`Mrs. America Pageant' Airs Nationwide on PAX-TV Oct. 8; Contestants Spotlighted in Carol Wior Swimwear.

Entertainment/Lifestyle Editors & Fashion Writers

HONOLULU--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Sept. 20, 2000

When the curtain goes up on the 24th annual nationally televised "Mrs. America Pageant," all 50 contestants will be spotlighted in swimwear from inventor/designer Carol Wior.

Emanating from the spectacular Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu, the telecast will be seen nationwide on the PAX-TV Network on Sunday, Oct. 8, from 9 to 11 p.m. (ET/PT) and repeated on Sunday, Oct. 15, from 4 to 6 p.m. (ET/PT), it was announced by David Marmel, president of Mrs. America Pageant Productions and executive producer of Marmel Entertainment.

Wior, whose brand name has revolutionized the swimwear industry, is the inventor of the patented "Slimsuit" which takes an inch or more off the waist and stomach just by slipping it on. The Carol Wior "Slimsuit" is also packaged with a tape measure so customers can see the measurable difference.

"Carol Wior has created one of the most remarkable swimsuits that gives thousands of women around the world a feeling of style and glamour all at once," Marmel said. "We're very pleased to have her as part of our program this year."

Wior will present a check for $10,000 to be divided equally among the Top 10 finalists. In addition, each contestant will receive a special Carol Wior swimwear wardrobe and an offer to participate as a "Mrs. America of the Month" in the Carol Wior 2001 Slimsuit Calendar.

"I feel each of the Top 10 finalists is a winner, and I would like to acknowledge their achievements in the competition," said Wior, who will also serve as a celebrity judge for the event.

Co-hosts of this year's "Mrs. America Pageant" are "Downtown" Julie Brown, of MTV fame, and John Burke, host on A&E Movie Classics.

Along with Wior, one of the celebrity judges will be Emmy-winning TV producer Al Masini, who created/produced "A Woman Called Golda," "Sadat" and "A Woman of Substance." His hit syndicated series include "Entertainment Tonight," "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," "Solid Gold" and "Star Search."

Also judging will be world-renowned actor George Lazenby, who became an international film star when he landed the coveted role of James Bond in "Her Majesty's Secret Service." Lazenby went on to star in many other films including "Never Too Young to Die," "The Man from Hong Kong," "In the Name of the Queen" and "Universal Soldier." Most recently he has been starring in the TV series "The Pretender."

Also judging is Elizabeth Lindsey-Buyers, who was first recognized for her work as an actress in the award-winning ABC series "China Beach." In addition to completing four feature films with Warren Beatty, Andy Garcia and Chow Yun Fat in the past four years, Lindsey-Buyers directed, produced and co-wrote "Then There Were None," a documentary film.

The final judge is David Mirisch, who operates an international promotional firm. Over the years, Mirisch has handled public relations for more than 500 personalities including Merv Griffin, Omar Sharif, Johnny Mathis, Pat Boone, Lindsay Wagner, Raquel Welch and The Supremes.

"Celebrating its 24th anniversary, the `Mrs. America Pageant' is the only nationally televised pageant for America's 60 million married women," Marmel stated. "Each of the 50 contestants earns the right to participate in the national event by winning her statewide competition. The winner of the coveted Mrs. America Pageant crown will make personal appearances throughout the United States."

Mrs. America will also represent the United States in the Mrs. World Pageant.

The telecast is produced by Tri-Crown Productions under the supervision of Director/Producer Jeff Androsky. Christine Blake is the producer, and Carol Sherman is president and chief executive officer of Tri-Crown Productions.

Wior's entrepreneurial tenacity in inventing the "Slimsuit" has made her one of the four percent of business patent holders in the United States who are women.

In addition to numerous local and national TV talk show interviews and appearances, Wior appears frequently on cable TV's highly rated Home Shopping Network, and is even introduced with "Hollywood star status." "If customers don't call in within a few minutes, the sold-out sign instantly appears on her `Slimsuit' styles," says one regular show watcher. "Wior's swimwear is a must-buy!"

The Carol Wior Swimwear Factory has headquarters in Bell Gardens, Calif., where a year-round operation turns out millions of swimsuits that are shipped nationally and internationally. Visit Carol Wior Inc. on the Internet at www.carolwiorinc.com.