Awww, Who Needs Talent?

Say goodbye to seeing Miss America contestants showing off their ... talents. Pageant officials have pulled the plug on airing each of the contestants performing their routines.

Instead, this year's event will showcase some of the women performing in a videotaped montage edited from talent routines staged in preliminary competition. And, just one contestant of the 52 chosen by the pageant's producers will perform live.

The CEO of the pageant said changes had to be made after last year's competition was the lowest-rated ever. Last year, an all-time low 10 1/3 million viewers tuned in, marking a steady decline over the last few years.

The 2000 Miss America winner called the decision a "tragedy."

Most typical in the past were the baton twirlers, opera singers and piano players. But through the years, contestants have ridden horses on stage, stomped on broken glass, jumped on trampolines or driven tractors.

ABC-TV is trimming the telecast to two hours this year. It airs Sept. 18.

Author: NBC10/AP