Ryan Seacrest Returns as "American Idol" Host

[JamesG]

Ryan Seacrest is Reportedly Returning to "American Idol"
by Keisha Hatchett
June 14, 2017


Is Ryan Seacrest headed to ABC's "American Idol" revival? It looks to be so, according to a profile of the on-air personality by the Hollywood Reporter.

Seacrest allegedly withdrew from negotiations after "Idol's" production company Fremantle Media approached him with an offer that was "roughly half the size of its first." Fremantle told Seacrest the reasoning for the pay cut was that the new format would have the show using him significantly less.

After some soul-searching and a much better offer (north of $10 million, reportedly, plus a likely executive producer credit), Seacrest is back in. "Who am I if not the American Idol guy?" he asked.





With "Live! with Kelly and Ryan" and numerous radio shows and producing gigs already on his plate, incorporating "Idol" into the mix means being in L.A. on Sundays to host Idol before flying overnight to New York City in order to co-host Live on Monday morning. That's in addition to flying out nearly every weekend for E! and iHeartRadio events. But if anyone can do it, it's him.

"I've always loved the show," he said of "American Idol". "And if I could do it forever, I would do it forever." Plus, Kelly Ripa reportedly gave him her blessing, which means there won't be a repeat of the Michael Strahan debacle.



The "American Idol" reboot, which already signed Katy Perry as a judge, heads to ABC in 2018.

http://www.tvguide.com/news/ryan-sea...american-idol/

[JamesG]

Ryan Seacrest is Officially Returning to "American Idol"
by Liam Mathews
July 20, 2017


It's now official: Ryan Seacrest is returning as host of "American Idol".

Seacrest will join new judges Katy Perry and (reportedly) Chris Daughtry on ABC's revival of the iconic singing competition show, the network announced Thursday.





"It's genuinely hard to put into words what American Idol means to me," Seacrest, who has hosted "American Idol" since it premiered in 2002, said in a statement.

"I'm so grateful for the show and all the career and life opportunities it's allowed me to experience. It's been an incredible journey from day one. To be asked to return this year, at my new home at Disney|ABC, is an honor, if not a bit surreal.

I believe ABC is the perfect home for Idol, and I've every confidence the show's legions of fans will love it - especially Idol's best traditions of showcasing heartwarming stories, remarkable talent discovery, and, best of all, making dreams come true."





Seacrest will continue to host morning talk show "Live! with Kelly and Ryan" as well as hosting and executive producing his radio shows "On Air with Ryan Seacrest" and "American Top 40."

"American Idol" will return in 2018.

http://www.tvguide.com/news/american...est-returning/

[robyrob]

they should have brought back Brian Dunkleman instead - he was the REAL star of the show.