Miss America is a beauty pageant which began in 1921 as a bathing contest, which explains the longevity of the (now discontinued) swimsuit portion. The talent segment remains. Other staples associated with the contest in popular memory include the song "There She Is" performed to the winner, longtime host Bert Parks, speeches discussing other interests or concerns about the world, and the emotional final outcome often resulting in tears.
While Miss America's eligibility guidelines include limits based on age and also an expectation that all competitors be human, the Muppet world has managed to establish its own equivalents at various times.
References[]
- Rowlf the Dog expresses his admiration for Lassie in two different The Jimmy Dean Show broadcasts, February 20, 1964 and December 17, 1965, by singing "Here she is, Miss America" as his idol enters.
- In the "Beauty" chapter of Miss Piggy's Guide to Life, Miss Piggy writes dismissively of conventionally pretty faces like any Miss America winner, whose actual visages are not easily remembered.
- The Sesame Street sketch "Letter of the Day Pageant" is an elaborate spoof of the televised Miss America pageant, with Guy Smiley in the Bert Parks role. The winner is the letter E, who sheds a single tear.
- The "Best Cat on Sesame Street" contest is held in Sesame Street Episode 2993. Maria assumes it's a typical pet show, until Chicago discusses his participation in the swimsuit and talent competitions. Chicago wins and is given a Miss America-style cape and crown, and he likewise sheds a tear.
- For the Sesame Street season 33 Number of the Day segment about the number 16, the number appears as though she is a Miss America winner, complete with a pastiche of "There She Is" accompanying her appearance.