After months of speculation and posturing, the negotiations between American Idol and Ryan Seacrest are over. The host has officially signed on the dotted line to come back, and to celebrate, he released a statement pointing out what a pleasure it’s been to work on such an “iconic” television show. He’ll patrol the Idol sidelines for a further two years and make fifteen million dollars a season.
As judges have cycled in and out, especially over the past few seasons, Seacrest and Randy Jackson have remained the only constant fixtures. During various years, the reality competition has ebbed or flowed in popularity, but it’s always stayed one of the top few weekly programs on television. A large chunk of that credit has to be given to its host.
If there was even any question as to Seacrest’s talent, the whispers were likely cleared up after The X Factor premiered. For all intents and purposes, Steve Jones was totally decent at his job, but when viewers compared his transitions and the way he handled the judges against his Idol competitor, it became obvious just how brilliant the affable emcee is.
I’m extremely glad Seacrest is coming back. I can’t even imagine the show without him, but that being said, I am still a bit concerned about the money. Idol definitely doesn’t boast the obsessive fandom it once did, and I’m really not sure it can remain profitable paying his salary in addition to the other judges.
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