The Miss America pageant has been around for 90 years, but a Miss Nebraska had never won the title -- until last night when Teresa Scanlan was announced Miss America 2011.

At 17, Scanlan is also the youngest Miss America since Margaret Gorman, the pageant's first winner, won at the age of 16 way back in 1921.

Scanlan showed her confidence early on in the program. She predicted that she'd win the top prize in a short pre-taped video that was shown after she was announced as the second semi-finalist.

"I'm going to be the next Miss America because I know I can make a difference and change lives and the next Miss America needs to be able to inspire and restore hope," Scanlan said.

After a five-year foray into basic cable, Miss America is returning to ABC in 2011. To welcome the pageant back to its original home -- the first televised Miss America competition aired on ABC in 1954 -- ABC has tapped its own 'Dancing With the Stars' personality Brooke Burke to host the pageant alongside 'The Bachelor' guru Chris Harrison.

By hiring two of its most popular hosts from its two most popular reality show franchises, ABC is probably hoping to breathe life into the aging beauty. After suffering declining ratings, Miss America moved from broadcast to cable, from Atlantic City to Las Vegas, then from CMT to TLC before winding up back at ABC.

Chris Harrison is adding another program to his hosting roster: The Miss America pageant.

The 'Bachelor' and 'Bachelorette' host will emcee the live pageant on Jan. 15, 2011 from Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

"Hosting the Miss America Pageant is a job all TV hosts dream of one day holding," Harrison said in a statement. "It was a thrill to make that dream come true when I hosted the 2004 pageant. It's a true honor to be invited back to host on such a momentous occasion as the 90th anniversary."

In other TV news ...

• Edward James Olmos has booked his first TV role since 'Battlestar Galactica.' According to TV Guide Magazine, Olmos will guest on 'CSI: NY' as a former gang leader who has just gotten out of prison. The episode will air in October.

• Russell Brand is heading to Springfield. The 'Get Him to the Greek' star will voice himself on an episode of 'The Simpsons,' according to TV Guide Magazine. Brand will lend his voice to the episode, 'Angry Dad - The Movie,' alongside Halle Berry and Ricky Gervais.

• 'Glee' star Patrick Gallagher has joined the cast of 'Men of a Certain Age.' According to TheWrap, Gallagher will play a mechanic at the car dealership owned by star Andre Braugher's character. Details are still being hammered out, it's unclear at this time whether Gallagher's role will be recurring.

Once again, Miss America is without a home.

The Wrap is reporting that cable network TLC has decided not to renew its deal with the 89-year-old pageant.

"This year we delivered record ratings, besting any of it's prior performances on cable. However, our three year deal has concluded and we have chosen not to renew. We wish the Miss America Organization well," TLC said in a statement, according to the Wrap.

The 'Miss America Pageant' (Sat., 8PM ET on TLC) added some new twists on the festivities this year. One of those occurred when the remaining 39 contestants voted for the 15th finalist -- Miss Oregon, C.C. Barber. She was so cute and excited as she said, "I am so honored right now!"

By the end of the night, Miss Virginia -- 22-year-old Caressa Cameron -- was crowned Miss America 2010.

Watch the video after the jump.

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.

The Miss America Pageant just can't get a break.

It lost its major network contract a few years ago and went to CMT for two years, and now the show is homeless again. CMT has decided not to renew the contract for the show. Producers are looking for another network for the show.

I have no doubt they'll find another outlet, but I wonder why this show is having so much trouble when The Miss USA Pageant and Miss Universe Pageant get so-so ratings and still get renewed until 2011. Is it because Donald Trump is behind those events? Does Miss America have to be involved in some scandal to get attention? Maybe one of the Miss America contestants can kill a guy with her bare hands, or be photographed coming out of a car without underwear on? How about putting them all on an island?

Readers, lets help the producers out. How can this show compete in this new television landscape?