or


[08/31/04 - 12:00 AM]
Judges Are Named for 'Miss America,' Airing Saturday, September 18, on Abc

[via press release from ABC]

JUDGES ARE NAMED FOR "MISS AMERICA," AIRING SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, ON ABC

International supermodel Niki Taylor, actor Phil Maloof ("Las Vegas"), a former New Mexico State Senator and businessman; Miss America 1987 and Christian music artist Kellye Cash and Emmy and Tony Award-winning writer John Weidman ("Assassins") are among those named as judges for "Miss America" this year. The live telecast of the 50th anniversary celebration of the first televised "Miss America" will air SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

This year's judges also will include Lawrence Hamilton, Broadway actor, singer and dancer; Jennifer Hanson, country music singer, songwriter and Miss California 1994; and Barry Phillips, two-time Emmy Award-winning film and television art director, producer and interviewer. All distinguished members in their fields, from entertainment to business to the arts, the judges will evaluate the contestants from the preliminaries through the final night of competition.

As previously announced, in a spectacular, new dramatic finish, the final two contestants will perform in a live talent showdown competition for the judges. The woman with the top cumulative score will be named Miss America 2005.

Chris Harrison, host of ABC's hit romance reality series "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette," will host the telecast - the third-longest-running live entertainment special in television history - for the first time. The glamorous, suspense-filled night will feature some of America's most intelligent, talented and beautiful young women competing for the coveted title now held by Miss America 2004, Ericka Dunlap of Orlando, Florida.

This year's judges, whose backgrounds reflect a wide variety of experiences, include:

* Kellye Cash launched her career as a Christian music artist after her year as Miss America 1987. Currently recording her fifth CD, she has performed with artists such as Lee Greenwood, Bob Hope and her great uncle, Johnny Cash. Kellye resides in Milan, Tennessee with her husband and three children, where she currently co-hosts a regional television program, "Let's Talk Tennessee." She recently played the title role in the musical "Always... Patsy Cline."

* Lawrence Hamilton, a Broadway actor, singer, and dancer, most recently appeared in the Tony Award-winning musical, "Ragtime." His other Broadway credits include "Timbuktu," "Sophisticated Ladies," "Porgy and Bess," "Play On," "Jelly's Last Jam" and "The Wiz." Lawrence has performed with vocal legends such as Lena Horne, as well as served as vocal coach and arranger for many popular artists, including Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, New Kids on the Block, Jordan Knight and Joe McIntyre.

* Jennifer Hanson burst onto the country music scene with her self-titled debut album, which she co-produced, buoyed by her first single, "Beautiful Goodbye," and the catchy "Half a Heart Tattoo." Jennifer held the title of Miss California 1994 and was one of the non-finalist talent winners in the national "Miss America" competition. She is the daughter of Larry Hanson, longtime sideman for the band Alabama, and resides in Nashville with songwriter husband Mark Nesler.

* Phil Maloof has led a truly eclectic life, starting with his position as an executive vice president with Maloof Companies to being a former State Senator in New Mexico. He recently turned to acting, starring in the hit drama "Las Vegas." Phil currently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada where he manages the Maloof Companies, the Sacramento Kings and the Palms Hotel and Casino Property.

* Barry Phillips, a two-time Emmy Award-winner for Art Direction of the Peabody Award-winning PBS series, "Wishbone," has crafted designs for CBS, Oliver Stone, the NFL, Pepsi and LA Magazine, and hosts his own interview series, "Great Americans at BarryPhillips.Net." A magna cum laude TCU graduate with an Honorary Doctorate, Barry is a nominee to the President's Committee on the Arts andHumanities.

* Niki Taylor, one of the most successful international models of all time, has graced the covers of more than 400 magazines worldwide, including Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Allure, Elle, Mademoiselle and Glamour. She has appeared in national advertising campaigns for Liz Claiborne, Nokia, Ellen Tracy, L'Oreal and many others. More recently Niki has established "Begin Enterprises, by Niki Taylor." As the CEO, she will oversee creative for the private label brand that will represent fragrances, cosmetics and clothing.

* John Weidman has authored books for numerous hit Broadway productions, including writing the book for "Assassins," which recently won the Tony Award for Best Musical Revival, as well as the Tony-nominated "Pacific Overtures" and the revival of Cole Porter's "Anything Goes." He also co-created, with Susan Stroman, the Tony Award-winning musical, "Contact." His new musical, "Bounce," premiered last summer at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago and at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Since 1986 he has written for "Sesame Street," receiving 11 Emmy Awards for Outstanding Writing for a Children's Program. He is also President of the Dramatists' Guild of America.

Art McMaster, president and CEO of the Miss America Organization, is an executive producer of ABC's live telecast of "Miss America." Bob Bain returns for his fourth year as executive producer of the telecast. Alan Carter will be the director. (CLOSED-CAPTIONED) (Broadcast in stereo where available)





  [august 2004]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


· BACHELOR, THE (ABC)
· BACHELORETTE, THE (ABC)
· LAS VEGAS (NBC)





[03/27/25 - 11:04 AM]
Part Two of FOX Nation's "Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints" to Roll Out Through the Holy Season
FOX Nation will roll out part two of its hit docudrama series beginning on Friday, April 4 and through the Easter season.

[03/27/25 - 11:00 AM]
"Survivor" Hits Broadcast and Live Streaming Season Highs
The telecast averaged 4.50 million broadcast viewers up +7% from its season-to-date average, and up +13% from its season-to-date average live streaming on Paramount+.

[03/27/25 - 10:06 AM]
All-New Series "Red Bull Soapbox Race" Premieres Tuesday, April 29 at 9PM on Discovery Channel
Hosted by NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. and motorsports announcer Mike Bagley, the series features amateur teams as they design and build one-of-a-kind, gravity-powered soapbox racers that compete - and crash - on intricate, downhill courses.

[03/27/25 - 10:01 AM]
Viral Dating Series "Pop the Balloon" Is Coming Live to Netflix
Yvonne Orji will host the live edition of the series, streaming every Thursday at 8 p.m. ET beginning April 10, only on Netflix.

[03/27/25 - 10:00 AM]
"Jeopardy! Masters" Returns Wednesday, April 30, on ABC, Following New Episodes of Pat Sajak's "Final Spin" as Host on "Celebrity Wheel of Fortune"
Hosted by "Jeopardy!" G.O.A.T. Ken Jennings, the third annual "Jeopardy! Masters" 2025 tournament will feature an expanded lineup of the top-ranked current "Jeopardy!" contestants, each competing in two action-packed games per hourlong episode for the grand prize of $500,000.

[03/27/25 - 09:34 AM]
Lifetime Announces "The 13th Wife: Escaping Polygamy" A Two Part Movie Event Starring Felicity Huffman, Olga Petsa and Eric Johnson Premiering May 31 and June 1
The film is based on the extraordinary true story of Rena Chynoweth (played by Huffman as present day Rena and Petsa as young Rena), a brave survivor and former wife of a manipulative polygamist group leader, who escaped a life of oppression and dedicated herself to freeing others.

[03/27/25 - 09:01 AM]
Award-Winning Chef Andrew Zimmern Returns with an All-New Season of "Wild Game Kitchen" May 3 on FYI
20 all-new episodes will explore the art of creating easy and delicious meals while cooking wild food over open flame.

[03/27/25 - 09:00 AM]
Prime Video Reveals First Look and Premiere Date for "The Better Sister," Starring and Executive Produced by Jessica Biel and Elizabeth Banks
All eight episodes of the limited series produced by Amazon MGM Studios and Tomorrow Studios will premiere on Thursday, May 29 on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

[03/27/25 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Ransom Canyon" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Secrets, love and lies intertwine as rancher Staten Kirkland follows his heart, fights to protect his land and investigates a painful personal loss.

[03/27/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "You" - Series Trailer - Netflix
Joe's story comes full circle to New York, as a family conflict threatens his glamorous marriage and an alluring new crush revives his darkest impulses.

[03/27/25 - 07:01 AM]
Prime Video to Premiere "Octopus!" - A Documentary Special from Phoebe Waller-Bridge on May 8
The documentary, narrated by Waller-Bridge, transports viewers into the otherworldly depths of one of the most intelligent and mysterious life forms on Earth as it follows the Giant Pacific Octopus from birth to death.

[03/27/25 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "Devil May Cry" - Official Lyric Video - Afterlife by Evanescence - Netflix
When a mysterious villain threatens to open the gates of Hell, a devilishly handsome demon hunter could be the world's best hope for salvation.

[03/26/25 - 04:01 PM]
New Netflix Series "Scandals" (wt) Brings a Risque Love Game to the Joseon Era
Set in a time when harboring desires was forbidden, the series depicts characters who challenge the strict order of society and engage in a risqué game of love and temptation.

[03/26/25 - 01:30 PM]
The Hit Freshman Drama Series "Watson" Renewed by CBS for a Second Season for 2025-2026
The series averages 6.79 million viewers each week according to Nielsen season-to-date most current data.

[03/26/25 - 11:08 AM]
New Series "Beer Budget Reno" & New Episodes of "Zombie House Flipping" Premiere this April on A&E!
Everyone dreams of a home makeover, but budgets often get in the way. Enter Kristen Coutts, who specializes in life-changing renovations for those told they can't afford them.