Miss America to become reality series

Well, sort of. They're not getting rid of the actual live pageant, which will air again on CMT in 2007. This time however, the contestants will also take place in a seven part reality series which will lead up to the pageant. The way it sounds, the reality series will utilize many of the same methods of elimination as the actual pageant as the girls live together and take place in swimsuit competitions, judge interviews, and various talent contests. Home viewers will also be able to vote for the remaining finalists.

I'm not a fan of reality TV, nor do I care all that much about the Miss America pageant, but this idea just might work. The pageant has been losing its audience for several years, and turning it into the kind of calculated human drama that is the stuff of so many reality shows may actually garner the audience it needs. Or, it could be a total failure. I'm sure it will be one of those things.