Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Columnist John Katsilometes: Taking in a night at the improv with Miss America host James Denton

Fabulous Las Vegas runs Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday in the Las Vegas Sun. Reach John Katsilometes at [email protected] or at (702) 259-2327 or (702) 812-9812.

To the right of my seat at the Aladdin Theatre of Performing Arts was the arena stage, occupied by a bevy of Miss America contestants (including eventual winner Miss Oklahoma, Jennifer Berry) and pageant host James Denton.

The my left was a giant teleprompter glowing with the words Denton was supposed to say. He said most of them, rarely botching a syllable, but he did deviate from the prepared script for a show that went out live (except for on the West Coast) Saturday night on CMT.

A sampling of Denton's forays into improv:

-- After reading the names of nine of the top 10 semifinalists, he said, "We will announce the final name right after this commercial break. (Pause) Just kidding. I don't want to 'Seacrest' you.' " A reference to "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest.

-- After a report from correspondent Lance Smith, assigned to a Miss America party (certainly a wild experience if there ever was one) in Scarborough, Maine, in which Smith asked fellow partiers who they thought won the swimsuit competition and was ignored, Denton intoned, "Wow. That was extremely helpful."

-- In introducing Miss Hawaii Malika Dudley as winner of the Miss Congeniality award (returned to the show for the first time since 1974), Denton, co-star of "Desperate Housewives," said of the contestants, "They really like each other and get along together -- just like the women on my show."

There has been no announcement if Denton will return next year, but he seemed to enjoy the role -- starting by saying, "Vegas, baby, Vegas." Earlier in the week he said he might take to the role again, commenting, "The way guys are dropping on 'Desperate Housewives,' I may need the work."

More from the pageant:

The capacity audience much resembled a crowd from a sporting event, as early every state had its own rooting section, with fans carrying signs and photos of their favorite contestant. Early in the show (before the field was whittled from 52 to 10) clusters of fans shouted "New York! New York!" and "Utah! Utah!" One clever sign hanging from the balcony, amid state and contestant, names, read: "CMT -- Chasing My Tiara."

A sign of the pageant's money woes was that this year's winner received $30,000 in scholarship money, down from $50,000 a year ago.

Two contestants were from Las Vegas, but not from the same state. Crystal Wosik represented Nevada and Ane Cristal Romero of Las Vegas, N.M., was Miss New Mexico.

NoteMart

Great reception: If Dallas Cowboys cornerback Everson Walls could have tracked Dwight Clark as diligently as I did Saturday at the Desert Passage mall at the Aladdin, "The Catch" would not have happened. I cut off a pedi-cab to grab the former 49er great, who was on his way to a memorabilia signing show and was moving undisturbed until I rushed up.

Clark asked about the pageant and said, "If you see Jerry, tell him I said hello." He was referring to Jerry Rice, a celebrity judge at the pageant. I could not deliver the message, but I can report that Clark will be at Blondie's sports bar at Desert Passage today (the 25th anniversary of "The Catch") from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. ...

Can I keep the can, too?: The marquee at the Rampart Casino at the Resort at Summerlin promises $5 of free gas for every new club member ...

A weigh out: A casting call is being held today from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for NBC's "The Biggest Loser," which offers those who are a bit heavier than pleasantly plump the opportunity to undergo a radical physical makeover without surgery. "Outgoing, charismatic and candid people with great personalities" are what producers are looking for, according to a release ...

With the late, great Barry White playing over the car stereo: We salute the owner of the white Honda Accord parked at Palace Station bearing the plate, "DR LOVE." We'll even forgive the Oakland Raider license-plate frames.

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