52 contestants move into an estate where they will live together and compete over four weeks for the role of the "new" Miss America.
TLC’s new show, Miss America: Reality Check, hosted by Michael Urie of Ugly Betty, gives the annual beauty pageant an upgrade. The 52 contestants will compete as usual, but this year they will spend four weeks prior to the pageant living together. Miss America 2008 will be more relatable, real and inspiring to today’s woman. The top three contestants will each win a $10,000 scholarship courtesy of Crest Whitestrips, and a new wardrobe from Intuition.
The Advisory Board
Throughout the contest, an Advisory Board will observe the girls as they compete in challenges in order to determine which contestants best exemplify what Miss America 2008 is all about.
The Advisory Board members are:
- Dina Sansing, West Coast Editor of US Weekly
- Jeanne Mai, Celebrity Stylist
- Mark Liddell, Celebrity Photographer
The New Miss America
The contestants gathered together for the first time wearing “crown, gown and sash” and were shown a video revealing Americans’ opinions of Miss America which revealed that although Miss America was at one time glamorous, special and stood for something, now she is “too plastic,” and “regurgitates answers like she never had an original thought in her life.”
Stacy and Clinton of “What Not to Wear”
Stacy London and Clinton Kelly from TLC’s What Not to Wear appeared to give their advice on the contents of the girls’ luggage.
“We are here to help modernize that image,” said Stacy.
“We want to take away a little bit of the glitz but add a lot of glamour,” said Clinton.
After Stacy and Clinton left, the advisor team was introduced. Mark’s only piece of advice was, “Less is more.” Michael urged the girls to really pay attention to what the panel had to say.
Contestants Divided Into Teams
The girls were divided into groups. Their task was to determine what they had in common with one another. The teams were:
- Blue Team: “Most State Wins”
- Green Team: “The Recent Contenders”
- Light Blue Team: “Always a Bridesmaid”
- Red Team: “Brown Eyed Girls”
- Purple Team: “The Seniors”
- Pink Team: “Ouch! The Underdogs”
America’s Challenge
The girls had 20 minutes to prepare for an athletic challenge but primped before heading outside. Overseen by Miss America 2007 Lauren Nelson, America’s Challenge tested endurance and intelligence, including a course of hurdles, a puzzle of the United States, identification of the state flag, and a dash to the finish line. The prize was first dibs at the showers.
The advisory panel noticed almost all of the girls were wearing too much makeup. Miss Pennsylvania couldn’t find her state flag, while the rest of her team moved on to the next portion. “Somebody might have taken it,” she insisted. Team “Always a Bridesmaid” won.
Hosting a Dinner Party
Michael announced that a “special guest” would be in attendance. The girls were given an hour to prepare. The guest was “Controversy.” The advisors watched the girls respond to controversial topics like Gay Marriage and Gun Control.
The Advisory Board Discusses the Contestants
Mark said Miss Vermont was modern and had a new way of thinking. Jeanne said Miss Utah emerged as a leader. Dina said Miss Pennsylvania made a huge mistake being unable to identify her state’s flag.
The girls listened as the advisors shared some feedback. Miss South Carolina, Miss Pennsylvania and Miss Utah were named the top three contestants. Miss Vermont, Miss Idaho and Miss Oklahoma were named the bottom three contestants.
Michael warned the girls not to get too confident, as 46 of the girls are somewhere in the middle, which means the advisors didn’t notice them.
Miss America Reality check continues next week when the contestants receive beauty makeovers.
