Miss America Pageant Moves to Vegas

FOX News (AP) ^ | 11/16/2005 | AP staff

[wjersey]

LAS VEGAS — After 84 years of crowning beauties on the Boardwalk, the Miss America pageant is moving to the Las Vegas Strip, organizers announced Wednesday.

It will be the first time the contest has been staged outside Atlantic City, N.J.

The Aladdin hotel-casino will host the pageant, scheduled to air Jan. 21 on Nashville, Tenn.-based cable channel Country Music Television, organizers told The Associated Press.

"What we wanted to do is find a new host city that has all glitz and glamour Miss America is known for," said Art McMaster, the pageant's chief executive. "Obviously Las Vegas is right at the top of this list."

The pageant has been dogged by financial troubles and slipping viewership in recent years. It was dropped by ABC last year, leaving Miss America without a network TV contract for the first time since 1954.

[wjersey]

Not that anyone cares.

[Right Wing Assault]

They're worried about reports that the rising ocean will inundate NJ in the next 500 years. Just planning ahead.

[CJ Wolf]

Place holder for the impending photos.

[Xenophobic Alien]

I guess they didn't get my letter telling them to have it at my house..

/sigh

[Dog Gone]

It really is an antique from a quainter and more gentle time. It was kind of a primitive American Idol.

[adamsjas]

It was kind of a primitive American Idol.

Yes, and this move makes it clear they want to shake that image big time. I spoze topless catwalks are next....

[Xenophobic Alien]

[Proud_USA_Republican]

no one cares because miss america is now a boring politically correct snoozefest. One piece grandma bathing suits and no high heels. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....

The one Trump runs that sends the girl to compete in the Miss Universe contest. Now THAT IS A REAL BEAUTY CONTEST!

[Dog Gone]

With all the channel choices today, the talent segment of seeing which young woman could play the accordian the best or toss a baton is just not going to compete. And listening to the final question where each explains how they want to end world hunger or stop oppression was just painful.

But if they did it topless, ratings would soar.

[Tanniker Smith]

Can't wait for the contestants to take their run in the sand along the beach.
"How much longer 'til we get to the water?"

[Moral Hazard]

Why watch the Miss America pageant when you could be watching porn?

[DHak]

just in time for my new job working for Heidi Fleiss!!

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

LOL, do you ever get enough?