Once proud Miss America pageant survives on cable

Remember when the Miss America Pageant was a major event on the national television candle? The folks at TLC want it to be that kind of show again.

If you were born anywhere around the late 80s, you probably don't. But, throughout the 50s into the 80s, the annual televised event was more than just entertainment. It was news. And the winner, whether it was Lee Meriweather, Phyllis George or Vanessa Williams, had a shot at becoming a major celebrity.

But now? Name the current Miss America. Quickly. Don't look it up. Name last year's winner. Name any of the last five. Case closed. While it was once a proud contest/variety show, Miss America show is now overshadowed by other "rags to riches" battles like American Idol, America's Got Talent, etc. To get Miss America back on the pop culture map, the show's producers are mixing up the judges with a surreal mix of faces from through the media.

For example, Rush Limbaugh is one of the judge's this year. Regardless of your take on current events and Limbaugh's radio show, you don't think "beauty" when you think Limbaugh. He's a talented, natural broadcaster and a dedicated student of politics and history. But, you don't associate him with "lookers" -- or women, for that matter.

And you can add Vivica Fox, Paul Rodriguez, Dave Koz, Brooke White and Katie Harman (one of the winners you couldn't name) to that mix. I'm left to ask if that's a judge's panel or a selection of future Match Game stars.

You can judge for yourself when the pageant airs at 8 p.m. ET/PT, January 30.