Ryan Seacrest, Who’s Never Not Working, Considering Potential ‘American Idol’ Return
Between 2002 and 2016, as the host of FOX's American Idol, Ryan Seacrest helped launch the careers of 15 recording artists — the show's winners — and, likely, many more. So, now that the show is rumored to be returning next year (this time, ABC seems like its likely home, according to Variety), will Seacrest return with it?
On this morning's (May 8) Live!, Seacrest, who was only recently named Kelly Ripa's new full-time co-host, said he discovered that Idol might be returning around the same time as fans did, and noted there's a lot to think about if the potential to assume his old role genuinely came around.
"I don't know about that part yet, we haven't gotten that far," he said, but noted his new job's parent company would make the gig easier. "I said, 'Well, that's kind of good to know, I work here!'"
Still, Ripa, a huge Idol fan, insisted he reclaim his hosting duties if and when the show gets a second life.
"I know that you're busy in the mornings, I get it. I understand its hard doing double duty—you've got the radio show, you've got this," she said. "But your nights are free you don't have that much to do. You can do this! You can disconnect for that! On the days where it is the day after, you won't even have to think, I will do it all!"
Seacrest responded to the 2015 announcement that American Idol was canceled by thanking the production for helping to launch his career.
"American Idol has been a big part of my life for so long, it’s frankly hard to imagine it without it. It’s been a remarkable journey, and I feel very fortunate to have been part of a show that made television history in countless ways," he told Billboard. "It’s a show about chasing and fulfilling dreams, and truth be told, it helped some of my own dreams come true, too.”
Defining American Idol Season 1 Moments: