Liz Wickersham
Encyclopedia
Liz Wickersham is an American
television personality best known as the host of CNN
's entertainment newsmagazine Showbiz Today.
, moved to Georgia
after attending the University of Texas and won the title of Miss Georgia USA
, going on to compete in the 1976 Miss USA
pageant, where she was selected as Miss Photogenic and ultimately became one of the Top 12 semifinalists. Following this, she briefly worked for Democratic Congressman Charlie Wilson in Washington, DC. Her father was both a major Democratic contributer and the seller of the second-hand Lincoln automobiles that Wilson preferred. She later appeared as the cover model for the April 1981 issue of Playboy
magazine.
offered her an on-air position with the fledgling network, CNN. Her broadcasting profile soon rose considerably after being selected in to interview Cuba
n dictator Fidel Castro
at his presidential palace following an invitation he issued to CNN. She returned to Cuba for a follow-up interview with Castro two years later.
Liz Wickersham co-hosted the CNN program Showbiz Today (modeled on syndication's successful Entertainment Tonight
) which featured entertainment industry news. She also served as the host of WTBS's Sunday-morning magazine program "Good News", produced by the husband-and-wife TV writing team of Bonnie and Terry Turner
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television personality best known as the host of CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
's entertainment newsmagazine Showbiz Today.
Miss Georgia USA
Wickersham, who grew up in Orange, TexasOrange, Texas
Orange is a city in Orange County, Texas, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 18,643. It is the county seat of Orange County, and is the easternmost city in Texas. Located on the Sabine River at the border with Louisiana, it is part of the Beaumont–Port Arthur...
, moved to Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
after attending the University of Texas and won the title of Miss Georgia USA
Miss Georgia USA
The Miss Georgia USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state Georgia in the Miss USA pageant.Historically, Georgia has been the eleventh most successful state at Miss USA and has performed in more recent years, placing eighth on the table of most successful states...
, going on to compete in the 1976 Miss USA
Miss USA 1976
Miss USA 1976, the 25th Miss USA pageant, was televised live by CBS from Niagara Falls, New York on May 15, 1976.The pageant was won by Barbara Peterson of Minnesota, who was crowned by outgoing titleholder Summer Bartholomew of California...
pageant, where she was selected as Miss Photogenic and ultimately became one of the Top 12 semifinalists. Following this, she briefly worked for Democratic Congressman Charlie Wilson in Washington, DC. Her father was both a major Democratic contributer and the seller of the second-hand Lincoln automobiles that Wilson preferred. She later appeared as the cover model for the April 1981 issue of Playboy
Playboy
Playboy is an American men's magazine that features photographs of nude women as well as journalism and fiction. It was founded in Chicago in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. The magazine has grown into Playboy Enterprises, Inc., with...
magazine.
CNN
Shortly thereafter, Ted TurnerTed Turner
Robert Edward "Ted" Turner III is an American media mogul and philanthropist. As a businessman, he is known as founder of the cable news network CNN, the first dedicated 24-hour cable news channel. In addition, he founded WTBS, which pioneered the superstation concept in cable television...
offered her an on-air position with the fledgling network, CNN. Her broadcasting profile soon rose considerably after being selected in to interview Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
n dictator Fidel Castro
Fidel Castro
Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz is a Cuban revolutionary and politician, having held the position of Prime Minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976, and then President from 1976 to 2008. He also served as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba from the party's foundation in 1961 until 2011...
at his presidential palace following an invitation he issued to CNN. She returned to Cuba for a follow-up interview with Castro two years later.
Liz Wickersham co-hosted the CNN program Showbiz Today (modeled on syndication's successful Entertainment Tonight
Entertainment Tonight
Entertainment Tonight is a daily tabloid television entertainment television news show that is syndicated by CBS Television Distribution throughout the United States, Canada and in many countries around the world. Linda Bell Blue is currently the program's executive producer...
) which featured entertainment industry news. She also served as the host of WTBS's Sunday-morning magazine program "Good News", produced by the husband-and-wife TV writing team of Bonnie and Terry Turner
Bonnie and Terry Turner
Bonnie and Terry Turner are a husband-and-wife writing team, best known for creating the sitcoms 3rd Rock from the Sun and That '70s Show , for NBC and FOX respectively, as well as That '80s Show for FOX in 2002, and Normal, Ohio starring John Goodman in 2000.From 1986 until 1992, the team were...
.