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Miss America Pageant 1981 (September 1980)
Hearing Susan Powell sing The Telephone Aria reminded me of her voice teacher at Oklahoma City University. Florence Birdwell passed away in February 2021 and was probably one of the most renowned voice teachers in America. She taught for 67 years at OCU and her students not only included Susan Powell, but Kristin Chenoweth and Kelli O'Hara, both Tony award winners. Three Miss Americas attended Oklahoma City University (Jayne Jayroe MA 1967, Susan Powell MA 1981, and Shawntel Smith MA 1996) and it is known locally as Miss America University.
Miss Colorado Kim Christiansen is still on the air in Denver KUSA channel 9 she's one of the two main anchors.
Still smoking hot!
Alabama was robbed!
Roy Ely is so damn sexy!!! <3
18:27 So funny…Hi, Shortstuff; hi, Tallstuff!
Lencola Sullivan should have won.
Didn’t realize the actress in this! One of our hometown girls was first runner up in this. I remember watching this so vividly! But Brenda strong is a pretty famous actress
Miss New Jersey was SMOKIN HOT!
They should have had Debbie Harry do this instead of Chic. With her dark roots and ripped up dresses – THAT would have been hilarious! 😂 Debbie would have probably behaved herself though and been respectful.
Niles Rogers oh you did not! 😂
I remember this year as the 1st Miss America I watched as a child because Miss Delaware was a high school classmate of my dad's cousin.
All these vintage Miss America pageants had a least one live blooper. Here, at about 13:00, look at Dorothy Benham s expression when she realizes she's on camera prematurely.
Yes I was 21
This pageant was once fun, modest, beautiful and patriotic. Now its a PC mess busy virtue signalling that it gets more irrelevant every year. Viewership confirms it too.
I think Ron Ely did a fine job. Bert nearly ruined the finale of the 80 pageant, making 3 noticeable mistakes in his announcements. Ely spoke well, was handsome, and charming. Plus, he didn't paw all over his female cohosts like Parks did.
Ron Ely didn't have the charisma of Bert Parks. Bert may have been old school and slightly corny, but he fit the pageant like a favorite, comfy easy chair. Getting rid of him was the first blunder in a long line of mistakes by the Miss America organization. Great top ten that year, though. Miss Arkansas should've won in my opinion.
Ron Ely was a total disaster as Host. I can’t figure out why he was chosen. Chuck Woolery was hosting Wheel of Fortune on NBC in 1980 would have been a better host or even Peter Marshall. Both could sing and were accomplished at hosting programs. Ely bought down the program which had a nice top ten of semi finalists.
They should have kept Bert Parks for as long as they could.
A Bit of History. This year was the first time African American contestants won Preliminary awards (Miss Arkansas – Lencola Sullivan – Swimsuit) and (Miss Washington – Doris Hayes – Talent). ALSO the first time an African-American contestant placed as a runner up (Miss Arkansas – Lencola Sullivan).
Thank you so much! I was Miss Alaska & have never seen it. Is there a clearer copy somewhere for sale?
Moar Miss America stuff plz!
Miss Texas Teri Eoff went on to star in daytime soaps most notably on Search for Tomorrow as Suzy Wyatt. And Miss Arizona Brenda Strong went on to star on among other things Desperate Housewives.
Miss West Virginia is the aunt of murdered child beauty queen Jon-Benet Ramsey.
Awesome! Thank you for posting this one! My copy skips towards the end.
Any more pageant videos? First comment.