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...

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...

· Ashlee Simpson has apparently read the manual of celebrity pregnancy clichés: On Ryan Seacrest's KIIS-FM show Thursday morning, Pete Wentz said his new wife craves green olives "on everything." But we do like Wentz's rather original metaphor for his impending fatherhood: "It's like making a record, but knowing you're going to mix it for the next 18 years of your life."

· With his 50th birthday looming near, and photographs of himself being transported via wheelchair making the rounds, Michael Jackson is no doubt feeling nostalgic for the '90s. That explains why he reportedly met with the reunited New Kids on the Block last week to discuss collaborating on his upcoming album. Read more...

So I'm back home in NY and finally on a normal sleep cycle. Hallelujah! And even though I had a three-day weekend to detox from "Idol," I still can't shake one thing I witnessed at last week's Grand Finale...

Nope, not Fantasia's awesome hair. Nope, not the fact that Ruben Studdard was really 9 feet tall in person. Actually, it didn't even happen on the red carpet. It occurred backstage in the press room, and I call it the David Personality Shift.

The two David's made their way to a podium to answer a few questions. First came the Cookster, who just 30 minutes earlier was crowned America's Next Top Clive Davis Slave. We were all expecting him to be over the moon with excitement, or maybe he'd still be crying like he was on TV. (He did, after all, just win a crazy-popular reality show.) But, nope. He waltzed up to the mic, mumbled a few words about his music teacher, then politely smiled and walked off. A few of us turned to each other and said, "He knows he just won, right?" Was it dawning on him that it might be tough for him to break out of the "Idol" mold? Or maybe it just hit him that his first single was a steaming pile of goo? Or, most likely, he was just damn exhausted, and would rather chill with his family (standing backstage waiting for him) than answer silly questions about fashion accessories. (Yes, stupid tabloid reporter who drove everyone nuts. I'm looking at you.)

Conversely, there was ArchuRunnerUp, who haters bashed for his awkward "gosh's" and giggle fits. Several of my co-workers have been "creeped out" by how he often acted like an eleven-year-old boy, as opposed to a seventeen-year-old dude. Well, based on the few minutes I witnessed in the press room, Archuleta was a shockingly mature, well-spoken young man. He finished all his sentences; he didn't gasp for air more than John Goodman on a staircase; he didn't shrug and turn away from the camera like a Harajuku girl. In other words, he came off like the complete opposite he did while on the telly. And he...had...tons of personality! Where was this Archuleta all season long???

Could it be that losing "Idol" was the best thing that could happen to this kid's emotional growth? Was he just freezing on camera all season because of the intense pressure? (Or was he just relieved to finally get away from Seacrest?)

I wonder if this personality shift happened with the other "Idol" contestants. Maybe, behind the scenes, Brooke White was sane, Jason Castro clever, and Syesha Mercado, uh, likeable...?

So do you ever have that feeling that your boss is keeping tabs on you at all times? Like you leave work, you're at home sitting around in your sweatpants watching TV, and he's still watching you?

We thought this was kind of paranoid...until last night. Because lo and behold, while we were innocently watching Ryan Seacrest talk about whatever on "American Idol," who stared back at us but the Notorious B.G. -- Brian Graden, that is, President of Entertainment for MTV Networks Music Group (which is a really big title, for those who can't figure it out).

B.G. got some Marilu Henner-sized face time during last night’s finale-determining episode. While Emily Van Camp and Gavin DeGraw got paltry cutaways, Graden clocked in at 23 seconds by camping out behind Seacrest’s mark, just inches away from Syesha's dad.

So Bri, who’d ya vote for...?

We love Timbaland. Absolute genius. True innovator. Changed the landscape of pop music forever. But man, does he have some suspect taste in rock music.

Anyway, Timbaland told Ryan Seacrest yesterday that he’s producing the upcoming solo album from former Soundgarden/Audioslave howler, Chris Cornell, the singer's third.

Timbaland said it’s the “best work” he’s done in his career (of course it is). Meanwhile, Cornell – who gave props to “American Idol” cover coverer David Cook on Seacrest’s show earlier in the week -- also said this upcoming solo album, which could be released as soon as next month, is the highlight of his career (of course it is).

Yeah.

We don't mean to sound that cynical but really, what do you think - interesting or ridiculous?