BERT PARKS

Parks was an actor, singer, and radio and TV announcer, but he is perhaps best remembered now for hosting the annual Miss America telecast for 24 years. Sadly, the TV Network Powers That Be decided he was too old for the ceremony and unceremoniously dumped him in 1979. 
     But Parks sort of got the last laugh. In 1990 he did a hilarious send-up of his emcee image in a delightful movie called "The Freshman," starring Marlon Brando and Matthew Broderick. 
     Not long after I'd seen the film I was in L.A. on business and spotted Parks in a men's shop. I introduced myself and told him how much I had enjoyed his performance. He thanked me then chuckled and said, "Well, I sure gave Brando a run for his money."