2011 Miss America Pageant at Planet Hollywood on Jan

The first night of preliminary competition in the 2011 Miss America Pageant at Planet Hollywood on Jan. 11, 2011.

Miss America Pageant officials revealed yesterday that they were far from happy with last year’s reality TV series, but admitted that it renewed interest in the aging pageant and helped get it back on national network TV.

“We may not have liked that reality show. The 90th anniversary pageant is live from Planet Hollywood this Saturday night. Six years ago, before we moved out of Atlantic City to Las Vegas, the Miss America crown had become tarnished. The jewel no longer sparkled. We love Las Vegas, and we love being at Planet Hollywood. It’s really a great relationship that’s worked really well.” Sam promised that this year’s telecast will be hip, younger and even more relevant. The future of Miss America depended on that. Two giant video screens flank the stage to show stills of olden day swimsuit and evening gown competitions at the same time as live shots of this year’s contestants strut their stuff.

“We have big production numbers this year,” Sam continued. Sam addressed the diversity of this year’s judges, from sassy comedienne Joy Behar to actress Marilu Henner to Desperate Housewives creator and producer Marc Cherry and Dancing With the Stars professional dancer Tony Dovolani. Onstage last night for the first time in front of a crowded theater, the ladies looked glam in sparkling short cocktail outfits, sexy black bikinis and elegant gowns. The opening dance number is hot and fun with Rockettes precision. Record producer David Foster should race here to sign them.

The other scholarship winner was Miss Hawaii Jalee Fuselier for the swimsuit fitness portion. ur Miss Nevada Cris Crotz had the last words: “I love the fact that Miss America is staying put in Las Vegas. Miss America is the absolute elite of all pageants. It’s cool, hip, classy and not the typical girls associated with other pageants.

The milestone 90th Anniversary Miss America Pageant receives a very special recognition Friday as 46 previous winners join this year’s 53 contestants to resume a long-ago beloved tradition

Our Merry Mayor of Mirth Oscar Goodman has proclaimed Saturday as “Miss America Day” in Las Vegas. Cathy Tull, vice president of marketing at the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, will this Friday read the proclamation, which encourages all “citizens of Las Vegas to welcome the participants and organizers of this fabulous event to our fine city.”

It’s been renamed the DSW Show Us Your Shoes Parade recognizing Designer Shoe Warehouse as the title sponsor of the ABC live telecast Saturday from Planet Hollywood’s Theater for the Performing Arts.

A total of 99 elegant ladies -- 53 contestants and 46 Miss Americas -- will walk the state-themed parade of shoes -- from peanut-covered shoes from Miss Georgia to the Hollywood signed adorning Miss California’s feet to a couture tomato costume worn by Miss New Jersey -- that starts at noon Friday at the Paris.

Perhaps the most compelling competitor this year will be Miss Delaware, Kayla Martell, who suffers from alopecia areata, a condition that causes people afflicted to lose much of their hair.
Miss Jaclyn and her never-ending legs bring the sunshine as she hopes to bring home the crown to the sunshine state
While gentleman may prefer blonds are next contestant is a stunning brunette.  Those island gals always have an advantage in the bikini comp.  She was named the preliminary winner and received a $1,ooo college scholarship

Good luck to all the girls looking to be crowned Miss America 2011!