LOS ANGELES — Here comes Mario Lopez as the Miss America pageant host.

TLC and the Miss America Organization said Wednesday that the 36-year-old "Extra" host and former "Dancing with the Stars" contestant will again serve as master of ceremonies for the live Jan. 30 ceremony at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.  Lopez previously hosted the Miss America pageant in 2007 and 2009.

Next year's pageant will feature 53 contestants, including Miss District of Columbia, Miss Virgin Islands and Miss Puerto Rico, who returns after a 50-year absence from the event.  As always, the women will compete in interview, swimsuit, evening gown and talent competitions for the title of Miss America.

Katie Stam of Indiana is the current Miss America.

On the Net:
http://www.missamerica.org/
http://tlc.discovery.com

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.