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Saturday, 12 April 2008 |
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 Long decried as dated and sexist, the Miss USA show ceased being a TV event in the late seventies.
As with the Miss Universe pageant, the concept stagnated until the television rights were procured by Donald Trump a few years back; since then, each Miss USA contest has increased in both scale and ratings.
Trump has reportedly stepped up the glitz factor on this year's event, airing for the first time in high definition and hosted by the brother-sister duo of Donny and Marie Osmond.
As in the past, the contestants from the 50 states and the District of Columbia will be judged in the traditional swimsuit, evening gown and interview categories.
The panel of judges will be composed of the usual assortment of semi-celebrities, including actor Rob Schneider, Nip/Tuck's Kelly Carlson and Heather Mills.
Broadcast live from the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, the annual competition of young American womanhood returns.
In a seeming nod to younger viewers, the Canadian alt-rock group Finger Eleven will take the stage and perform.
The show will end with the reigning Miss USA, Rachel Smith, crowning her successor, who will inevitably be trembling and teary-eyed.
Some traditions never, ever die. Globe and Mail, Canada, 11.04.08
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