation Island," and "Russian Roulette") and Danielle Demski (Miss Arizona 2004 and Miss USA Finalist), is slated to air Monday, April 17 and Monday, April 24 from 9:00 to 10:00 PM ET/PT, and is being produced by LMNO Productions and Shuffle Master subsidiary Shuffle Up Productions. The announcement was made at the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour by GSN Senior Vice President of Programming, Ian Valentine.

---

TKPN
PageantCast Home
Frappr Map
Podcast Pickle Page
Our Feed
One Click Subscribe in Juice
One Click Subscribe in iTunes

Celebrity Judges Announced for the 2006 Miss America Pageant

Celebrity Judges Announced for the 2006 Miss America Pageant: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance:
Wednesday January 11, 9:00 pm ET
Jane Kaczmarek, Brenda Strong, Jerry Rice, Leeza Gibbons, Brian McKnight, Robert Verdi & Sharlene Wells Hawkes Will Serve As Miss America Judges
Pageant To Air Live on CMT Saturday, January 21, 2006 From The Aladdin Resort & Casino In Las Vegas

PASADENA, Calif., Jan. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- An NFL great, a multi-platinum recording artist, a 'Desperate Housewives' star and a fashion guru are among the judges for the 2006 MISS AMERICA PAGEANT, it was announced today by the Miss America Organization.

Jane Kaczmarek ('Malcolm in the Middle'), Brenda Strong ('Desperate Housewives', Miss Arizona 1980), Jerry Rice (NFL receiver), Leeza Gibbons (TV/radio host), Brian McKnight (recording artist), Robert Verdi (fashion expert) and Sharlene Wells Hawkes (Miss America 1985) will all serve as judges for the final night of this year's pageant, which for the first time will be held in Las Vegas.

'We're delighted to announce such an eclectic and star-studded group of judges for the final night of this year's pageant,' said Art McMaster, president and CEO of the Miss America Organization. 'These individuals will rate our contestants and vote for the new Miss America, and I know they're each up to the challenge.'"

---

TKPN
PageantCast Home
Frappr Map
Podcast Pickle Page
Our Feed
One Click Subscribe in Juice
One Click Subscribe in iTunes

Country net ponies up to promote pageant

Variety.com - Country net ponies up to promote pageant:
CMT aiming for auds online, on the tube, at Wal-Mart

By DENISE MARTIN

CMT is spending upwards of $6 million to wrangle up an audience for the launch of the Miss America Pageant on Jan. 21.

Campaign is the largest for a single program in the history of the ViacomViacom-owned country music cablercabler with the exception of that for the net's annual 'CMT Music Awards.'

Among the promotions in place:

• Two- to three-minute profiles on each of the Miss America contestants are available on Comcast's video-on-demand service and on CMT.com.
• Beginning Monday, contestants will introduce each episode of "Wheel of Fortune" during Pageant Week.
• CMT has bought up spots during Sunday night sudsersudser "Desperate Housewives" in the Los Angeles, Dallas, Philadelphia, Chicago and New York markets. "Housewives" star James Denton serves as this year's emceeemcee and recently pacted with the network to develop original series.
• Cabler has pacted with Wal-Mart for a series of in-store spots that will lead up to the pageant.

CMT also is receiving full promotional support from its Viacom sibs. VH1VH1 will air the one-hour spec "VH1 Goes Inside: Miss America" on Jan. 17 and will repurpose the competishcompetish at a later date. VH1, Logo, Spike, TV Land and Nick at Nite will run spots throughout the weeks leading up to the pageant.

On its own air, CMT has slated "Greatest Miss America Moments" at 7 p.m. preceding the pageant. Regular program "CMT Top 20" will shoot from the Aladdin -- pageant takes place this year in Las Vegas -- and "CMT Insider" will dedicate a pair of episodes to the event.

Network VP of programming and development Paul Villadolid said the message driving the campaign is simple: a return to tradition.

---

TKPN
PageantCast Home
Frappr Map
Podcast Pickle Page
Our Feed
One Click Subscribe in Juice
One Click Subscribe in iTunes

Miss America still reigns at Smithsonian

DenverPost.com - LIFESTYLES:
By Smithsonian Magazine


Yolande Betbeze Fox, Miss America 1951, donated her crown, sash and scepter to the Smithsonian Institute. (AP file)

Before 'Survivor,' 'The Apprentice' and 'Fear Factor,' only two elimination contests mattered to America. One gave us a president, and the other gave us Miss America.

At the climax of the second, the winner walked on a raised runway wearing her glittering crown while Bert Parks sang, 'There she is, Miss America ...' And so she was a reigning beauty, queen of an envious court, each member of whom had risen through local, county and state contests.

Once, seeing pretty young women walk, stop and twirl in one-piece bathing suits and high heels was enough to raise the collective pulses of any man. But in this age of maximum exposure, the swimsuit competition long ago began to seem as staid as a Pillsbury Bake-Off. The Miss America contest is up against it when women in bikinis are ready to eat bugs and grubs for fame and ratings.

Recognizing the decline, National Museum of American History curator David Shayt thought the Smithsonian should acquire an artifact from this dowager of beauty pageants.

'We figured there'd be lots of clothes,' Shayt says, 'but clothes come with conservation problems, so early on we decided to try for a distinctive, hard artifact.'

Shayt headed for New Jersey, where, at the Sheraton Atlantic City on Miss America Way, a collection of gowns, crowns and a bronze statue of Parks is on permanent display."

---

TKPN
PageantCast Home
Frappr Map
Podcast Pickle Page
Our Feed
One Click Subscribe in Juice
One Click Subscribe in iTunes

Miss America pageants nationally and locally to see changes

The Standard Democrat:

01/10/06
Scott Welton

SIKESTON — Miss America pageants will be different this year - and not only at the national level.

“Miss America has moved to County Music Television, CMT. That is a big change,” said Vivian Johnson, executive director of Miss Sikeston Winter Princess pageants. “For us locally, the big change is we’ve added Miss Missouri Outstanding Teen.”

The 14th annual Miss Sikeston Winter Princess Scholarship pageant, a preliminary for Miss Missouri and Miss America, is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Albritton-Mayer Center for the Arts.

The Miss Missouri Outstanding Teen pageant will run simultaneously with the Miss Sikeston Winter Princess Pageant. The winners will represent Sikeston next June in Mexico, Mo., in the Miss Missouri and Miss Outstanding Teen pageants.

As Sikeston hosts an open pageant, all women in Missouri ages 17 to 24 are invited to compete in the Miss Pageant and all young women in Missouri ages 13 to 17 who are not a graduating senior are invited to compete in the Outstanding Teen Pageant.

“We know they have gained a lot of experience from this competition as well as generous scholarships so the Miss America organization wants to get the young ladies 13 to 17 involved and prepared to compete in the scholarship pageant eventually,” said Johnson, speaking for the all-volunteer Board of Directors. “We have watched them over the years and seen how, when they are on a job interview, it helps them. Job interviews are easy, a piece of cake, after doing this.”"

---

TKPN
PageantCast Home
Frappr Map
Podcast Pickle Page
Our Feed
One Click Subscribe in Juice
One Click Subscribe in iTunes

Denton to shave for date with Miss America

BostonHerald.com - Star Tracks: Denton to shave for date with Miss America:
By Inside Track
Monday, January 9, 2006

JAMES DENTON is thrilled to host this year’s “Miss America Pageant” on Jan. 21, and although being surrounded by beautiful women is a big bonus, it’s shaving off his trademark scruffy beard for the event that he most looks forward to! “(For “Desperate Housewives”) We have to keep it at a four-day growth in order to preserve continuity, and it actually takes more work than just shaving it.” But, there is one thing the “Housewives” hunk absolutely refuses to do for the show. He insists there is no way he will sing the show’s theme, “There She Is, Miss America.” He’d like the producers to hire a special guest to sing the ditty, but so far, no one has stepped forward for the task!"

---

TKPN
PageantCast Home
Frappr Map
Podcast Pickle Page
Our Feed
One Click Subscribe in Juice
One Click Subscribe in iTunes

Student scores hattrick of beauty titles

By TAN SIN CHOW
north@thestar.com.my

PENANG: Student Jolene Lim has scored a hat trick of beauty pageant victories with her latest triumph at the inaugural Miss Penang Hospitality 2005/06 beauty contest.

WINNING BEAUTIES: Lim flanked by Goh (left) and song at the Miss Penang Hospitality 2005/06 beauty contest on Wednesday night.

Lim, 21, who aspires to be a career woman, beat 12 other finalists en route to her crowning at the Cocos Beach Club in Upper Penang Road here on Wednesday night.

She had earlier won the Miss Kedah Earth 2005 in September before being crowned Miss Pesta 2005 last month.

“I just can't describe my feelings after winning three beauty pageant titles in four months. This is going to be remembered for a long time,” said Lim.

She was the hot favourite for the crown after winning four of the 14 subsidiary titles earlier – Miss Personality, Miss De-Fine, Miss Palace Beauty and Miss Cosmic.

Coming in second was student Penny Goh, and third was part-time model Erica Song.

Full story at: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/1/6/nation/13043311&sec=nation

---

TKPN
PageantCast Home
Frappr Map
Podcast Pickle Page
Our Feed
One Click Subscribe in Juice
One Click Subscribe in iTunes

Life as a beauty queen? It's hit-and-Miss

Austin student learning her role as Miss Texas Teen USA.
By Matthew Obernauer

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Friday, January 06, 2006

On a mild midday in December, Raevan Valadez, decked out casually in a sleeveless print shirt and khaki pants, sat quietly in a meeting room at the Round Rock Public Library with a tiara and sash at the ready.

Around her, assembled members of the Rotary Club, who were there to eat, share news and hear from Valadez about her reign as Miss Texas Teen USA.

Raevan Valadez was a relative newcomer to the pageant business, winning the Austin title and the state title only a year after first participating. Valadez said the inexperience was a boon: 'They wanted a typical teenager.'

Public appearances are part of the 'job' for Miss Texas Teen USA Raevan Valadez. Valadez, 17, was talking with Round Rock Rotary Club member Joe Knapp during a club meeting last month. The high school senior, who was crowned in November, received more than $100,000 in prizes.

In advance of her pageants this year, Valadez has enlisted the help of a personal trainer, with whom she worked out three times a week, and an interview coach. She will continue to work with them, she said, in preparation for the nationally televised Miss Teen USA pageant in August.

Her new title has not gone unnoticed at St. Michael's, and few will let her forget it.

"One of my teachers, the first day I get back (from the pageant), he starts singing the 'Miss America' theme song. The attendance person at our school . . . he calls me 'Queenie,' " she said.

"I get my fair share of ridicule because of the pageant. My brother says he's losing me to the Dark Side."

For the full story: http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/01/6valadez.html

---

TKPN
PageantCast Home
Frappr Map
Podcast Pickle Page
Our Feed
One Click Subscribe in Juice
One Click Subscribe in iTunes

The Singer & The Beauty Queen To Marry

Andrea Moore - All Headline News Staff Reporter
January 6, 2006 3:03 p.m. EST

New York, NY (AHN) - Former Creed led singer, Scott Stapp is engaged to a beauty queen.

Stapp and Jaclyn Nesheiwat, Miss New York USA 2004, have announced plans to marry on February 10th in Florida. The couple met last January at a gala for the Muscular Dystrophy Association in New York.

They became engaged late last year, the singer's publicist, Dvora Vener Englefield, told The Associated Press.

Stapp founded the rock band Creed and won a Grammy Award in 2000. He went on his own last year with the solo album, "The Great Divide."

Nesheiwat is the director of public affairs for the Scott Stapp Foundation, which promotes healthy parent-child relationships.

Story from: http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7001790662

---

TKPN
PageantCast Home
Frappr Map
Podcast Pickle Page
Our Feed
One Click Subscribe in Juice
One Click Subscribe in iTunes

Miss America 2000 in Zanesville This Weekend

“Whether we’re working on homelessness housing, health care, legislation, whatever we can do to facilitate a veteran’s needs as an individual or on the whole for the 26 million American veterans that are out there, we try to facilitate that,” said French Henry.

French Henry says she’s happy to be back in Zanesville. She’ll help out with the Miss Southeastern Ohio pageant on Saturday.

“The great thing is coming back to this area and giving back to a program that really gave me my first start,” French Henry said.

Source: http://www.whiznews.com/article.php?articleId=13775

Fri, Jan 06, 2006. 12:49 PM By: Jasmine Lo

A special visitor is gracing the Y-City. Miss America 2000, Heather French Henry spoke at the Welcome Center today.

---

TKPN
PageantCast Home
Frappr Map
Podcast Pickle Page
Our Feed
One Click Subscribe in Juice
One Click Subscribe in iTunes