TV & VIDEO - Feb. 3, 1988

Actor Alan Thicke’s profile as a beauty pageant host just became quite a bit higher. The star of the ABC series “Growing Pains” has been chosen to host the 1988 Miss USA and Miss Universe broadcasts later this year, pageant officials announced Tuesday. Thicke replaces game-show host and animal-rights activist Bob Barker, who quit as emcee in a dispute over the contestants wearing of real furs. The hosting duties for the Miss Teen USA Pageant--Thicke’s former niche--will be taken over by “American Bandstand” producer-host Dick Clark.