Is Miss America or Miss Universe or beauty pageants in general even relevant today?

[WI_DEM]

I remember when the Miss America pageant was considered a big thing and got big ratings. I'm old enough to remember when Bert Parks hosted it for years and years, and asked the contestants questions like, "What would you do to help foster world peace?" or "What would you do to make your husband more comfortable when he comes home from a long day at the office?"

Now, we have Miss America contestants being asked real and relevant questions like, "do you support gay marriage?"

Does it really make sense though? Does anybody really pay attention to beauty pageants anymore?