Miss America Pageant LIVE THREAD 8pm Eastern ABC Network

Television and Miss America: Over Forty-years of History

A true American institution, the Miss America competition has been broadcast live at one time or another by all three of the country's major television networks and remains one of the highest rated annual events on national television today.

In 2001, the Miss America telecast attracted ABC's largest Saturday night audience since January 29, 2000. Ratings for the telecast improved 7% from the previous year's delivery. In the 81st year of the competition Katie Harman was selected as Miss America and is the first contestant from Oregon to win the title of Miss America.

In 2000, for the first time ever, the pageant was held in October. In an effort to remain competitive for the year, the Organization and ABC agreed that October 14 at 8PM EST would be the best possible time slot. The Organization also celebrated its 80th anniversary, complete with sand sculptures, chocolate displays, and the return of King Neptune.

In 1997 the Miss America Pageant assumed a three-hour time slot, airing from 9 p.m. EDT until midnight and returned to ABC, where it debuted in 1954, enjoying excellent rating reports. The Associated Press noted, "Thanks to Miss America and Michael Jackson, ABC ended NBC's 18-week winning streak atop Neilsen Media Research's prime time television rankings." The Pageant ranked 7th for the week above popular favorites including Friends, Dateline, ER, 20/20, 60 Minutes, NFL Monday Showcase, The Drew Carey Show, and Home Improvement.

In 1996, the Pageant tied with the popular show Touched by an Angel for Top Show of the Week's fifth place, outranking Friends, Dateline, Home Improvement, 3rd Rock from the Sun (Sunday), ER, and Caroline in the City. In 1995, for the first time ever, in celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Miss America, the telecast was broadcast live throughout the 50 states.

In 1954 ABC first televised the Miss America Pageant, capturing the crowning of Lee Meriwether and 39 percent of the television audience. The telecast moved to CBS in 1957 and by 1958 was expanded from 90 minutes to two hours. The ensuing boost in viewership found nearly two-thirds of all American television sets tuned into the show.

In 1966 the Miss America Pageant shifted to NBC and was first telecast in color. To counter this change, CBS scheduled an opening game of the National Football League directly opposite the Pageant program. The final ratings demonstrated that Miss America scored a three to one victory over the game.

1 posted on 09/20/2003 3:47:27 PM PDT by Hillary's Lovely Legs

To: BigWaveBetty; Hillary's Lovely Legs; mountaineer; Timeout; ClancyJ; BlessedAmerican; ...

Find your state and root her on!

2 posted on 09/20/2003 3:48:18 PM PDT by Hillary's Lovely Legs (There is no shame in being poor, just dressing poorly.)

To: Hillary's Lovely Legs

3 posted on 09/20/2003 3:52:54 PM PDT by Leroy S. Mort (Never attribute to malice what can satisfactorily be explained by stupidity.)

To: Hillary's Lovely Legs

My sparkling rhinestone tiara is atop my head, I'm ready

All this and Clay Aiken too....it don't get no bettah!

4 posted on 09/20/2003 3:56:54 PM PDT by YaYa123 (@Hillary Will Not Run In 04, She Said So, I Believe Her...What Kind Of Fool Am I.com)

To: Hillary's Lovely Legs

Here's mine:

Hate the lipstick!

5 posted on 09/20/2003 3:57:32 PM PDT by EllaMinnow

Mine wants to get a doctorate in Classroom Law. What the heck is that?

6 posted on 09/20/2003 4:01:13 PM PDT by Hillary's Lovely Legs (There is no shame in being poor, just dressing poorly.)

To: Hillary's Lovely Legs

Go Tennessee!

"I would like someday to have a wonderful home life and be the CEO of a Fortune 500 company. I'd also like to work with children. I'd prefer it if they were retarded, but that's not really a necessity."

7 posted on 09/20/2003 4:02:32 PM PDT by TheBigB ("Liberalism is a philosophy of sniveling brats." --P.J. O'Rourke)

To: Hillary's Lovely Legs

There will be two tap dancers and one baton twirler. Thank goodness - what's a Miss America contest without a baton twirler.

8 posted on 09/20/2003 4:02:58 PM PDT by MaeWest (.)

9 posted on 09/20/2003 4:04:15 PM PDT by EllaMinnow

To: Hillary's Lovely Legs

Miss Florida:

Platform Issue: Celebrating Cultural Diversity & Inclusiveness

Scholastic Ambition: To obtain a juris doctorate and specialize in entertainment and sports law

10 posted on 09/20/2003 4:07:06 PM PDT by EllaMinnow

To: Hillary's Lovely Legs

11 posted on 09/20/2003 4:07:10 PM PDT by annyokie (One good thing about being wrong is the joy it brings to others.)

To: Hillary's Lovely Legs

Sorry, HLL. I'm not gay. Can't do it. :)

12 posted on 09/20/2003 4:07:27 PM PDT by AppyPappy (If You're Not A Part Of The Solution, There's Good Money To Be Made In Prolonging The Problem.)

To: Hillary's Lovely Legs

What are the early odds? At least it's a beautiful day in New Jersey today. No rain or wind. lol.

13 posted on 09/20/2003 4:08:16 PM PDT by Unknown Freeper

Wait, if you aren't gay, doesn't that mean that you like chicks?

14 posted on 09/20/2003 4:08:34 PM PDT by Hillary's Lovely Legs (There is no shame in being poor, just dressing poorly.)

I'd also like to work with children. I'd prefer it if they were retarded, but that's not really a necessity."

ROFLMAO!

15 posted on 09/20/2003 4:08:36 PM PDT by NautiNurse

To: Hillary's Lovely Legs

Miss Tennessee. Pretty. :)

I went to college with the 1999 Miss Mississippi USA, Angel Whatley. Had a few classes with her and sat next to her at graduation. She was a sweetie.

16 posted on 09/20/2003 4:12:47 PM PDT by TheBigB ("Liberalism is a philosophy of sniveling brats." --P.J. O'Rourke)

To: Hillary's Lovely Legs

No Lord, I'm not into chickens. That was a rumor. I was never there. I have witnesses.

17 posted on 09/20/2003 4:20:19 PM PDT by AppyPappy (If You're Not A Part Of The Solution, There's Good Money To Be Made In Prolonging The Problem.)

To: Hillary's Lovely Legs

Which contestant would be the most politically correct this year?

18 posted on 09/20/2003 4:24:19 PM PDT by Paleo Conservative (Do not remove this tag under penalty of law.)

To: Hillary's Lovely Legs

I need to see the contestants on the stage tonight to know where I would like to stick my root....err...I mean who to root for.

19 posted on 09/20/2003 4:24:49 PM PDT by PJ-Comix (A Stitch In Time Won't Save You A Dime But At Least It Makes This Dopey Saying Rhyme.)

To: Hillary's Lovely Legs

There she is, miscellaneous…

20 posted on 09/20/2003 4:26:54 PM PDT by Keith in Iowa (Tag line produced using 100% post-consumer recycled ethernet packets,)

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