All of your observations are nothing compared to Ireland's 'Rose of Tralee 1994' a combination of Miss World, X-factor and Ireland's Got Talent with the entry requirements that the contestants must be:
* Female
* Must have an Irish grandparent
So typically there'd be:
Miss Rose of Tralee, Hong Kong
Miss Rose of Tralee, Brisbane
Miss Rose of Tralee, Honolulu
competing alongside
Miss Rose of Tralee, Dingle
Miss Rose of Tralee, Cork
The one I saw was compered by Gay Byrne who despite being a media biggie at the time, fluffed his lines and forgot to mention the major sponsor of the competition. The bizarre capering of the contestants was rounded off when the winner's grandmother's glasses became entangled in the winner's tiara and assistance was required to release the two from the headlock
I defy anyone to judge a competition where the talent element included:
How to hit a hockey ball properly
A teary eyed monologue about the sinking of the Titanic
Demonstration of some martial arts' manoevres
Some irish dancing.
Furthermore, the contest was two full evenings' worth of viewing. It was so bad it was compulsive viewing. It's worth going to Ireland to see it on RTE - it's a shame it's not screned here.
