stephbg | Miss Universe 2010: A comparison

Much to Husband's dismay I watched the Miss Universe 2010 broadcast this evening. Some things have changed since the last time I paid any real attention. And when was that? Not a clue, but here are some thoughts*.

It was staged in Las Vegas, and I kept expecting it to turn into an episode of CSI and cut to a pile of glitter-clad bloody bodyparts. After I while I *really* hoped it would turn into an episode of CSI.

The hostess was seen to nudge the host a few times to make his cues. She was most definitely in charge.

Some parts of the "live" show were shot with a minimal audience, so it was fun to try and catch the edges of shots where they didn't quite manage to frame out rows of empty seats. Unlike later in the show, shots of enthused audience members all came from the same small part of the auditorium, and were tightly framed.

Good to see horse riding, water sports, helping crippled children, and helping injured wildlife are all still represented on the lists of hobbies.

Notably absent were the academic achievements: no Masters degrees in political science, or qualified nurses, or Masters degrees in nursing. Looks like they've all given up and admitted they're models and orphans.

No-one mentioned World Peace! Not once!

They didn't show the national costumes! WTF! I saw the stills online but I wanted to see those things move baby.

No-one fell over. At best there was one skirt hitch and maybe a couple of step-descending heel wobbles.

I was surprised (mildly) by the lack of variety in hairstyles--it's long and wavey or it's nothing--but more so by the variety of body shapes. I had no idea that tall, thin, and leggy came in so many varieties of tiny waist measurement and optional breasts. Breasts are good.

The contestants did a lot more talking than the last time I watched. Back then their eerie silence was one of the more interesting, albeit creepy (therefore interesting) parts of the broadcast. Granted the talking was done in video packages so the actual "live" talking was still limited to The Final Question, but I felt this lessened the OMG-they-speak! impact considerably.

I like shiny gowns. It's not a crime. But the majorly heavy earrings hurt just to look at.

No-one seemed to cry at the end, or pull those gapingly huge (and generally tearful) I-can't-believe-it faces. Hardly any unbelievable hand clutching, waving, or hugging amongst the defeated. I had hopes for maybe fainting or vomiting, but I guess they'd cover that up.

(*) I wouldn't check the actual facts if I were you.