Miss Virginia Caressa Cameron and Miss America 2010: Cameron Wins $50,000 Scholarship Amidst Sliding Ratings

Miss Virginia Caressa Cameron is Miss America 2010. Despite popular beliefs, Caressa Cameron will not go on to the Miss Universe competition. Miss America and Miss USA are two pageants that typically get confused. The former is really a "scholarship" competition whereas the latter is a beauty pageant. Still yet, Miss Virginia is likely very happy with her $50,000 scholarship that will be used to further her studies.

Miss America 2010 had 53 contestants: one from each of the 50 states, plus competitors from Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Washington, DC. The seven judges included Viveca Fox and Rush Limbaugh, which made for a very interesting night.

Despite the interesting night and the hype surrounding the annual event, ratings have been slipping in recent years. In 1991, there were over 26 million viewers that tuned in to the show. This year, the show only brought in only 3.5 million viewers.

To put this in perspective, the finale of "Jon and Kate Plus 8" brought in 4.32 million viewers, according to TV By the Numbers.

So why is it that Miss America is experiencing declining ratings? Has there been a shift in cultural beliefs and trends in the US?

I think so. Prior to recent years, there were limited ways for women to obtain funding for their education. The Miss America pageant was one of the larger scholarships available. In addition, women's role in society was different at the time as well. Whereas more and more women are in the board room and in jobs traditionally held by men today, in the past women stayed home.

We also have more "entertaining" television available. Reality TV shows are among the most popular means of entertainment. In addition, there are numerous ways for people to look at beautiful women. Finding and enjoying seeing a beautiful woman in a bathing suit is as easy as clicking a mouse.

What is the future of the Miss America pageant? The last generation of girls that grew up watching the show with sparkles in their eyes is starting to reach the age where they can become contestants. If the same interest isn't shared, interest in the program will continue to wane over time. Will one of the most historically popular specials of the year go away altogether? Only time will tell.

For now, Miss America 2010 has been crowned, and she will spend the next year honoring her contract with the show. She will also be able to further her studies and better her life, which is the basic premise of the pageant to begin with.

Source:

TV By Numbers

UPI.com