Here She Comes, Miss Reality TV Star

So it looks like Miss America is joining the reality TV craze. According to this article, in an effort to gain more viewers, the pageant is going to air a seven hour documentary following the 52 Miss America contestants as they prepare for the competition. And the viewers will get to vote on which contestants should advance in the pageant (it is unclear how much weight these votes will carry).

This actually could be interesting. I remember watching a similar show on E! television years ago--the network followed three contestants through the competition (or maybe it was through the Miss USA pageant). Of course, I now can find no proof of this online, but believe me, it aired and I watched. I learned all sorts of interesting things, like a good way to shrink the appearance of cellulite is to slap some Preparation H on your thighs, vaseline might taste bad but it ensures your upper lip won't stick to your teeth, and double stick tape not only helps to push your breasts together, it can also lift your butt a few inches.

It could be illuminating to learn why some women spend so much effort competing in these pageants. Is it because of crazy parents who forced them to dress up like adults and ride the pageant circuit from the age of three? Is it the thrill of competition? Do they just love wearing sequined dresses and Aqua Net? Is it actually for the scholarship money?

Of course, if this documentary is produced by the same producers of Miss America, I doubt we will see anything that puts the pageant itself in an unflattering light. But who knows, something interesting might slip in. The Miss America coordinators claim that this show will lead the ratings for the pageant itself to go "through the roof."

Unfortunately, I don't think they realize it is airing on the Country Music Channel. Oh well.