Monday, December 21, 2015

Royal mistake

As some of you may know, I was emcee of the Miss Minnesota pageant this past June. Having never been in that role previously, I wasn't sure what to expect.

One of the responsibilities which had me fretting for a couple of weeks leading up to the pageant was when the time would come for me to announce the winner of Miss Minnesota. Basically I was concerned I would announce the wrong contestant as winner. As I verbalized that concern, I was assured by previous emcees that it is very plainly written out by the auditors the order of the top 5, so there should be no issues. Nevertheless, it was an irrational fear that plagued me until the ultimate moment arrived.





Yes, Rachel Latuff was the legit winner of Miss Minnesota 2015.

But even if I had called Lauren Johnson's name, I could have at least taken some solace in the fact it wasn't done in front of millions of people.

I guess that's why I feel just awful for the host of last evening's Miss Universe pageant.

For a moment, all was right with the universe for Miss Colombia. Indeed, Ariadna Gutierrez Arevalo had just been crowned Miss Universe on national television in Las Vegas by co-host Steve Harvey — the pinnacle of any pageant contestant’s career.

Then, quickly and devastatingly, her dream died. It turned out Harvey had read the wrong name.

“Okay, folks,” said Harvey, clad in a white tuxedo with a red-and-white polka dot bow tie as Miss Colombia waved to a cheering crowd, said. “I have to apologize.”

The crowd erupted again — perhaps expecting one of Harvey’s patented slow-burn bits. But this was no joke.

“The first runner-up is Colombia,” Harvey said.

Miss Colombia looked ready to kill — as it suddenly dawned on Miss Philippines, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, that she, the former first runner-up, had actually won the night. The incredibly awkward outcome: Miss Colombia was uncrowned, and Miss Philippines crowned.

“I will take responsibility for this,” Harvey said. “It was my mistake. It was on the card. Horrible mistake, but the right thing — I can show it to you right here. The first word is ‘Colombia.’ It is my mistake.”





In this day and age, sentiments can reach even more millions of people via Twitter, which Harvey took to within an hour of the pageant's conclusion.






For what it's worth, I accept Harvey's apology.

On a side note, some hilarity ensued.






Oh well, if anyone is equipped to endure the fallout from this, it's a professional comedian. Dunno if he'll make it part of his act anytime soon however.
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