I don't know what you've been up to today, but this morning I hung out with Kris Jenner—no big deal!

Okay, actually, it was a really big deal! The judges press conference was this morning at 10 AM and I would have to say, it was the best judges press conference I have been to in the 6 (can you believe it?) years that I have been coming to Miss America.

What can I say? Apparently, Lara Spencer and Kris Jenner both wanted to be head judge but, of course, there can only be one. Lara seems like she is just fantastic and really takes the judging process seriously, which I appreciate so much. Other highlights of the press conference include:

*Raul De Molina doing high go-go kicks that Chris Powell taught him.

* Mike Fleiss' very progressive view of what Miss America should be.

* Teri Polo cracking jokes left and right!

I could go on and on about the press conference, but this year, we're going to do more than that. Check out the video below for the highlights of the press conference - I think you might be surprised at what the judges had tos say. I know I was!

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It's all happening you guys! I whirled into Las Vegas this evening, in plenty of time for the first night of preliminary competition! It was lovely, to say the least. I hope you are following us on Twitter for all the updates, news, and information I can possibly give you! I had a blast live-Tweeting the pageant tonight and we have a big day planned tomorrow. The judges press conference is first thing in the AM and I am finally going to get close enough to Mark Ballas to challenge him to a hand jive competition. Well...we'll see if it works out! I am excited to listen to the judges talk about their experience so far! 

There is so much energy and hubbub happening here, it's wonderful! I ran into some people from Good Morning America and they start filiming at 2:30 AM - whoa! They offered to let me come along, but we all know a pagaeant girl needs her beauty sleep!

Hey - what should I ask the judges tomorrow? What are your burning questions?

I can’t believe I haven’t weighed in on the 2012 judges panel yet! Where does the time go? 

As you all know, the panel was announced last week. Check it out here.

As always, the panel did spark a bit of controversy. Some people aren’t happy with the panel, and that’s okay! Kris Jenner was certainly a surprise to me and while I don’t necessarily think she’s the greatest person alive, I am more than a little curious to see if her daughters come to the pageant. I want to see them in person, I can’t help it! 

I don’t have a lot to say about the individual panel members – I think that MAO team will train them well in the scoring system and they will pick a lovely girl out of the 53 lovely contestants. But, the panel debate did spark another debate in my head.

Is there such a thing as a pageant expert?

If a pageant was so moved —and I am talking local, state, or the national Miss America pageant—could they find a panel of judges who were confirmed pageant experts? And would that panel be able to pick the “perfect” titleholder?

I’m not entirely sure I think this is possible. I have judged pageants myself, and I would not call myself a pageant expert. I am well versed in the scoring system and I understand what the job of a titleholder is (although each title does have its own requirements), and there are certain subjects I have studied—but I'm not an expert. I feel confident about the titleholders I have helped choose regardless of me being an expert, or not.

Of course, there are people out there who have judged hundreds of pageants, and perhaps they are being closer to an expert than I am. But the judges aren’t the only part of the equation—the contestants and their performance comes into play. How they perform is the focus, obviously, and nerves / mood / etc. affect that.

I don’t think there is such a thing as a pageant expert. I think the best you can do, if you are choosing a panel, is pick people you trust and admire. Then train them on the scoring system and the job you are asking them to fill. From there, it’s really up to the contestants.

What do YOU think?

Oh man, you guys. January 14 is SO CLOSE. I can barely stand how excited I am to attend the pageant again this year and meet our new Miss America! I love making new Miss America memories each year, and a lot of them revolve around the music in the show. Whenever I hear the Black Eyed Peas, I automatically think of Miss America!

I'm anxious to see what music they are using for the production this year – I would love to hear something contemporary (like the Black Eyed Peas) this year. I'm a Lady Gaga fan, but I don't know that it's music that goes with pageant productions. What are some of YOUR suggestions for the Miss America production numbers?