Top Producer, Director for MISS AMERICA on TLC

GRAMMY, EMMY WINNERS TO HELM 2008 MISS AMERICA LIVE!

-- Jan. 26 Event on TLC to Conclude Miss America Reality Series –

LOS ANGELES and ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.– TLC has teamed Grammy Award-winning producer Anthony Eaton and Emmy Award-winning director Bruce Gowers to helm the all-new 2008 MISS AMERICA LIVE! event, the stunning conclusion to TLC’s Miss America reality series. In its first year on TLC, the show will air live from Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas on Saturday, January 26 from 8-10 PM ET/PT (tape-delayed).

The announcement was made today by Brant Pinvidic, senior vice president of programming for TLC. “We are thrilled to have two of the best talents in the business working on this landmark television special,” said Pinvidic. “They share our creative vision for reinventing this American classic and combining their innovative styles will yield an incredible live event.”

Sam Haskell, III the Miss America Organization’s Chairman of the Board remarked upon Eaton’s award winning experience and cutting-edge style. “We have reinvigorated the Miss America brand and are delighted to have TLC as our new television partner to debut MISS AMERICA LIVE! on their network,” he said. “With the combined efforts of TLC and my friends, Tony Eaton and Bruce Gowers, we are confident that our 87-year tradition will be presented in a completely innovative and unprecedented manner.”

As produced by Eaton and directed by Gowers, the 2008 MISS AMERICA LIVE! is a new kind of competition. Designed to find the smartest, most talented and most stylish woman from among the 52 finalists, the 2008 Miss America will truly define a trend-setting modern American woman. To see how the competition will be enhanced, and get to know each contestant as she pursues the crown, viewers can watch TLC’s MISS AMERICA companion reality series that culminates with the MISS AMERICA LIVE! finale.

Anthony Eaton is the head of Tall Pony Productions, the genius behind major network specials like “Fashion Rocks,” “Tsunami Aid: A Concert of Hope,” and “The 6th Annual Radio Music Awards.” His long roster of television credits include “David Bowie: Serious Moonlight,” and “Tim McGraw: Reflected,” among others. He has worked with such stars as Usher, Madonna, Janet Jackson and Cher on their DVD endeavors. Eaton is the beneficiary of several awards, including three Grammy Awards and two NAACP Image Awards, among others.

A two-time Emmy Award® recipient, Gowers, who is best known for directing the FOX hit “American Idol,” relocated to the US in the late 1970’s after garnering international acclaim for the landmark “Bohemian Rhapsody” video for Queen. His directing credits include television shows such as “So You Think You Can Dance” and “Celebrity Duets.” He has directed numerous awards shows, including “The Primetime Emmy Awards” and specials for artists including Prince, The Rolling Stones and others. Gowers is the recipient of a Directors Guild of America award, multiple ACE and Monitor Awards and an NAACP Image Award, among others.