Pageant show hopes pics flap boosts ratings

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- The furor over topless photos and who would wear Miss North Carolina's crown may give the Miss America Pageant's ratings a much-needed boost.

Producers are hoping all that turmoil -- plus a little more skin and some reality TV-style gimmicks -- will pump up interest in tonight's live, three-hour telecast.

"There certainly has been an increase in awareness. Hopefully, that will translate into viewership," said Bob Bain, executive producer of the telecast, which airs at 7 p.m. on ABC.

The past year's turmoil at the Miss America Organization also includes the chief executives's threat to move the 81-year-old pageant.

The topless picture to-do centered on Miss North Carolina Rebekah Revels, a 24-year-old English teacher who gave up her crown after an ex-boyfriend told pageant executives he had topless photos of her.

Revels claimed she was forced to quit by jittery pageant executives, and unsuccessfully sued to get back the title.

Tonight's pageant will introduce some new gimmicks:

Viewers will be allowed to vote online after each of the three main competitions, though their say will not count toward the selection of Miss America 2003.

Finalists will be subjected to 16 questions about contemporary culture and American history in a "Jeopardy"-style pop quiz.

The swimsuit contest is being expanded from 10 to 15 contestants and moved into the first hour of the show.