Is the Miss America Competition - which airs tonight on ABC - an institution still relevant in the 21st century? I don't really know but they are sure trying:

Speedo today announced a two-year sponsorship making it the official swimsuit of the Miss America Competition. The 2004 Miss America contestants will wear the new Speedo Sport collection during ABC's telecast live from Atlantic City, on September 18, from 9-11 p.m., marking Miss America's 50th year on television. Last year's telecast was seen by 14 million viewers.

During the main swimsuit competition, the women will be wearing either a one-piece or two-piece suit of their choice from the Speedo Sport collection. The high-end range is a unique fusion of athleticism and fashion. It is designed using SpeedoSculpture, an exclusive sensual power fabric that sculpts, supports and defines the body. Black serves as the background for an explosion of bright, bold colors. Speedo Sport swimwear will be available in select retailers this fall with a suggested retail price from $84-98. Additionally, the 52 contestants will wear a suit from the Speedo Beach collection called Surf's Up in select production numbers during the preliminaries and the finals.

And the results? Miss Florida:

Er, um, success. Miss Louisiana:

Miss Utah:

She doesn't look like any Mormons I know - they had talent competitions and whatnot also, in case anyone cares, but no one does.

So anyway, the finals are tonight:

A DRAMATIC, FIRST-EVER TALENT SHOWDOWN BETWEEN THE FINAL TWO CONTESTANTS WILL HIGHLIGHT "MISS AMERICA," SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, LIVE ON THE ABC TELEVISION NETWORK

A Night of Broadcast "Firsts" Marks the 50th Anniversary of the First Telecast Of This Celebrated American Tradition,
Which Also Aired on ABC

Chris Harrison, Host of ABC's Hit "The Bachelor,"
To Serve as Host of "Miss America" for First Time

Live Backstage Reports Will Give Viewers Unprecedented Access
To the Contestants as They Prepare to Compete

In a spectacular, new dramatic finish to this year's "Miss America" telecast, the last two contestants will perform their talent in a final, live talent showdown competition-in one last effort to capture the coveted title of Miss America 2005, as the 50th Anniversary of the first televised "Miss America" is celebrated, live, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET), from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on the ABC Television Network.

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

I can't see any of this quite the same way after experiencing Miss Congeniality, hilarious and touching at the same time: one of Sandra Bullock's best.