Miss Universe Pageant judges named -- bikinis included

Oh, Miss Universe Pageant, you had us at "bikinis."

That said, the Miss Universe Pageant has also named its judges for 2010: husband and wife William Baldwin and Chynna Phillips, Olympic medalist Evan Lysacek and illusionist Criss Angel are but a few of the folks who'll soon join co-hosts Natalie Morales and Bret Michaels in Las Vegas.

Perhaps it's not quite as exciting as learning who'll judge the next season of "American Idol" -- unless you're Donald Trump. "When you combine the world's most beautiful women, bikinis, a rock star, and a panel of top celebrity judges, you have a recipe for success," the Donald said in a statement Wednesday. 

True. We were actually going to run a picture of a judge or two, but forget that -- you get a shot of a couple of contestants preparing poolside for the competition. Oh, we lie, we lie, that's not all. We went nuts and added a shot of bikini-clad contestants in the pool, below.

Bikini-clad for the good old U.S. of A. will be Miss USA Rima Fakih, of course (hit the links below if you forgot the non-raunchy non-scandal that surrounded her acquisition of that crown).

In addition to the 83 contestants who'll attempt to dazzle with their evening gowns, interviews and ...

... of course, their bikinis, the other ingredients in the Miss Universe "recipe" are Sheila E, Jane Seymour, Chazz Palminteri and MSNBC's Tamron Hall.

The show airs at 9 p.m. Monday.

Did we mention bikinis? Yeah. Lots of bikinis.

-- Christie D'Zurilla

Top photo: Miss Philippines 2010 Venus Raj, left, and Miss Ukraine 2010 Anna Poslavska, in bikinis.  Credit: Miss Universe Organization / Reuters

Second photo: Miss Switzerland 2010 Linda Faeh, in a bikini. Credit: Miss Universe Organization / Reuters

Bottom photo: Miss Spain Adriana Reveron, left, Miss Switzerland Linda Faeh, Miss USA Rima Fakih, Miss Venezuela Marelisa Gibson, Miss Tanzania Hellen Dausen, Miss Slovenia Marika Savsek, Miss Philippines Venus Raj and Miss Paraguay Yohana Benitez Olmedo, in bikinis. Also in the water. Credit: Miss Universe Organization / Reuters

Related dispatches from the Ministry of Gossip:

Miss USA Rima Fakih's throbbing nonscandal -- would someone just get the young lady some pizza?

Getting a grip on Miss USA Rima Fakih's stripper-pole past [poll]

Don't stop now! The Ministry has lots of gratuitous beefcake and cheesecake for your hot-weather enjoyment.

Comments

[Miss Universe is Miss Philippines]

The most qualified to become the new Miss Universe 2010 is Miss Philippines. She is beautiful, intelligent, modest and grounded. She is exceptionally the best amongst the candidate. Miss Maria Venus Raj of the Philippines is the Miss Universe 2010!!!!

[annaslace]

Actually, sir or ma'am, Miss Philippines was not very pleasant to look at. Her makeup was scary, too dark, which made her seem older and she was too skinny to fit her bathing suit. Miss Mexico or Miss Jamaica were correct picks. thanks

[annaslace]

Also, you really can't forsee if someone is really modest, grounded and intelligent just in a 2 hour show. Saying "yes sir" as many times as she did was respectul, however, it wasn't necessary for a younger person (judge) whom asked the question and doesn't equate intelligence!