It is a great clip. Love how the reigning Miss America escorted the former winners on stage. Classy and Regal...unlike the "reality" show it has become. Well when you think about it, Miss America was a classy reality show. Great news that it is moving back to Atlantic City were it belongs!
I remember watching this as a kid thinking how great it would be to have a Miss America who was of African decent. Now as an adult watching this again, I can see that they were setting up America for a Miss America of African decent. Just look at the way they go down memory lane with introducing the past Miss Americas through the years. It is my believe that they wanted to show the evolution of the pageant's idea of beauty in America. Keep in mind, Miss America and the 1st runner up both were of African decent. What do you think?
And they both became Miss America in the SAME year, as Vanessa Williams had to resign and Suzette Charles, who was first runner up, took her place. Both lovely women.
Well actually back in the day, they were strategically placed. And on very good word, at least in 1981, the top 10 did not know until some time on Saturday evening. They were quietly told while everyone else remained in the dark (except TV crew), parents of top 10 were also told, and given/moved to more optional seats for finals if their daughter was in top 10. In my state, for many years, order placement in prelim groups and finals was quite obvious as to who the state was pushing to win!
And surely you must know all the "stories" - watch out for who is in the first group of interviewees, watch out for the Friday night swimsuit winner, watch out for the swimsuit winner who in no way deserves swimsuit, the throwaway talent winner, watch the judges and not the contestants..., I've heard lots of stories from the old days (some still applicable)...maybe you have some too! :-)
This is only partly true. The top ten had to be made known to the production crew so that the live TV broadcast could be "production blocked" and the judges score sheets prepared. As technology improved, they were able to stop having to plan so far in advance. My sister competed in the 1981 Miss American Pageant and she said they did their best to keep the top ten secret until the show but someone always seemed to blab!
oh and by the way; until '86, the top 10 found friday night that they would be in the top 10 the next night; 87 was the first year in which the girls didn't know ahead of time,. check with the MAO if you don't believe me.
well guess what? it is almost without question the prelim interview that guarantees who wins the title; it happened back then and it is still happens today; that interview is just as the word means: it is essentially a job interview to see how a girl will be at answering questions on the spot w/o the questions in advance or any time to think ahead before responding. SInce the prelim interview was instituted at the suggestion of former Ms Am Becky King, there have been winners who dont even win
Is that right? I always wondered why the top 10 showed little genuine surprise in getting called and why they all looked like they were racing to take their semifinalist spots (esp. Ohio who nearly bowled over a couple of contestants). Did the clappers know on Friday night that they were out of the running or was it just the top 10 that was told?
That is the b.s. on your part; where that conspiracy thought comes from is beyond rational thinking and disregards the process of the order in which the have ALWAYS been announced-randomly, by a computer......................Your statement makes a more than subtle insinuation that the MAO organization intervenes in the announcement so that the spot in the top 10 in which a specific character is placed into for the final night gives her a greater chance of the place the MAO wants in the end.
who don't even win any prelim awards, a la talent or swimsuit...so placement in the final has ZERO effect if the interview basically decides the winner....get over it with that damn conspiracy.
Why did all the contestants walk so stiff in those days? That was in the days when little old ladies did the contestants' hair. That's why the hair made the contestants look so much older. Hard to believe they were all college students or recent college grads.
Im here because i just found out im related to Pam Battles Miss Alabama! Cool!
Wow the past Miss America introductions were wonderful, plus no fake tans but they all look beautiful and healthy.
It is a great clip. Love how the reigning Miss America escorted the former winners on stage. Classy and Regal...unlike the "reality" show it has become. Well when you think about it, Miss America was a classy reality show. Great news that it is moving back to Atlantic City were it belongs!
instablaster.
Miss Alabama Pam Battles is gorgeous! All are beautiful.
I remember watching this as a kid thinking how great it would be to have a Miss America who was of African decent. Now as an adult watching this again, I can see that they were setting up America for a Miss America of African decent. Just look at the way they go down memory lane with introducing the past Miss Americas through the years. It is my believe that they wanted to show the evolution of the pageant's idea of beauty in America. Keep in mind, Miss America and the 1st runner up both were of African decent. What do you think?
And they both became Miss America in the SAME year, as Vanessa Williams had to resign and Suzette Charles, who was first runner up, took her place. Both lovely women.
No one came close to Vanessa Williams , not even the 1st runner-up. She’s still a favorite. Removing her was a terrible thing.
Well actually back in the day, they were strategically placed. And on very good word, at least in 1981, the top 10 did not know until some time on Saturday evening. They were quietly told while everyone else remained in the dark (except TV crew), parents of top 10 were also told, and given/moved to more optional seats for finals if their daughter was in top 10. In my state, for many years, order placement in prelim groups and finals was quite obvious as to who the state was pushing to win!
And surely you must know all the "stories" - watch out for who is in the first group of interviewees, watch out for the Friday night swimsuit winner, watch out for the swimsuit winner who in no way deserves swimsuit, the throwaway talent winner, watch the judges and not the contestants..., I've heard lots of stories from the old days (some still applicable)...maybe you have some too! :-)
They saved the best for last.
Love it at 1:24...get outta my way!
Victor TalkingMachine, I know! Cute! :)
A gourgeus group of girls
Miss Ohio represented Alabama in the 1980 MUSA pageant where she placed 3rd RU.
God this is beautiful
This is only partly true. The top ten had to be made known to the production crew so that the live TV broadcast could be "production blocked" and the judges score sheets prepared. As technology improved, they were able to stop having to plan so far in advance. My sister competed in the 1981 Miss American Pageant and she said they did their best to keep the top ten secret until the show but someone always seemed to blab!
oh and by the way; until '86, the top 10 found friday night that they would be in the top 10 the next night; 87 was the first year in which the girls didn't know ahead of time,. check with the MAO if you don't believe me.
I think Lee Meriwether was the most beautiful woman ever.
well guess what? it is almost without question the prelim interview that guarantees who wins the title; it happened back then and it is still happens today; that interview is just as the word means: it is essentially a job interview to see how a girl will be at answering questions on the spot w/o the questions in advance or any time to think ahead before responding. SInce the prelim interview was instituted at the suggestion of former Ms Am Becky King, there have been winners who dont even win
Is that right? I always wondered why the top 10 showed little genuine surprise in getting called and why they all looked like they were racing to take their semifinalist spots (esp. Ohio who nearly bowled over a couple of contestants). Did the clappers know on Friday night that they were out of the running or was it just the top 10 that was told?
Vanessa clearly beautiful
Mary Ann Mobley is stunning
Mary Ann Mobley was the most beautiful woman in the world. And married to that guy on the screen, Gary Collins.
That is the b.s. on your part; where that conspiracy thought comes from is beyond rational thinking and disregards the process of the order in which the have ALWAYS been announced-randomly, by a computer......................Your statement makes a more than subtle insinuation that the MAO organization intervenes in the announcement so that the spot in the top 10 in which a specific character is placed into for the final night gives her a greater chance of the place the MAO wants in the end.
Vanessa Williams!! ☺ She shouldn't have had to give up the crown..
who don't even win any prelim awards, a la talent or swimsuit...so placement in the final has ZERO effect if the interview basically decides the winner....get over it with that damn conspiracy.
Why did all the contestants walk so stiff in those days? That was in the days when little old ladies did the contestants' hair. That's why the hair made the contestants look so much older. Hard to believe they were all college students or recent college grads.
That's because Wilhemina Slater bribed her way through!