Boomer's Edge: Youth And Cuteness

Boomer Esiason is a sports star, a former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback who will soon be giving on-air football commentary with Al Michaels and Dan Dierdorf.

But that's not the whole story on why he got the job of co-hosting the 78th annual Miss America Pageant.

Why Esiason? He's young, cute, and already part of ABC's lineup as an analyst for Monday Night Football beginning this fall, said Miss America Pageant CEO Leonard Horn,
who plans to retire after this year's pageant.

Esiason, 37, will be paired with The View co-host Meredith Vieira at the Sept. 19 pageant.

Esiason's presence won't be the only new twist in the telecast. Producers are promising a surprise ending in which the new Miss America, after being crowned and walking the runway, will "immediately assume her first public role onstage." Producers wouldn't elaborate.