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Why Ryan Seacrest Is A Terrible Choice To Replace Matt Lauer On The 'Today' Show

Posted 12/8/11 10:16 am EST by in Television


News broke today that Ryan Seacrest is the top choice to replace Matt Lauer on the "Today" show. This is a terrible idea for a variety of reasons.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Seacrest met with NBC executives, including "Today" show executive producer Jim Bell, NBC News President Steve Capus and Lauren Kapp, NBC's senior vice president for marketing and communications, Tuesday evening to discuss replacing Lauer on the top-rated morning news program if the veteran anchor decides to retire from his morning post when his contract is up next year. Lauer first appeared on "Today" in 1992, filling in for former newsreader Margaret Larson when needed. He joined the program full-time as a news anchor/reporter in 1994, while also still anchoring "Today in New York" and "Live at Five," and officially assumed the co-anchor chair opposite Katie Couric in January 1997, replacing Bryant Gumble.

While Lauer said earlier this year that he has no plans to leave NBC, more recent reports have suggested he may be interested in reuniting with Couric when her ABC talk show launches in the fall of 2012. Insiders report that he has been indicating to NBC execs privately that he may leave the show.

We mean no offense to Seacrest when we say he would be a misguided replacement for Lauer. He is a charming interviewer and a dynamic host. But he is not a hard-news journalist. To successfully anchor the "Today" show you have to be all three of these things. Read More...

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'American Idol' Photo Call Fun With Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez, Randy Jackson And Ryan Seacrest

Posted 1/19/11 9:30 am EST by in Music


The 10th season of "American Idol" is set to premiere in only a handful of hours, and the buzz surrounding the new episodes is at a fever pitch. It's something of a reset for the long-running show, as it welcomes two new (and high-profile) faces to the judges' table in singer and actress Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler. But perhaps more importantly, it will be the first season that will feel the absence of Simon Cowell, who has acted as the show's centerpiece, anchor and central voice for the entirety of its run. Now that Cowell is out, the show will likely be taking on a whole new tone and direction (and just to make sure, the producers have tossed in a bunch of curve balls, including the addition of a season-long "pop coach" and the return of the contestants sharing a living space).

All told, it promises to be a fun batch of episodes, even if the contestants aren't as good as they have been in the past. While there has been some doubt about the new judges, it's pretty clear based on this video of their photo call, they appear to at least be having fun.

There's still time to vote in our "American Idol" poll, so be sure to weigh in with your thoughts about the new season and the new judges!

Don't miss our "American Idol" live stream "Judging the Judges: An 'Idol' Without Simon," featuring post-show analysis from Jim Cantiello and special guests, on MTV.com this Wednesday at 10 p.m. Eastern. Tweet your "Idol" commentary with the hashtag #idolwithoutsimon, and we could quote you on the show!

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Ryan Seacrest Says 'An Animal' Will Be At The 'American Idol' Table: The MTV News Quote Of The Day

Posted 12/6/10 3:00 pm EST by in Music


"We added a wild animal to the panel. There will be a wild animal in one of the seats. I can't tell you which wild animal, but it was one that was on the ark. So that's something that's new. Yes, there's a total animal."

-Radio host and "American Idol" emcee Ryan Seacrest, commenting that one of the three judges sitting behind the judges' table on the new season of "Idol" is completely unhinged (apparently in a feral way). MTV News caught up with Seacrest at KIIS FM's Jingle Ball 2010 at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday (December 5), a show that featured performances from the likes of Katy Perry, Enrique Iglesias, Selena Gomez, B.o.B and a host of others.

The new season of "American Idol" gets rolling in January, but Seacrest is already quite enthusiastic about the crop of talent that the show has seen thus far. "The contestants that we found — we brought more kids back to Hollywood than ever before, there's like 240 of them," Seacrest explained. "So I think we've got a really good shot to find some fantastic [talent]." In addition to a new batch of contestants looking to change their musical fortunes overnight, the upcoming season of "American Idol" will also feature a new crop of judges (returning veteran Randy Jackson will be joined by triple threat Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler) and a whole bunch of rule and format changes (owing mainly to the departure of Simon Cowell, who was not only a judge but also the show's guiding production hand).

So far, Lopez is certainly enthusiastic. "I love everybody," she said recently of her experience thus far. "It's such a machine. It runs like clockwork. I love [executive producer] Nigel [Lythgoe]. I love Ryan. I love Steven. I love Randy. Everything's great!"

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Backstreet Boys And New Kids On The Block Talk Tour Details With Ryan Seacrest

Posted 11/8/10 12:30 pm EST by in Music


After a grueling couple of days, we finally have the details surrounding the first few dates of the hotly anticipated tour that will bring together Backstreet Boys and New Kids On The Block. All nine guys sat down with Ryan Seacrest on Monday (November 8th) to talk about their 2011 tour.

Seacrest announced that the nonet will hit up Toronto on Thursday, June 9. Following that, they'll hit up Long Island's Nassau Coliseum on Saturday June 11 and roll to New Jersey's Izod Center on Sunday, June 12. They'll then hop to Chicago for a show at the United Center on Friday June 17. The tour will also land in Los Angeles on Friday, July 11 at the Staples Center. Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell added they are working on more dates, and hope to add some international dates as well.

"It's great. It really is. It's amazing," Backstreet's Nick Carter said. New Kid Donnie Wahlberg added, "The beauty of this show is they can expect Backstreet Boys to sing their hits. They can expect us to sing our hits [and then] the surprises. I can't wait. I cant wait."

Two big questions did arise when the guys sat down. First, would Kevin Richardson make any appearances (as he did on Oprah last week)? And second, would the be recording any fresh material together any time soon?

As far as Richardson goes, the answer went like this: "I can't answer for him and I know he's in a good place right now," Littrell said. "He left us almost five years now. He did a special thing for Oprah and the fans. Again that's his decision. [But he can join us]." (The New Kids are pushing for him to join the tour, FYI.)

In regards to recording music, New Kid Joey McIntyre explained, "It's tough getting these guys in the studio. These young cats. Well, it's honestly, it is tough to get everybody together. Yes we have lots of great intentions." (Danny Wood is totally into a duet, FYI.)

On what songs should Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the Block collaborate? Let us know in the comments!

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Justin Bieber Eclipses Ryan Seacrest At His Own Party: The MTV News Quote Of The Day

Posted 5/17/10 4:30 pm EST by in Music


"The vibe is 'Where's Justin Bieber?' That's the vibe. All the girls that are hanging out here, even the ones that work for us, are like, 'Have you seen him?' I'm like, 'I'm right here.' And they're like, 'No, Justin Bieber him.'"

-"American Idol" host and Wango Tango curator Ryan Seacrest, speaking to MTV News about the buzz backstage at the concert on Saturday (May 15). Bieber was part of a massive bill that included all of the biggest names on the radio right now, including Usher, Ludacris, Ke$ha and Adam Lambert. Despite all those stars, it was clearly the 16-year-old's show, as he tore through a seven song set that included a dance tribute to Michael Jackson and a cover of Aerosmith's "Walk This Way" that included Bieber taking a drum solo.

Seacrest also had an idea for Bieber's future: Judge on one of the most-watched reality shows in television history. When discussing who would be replacing the departing Simon Cowell on "American Idol," Seacrest mused "Who would I want in that chair? I would want a much younger, thinner, more charming Simon. ... Bieber — he's the guy!" The host is also well aware of how difficult the transition will be. "It's gonna be different because there's going to be an empty chair at the end of that panel," the "AI" host said. "I'm not quite sure who's going into that chair, so it's a big [decision]."

"American Idol" sees the final three contestants — Lee DeWyze, Crystal Bowersox and Casey James — compete this week for a spot in the finale next week. Stay tuned to MTV News for all the latest "AI" news and views.

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Ryan Seacrest Just Wants To Dance: The MTV News Quote Of The Day

Posted 4/16/10 3:45 pm EST by in Music


"I was enjoying it. We've done this show for nine years. When they take me out into the audience, sometimes the energy out there takes me to a different place. I looked at the people and I was just having fun Tuesday night. That guy looked like the most inappropriate person to dance with, so I figured, 'Let's pick him up and just dance with him for a second.'"

-"American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest, explaining his unusual behavior during this week's performance episode. He explained to the Los Angeles Times that he was just enjoying the evening's episode and merely trying to keep the show fresh. "It's one of those things where the contestants change every year, and we're here every year, and every now and then, you throw in an unconventional intro or outro just to make it different," he said. "Some people might think it's funny, other people might not. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. It's live and you're at bat, and you're just swinging as many times as you can. ... But there is no script."

What about during his conversation with Adam Lambert at the top of the show? "Unscripted," he said. "I rehearse only the camera blockings so I know which cameras we're going to use, but we certainly don't rehearse any of the antics or any of the craziness that goes on."

But perhaps recently-ousted "Idol" contestant Katie Stevens had the simple explanation for Seacrest's odd night. "I asked him, after dress rehearsal, 'Ryan, what is up with you?' " Stevens said. "And he goes, 'You know, I'm really, really tired right now, so I'm trying to fool myself into thinking that I'm awake.' [He was] over-caffeinated."

What did you think of Ryan Seacrest's performance on "American Idol" this week? Let us know in the comments!

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Ryan Seacrest's 'American Idol' Wackiness In 45 Seconds

Posted 4/14/10 4:30 pm EST by in Music, Television


By Eric Ditzian

Yeah, Ryan Seacrest got a little wacky on Tuesday night's (April 13) "American Idol," but the guy's got, like, 19 different jobs in seven separate entertainment mediums, so let's cut him some slack, OK?

Then again, it was pretty entertaining, and we've gone ahead and collected some of the highs — or lows? — in the video below. There was the hardest working man in show business slow dancing with a surely terrified audience member, complimenting Adam Lambert's talented tongue and deciding to rip former "Idol" co-host Brian Dunkleman for no good reason. (Ryan, honestly, obscurity is punishment enough for that dude). Seacrest created nicknames (Tim Urban became Turban), spun vaguely offensive pronunciations of surnames ("Andrew Gaaaaaarcia") and, well, just seemed confused during almost every toss to commercial and recitation of a 1-866 number. Even still, wasn't it just a tad harsh for Seacrest to point out his mother (who happened to be sitting in the audience) and wonder to the world, "How depressed is she that I'm her son?"

Cut yourself some slack, Ryan! And maybe take a nap before Wednesday's elimination show. The rest of you, hit play on the video to take in the very best of Seacrest's "Idol" on Tuesday.

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'American Idol' Recap: Group Night Builds A Few Narratives

Posted 2/11/10 8:20 am EST by in Music, Television


Hollywood Week(s) continued on "American Idol" on Wednesday night (February 10). Ryan Seacrest apparently calls this portion of the program "Hell Week." This just in: "American Idol" is now taking cues from sororities! I can't wait until next week's episode, when all the contestants lay naked on the floor while Kara DioGuardi circles body fat with a Sharpie.

Wednesday night was the dreaded "Group Night," where, like every other season, the remaining 96 hopefuls broke off into small groups, took over hallways and lobbies of a hotel in California and sang Motown tunes into half-empty water bottles all through the night. (Seriously, I hope "Idol" buys out that entire hotel. Imagine the phone calls the front desk guy must get at four in the morning: "They're still singing 'Get Ready' in the hallway!" "Two people are screaming about choreography outside my door." "I accidentally bought a porno flick 90 minutes ago. I won't be charged, right? Oh, also, some girl is butchering that Alicia Keys song in the room next to me.")

As always, a few over-the-top personalities hogged most of the screen time, so the episode was short on music, long on drama. (It was also long on frighteningly sculpted eyebrows thanks to the plucked-up Danny Jones. Yikes!) So let's break down the various plot threads producers focused on this year.

Neopolitan vs. Destiny's Wild
Both of these groups selected Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance," and for some reason decided to rehearse right next to each other. (That makes about as much sense as forcing contestants to perform group numbers when they're competing to be a solo artist. Am I right, Jermaine Sellers?) Passive-aggressive loud singing commenced, accusations of "idea stealing" got thrown around and voila! Todrick Hall, so charming in his initial audition, suddenly became the season's resident diva. With an intense gaze and an arched eyebrow typically reserved for Disney villains and drag queens, Hall menacingly sang, "They're goin' down!"

Alas, Neopolitan didn't go down. Their "Bad Romance" scored high marks from Simon and they all advanced — even Liz Rooney, whose bright pink streaks and chesty moan cried out for a make-under and a muzzle, respectively.

I preferred Destiny's Wild's "Bad Romance," if only because it opened with Todrick doing a backflip and featured a sassy one-named singer named Theri in a pleather top. I was also excited to meet rocker girl Siobhan Magnus, who apparently spends her free time raiding Bruce Springsteen's closet circa 1984 when she's not blowing glass. Now that I read this paragraph back I can see why Ellen called their performance "surreal." They all made it to the next round, too, which means Todrick lives another day to sass anyone who doesn't appreciate him for the treasure he is.

Mary Powers vs. The Dreamers, Sanity
If Todrick was the head cheerleader of the "Idol" high school cafeteria, Mary Powers was the unstable late-in-life student-teacher who often cries in front of the class. Read More...

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Ryan Seacrest's $15 Million: He's Earned It! Seriously!

Posted 7/13/09 2:08 pm EST by in Music


Though the ratings for "American Idol" have been down a bit, that's hardly Ryan Seacrest's fault, which is probably why he was able to sign a three-year contract extension worth $45 million, making him the richest reality show host on the market.

In the 2007 film "Knocked Up," Seacrest (playing himself) goes on a rant about how many jobs he has. "I don't understand the young talent in this town — I've got four jobs! Hell, I'm more famous than half the people we talk to anyway!" The guy actually undershoots his target: Between "Idol," his on-air gig at E!, his two radio shows (the daily "On the Air With Ryan Seacrest" and the weekly "American Top 40") and his production duties on "Keeping Up with the Kardashians," "Bromance" and "Denise Richards: It's Complicated," his schedule is pretty well packed.

But he's certainly well compensated. And you know what? He probably deserves more. Read More...

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Our 'American Idol' Expert Is Taking His Obsession To The Next Level -- He's Auditioning

Posted 8/18/08 1:55 pm EST by in American Idol, Music


You may know MTV News producer Jim Cantiello from his 60-second recaps of "American Idol" and "Project Runway," but now he's looking to step into the reality-TV spotlight himself.

Hey, Paula, Randy and Simon! After tomorrow, you can call off the rest of the eighth season of "American Idol," because I know you're going to fall in love with one singer in particular: me. That's right. I'll be one of the estimated 10,000 people auditioning for a spot on the show. Read More...

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