Who’s the real ‘American Idol’? Ryan Seacrest

updated 4:19 p.m. ET Jan. 10, 2006

LOS ANGELES - By his own admission, “American Idol” talent-show host Ryan Seacrest can’t act. He has yet to demonstrate any dancing or singing chops and is routinely bested by judge Simon Cowell in the wit department.

But as the Fox TV hit returns Jan. 17 for season five, Seacrest is among its biggest successes. With clout gained from the show, he struck a multimillion-dollar cable deal he sees as the cornerstone of a business styled on that of his own idol, Dick “American Bandstand” Clark.

If one affable host with boyish good looks and business acumen could parlay a TV hosting job into a thriving production company, why can’t another one — and this time in a sprawling new media world with more opportunities for an ambitious guy.

Fame can be enriching for the ego and bank account but has a limited shelf life. Ryan Seacrest Productions, on the other hand, has the hopeful ring of durability and real financial heft. As with, say, dick clark productions, erstwhile supplier to TV networks of movies, awards shows and more.

“When you’re hired to present a show or be on the show, you’re hired help. How long can that really last? You never know,” Seacrest, 31, told The Associated Press. “I want to show up, I want to work hard, I want to build something I have for a long time.”

That dream recently got a big push from E! Entertainment Television, which signed a three-deal aimed at giving the channel the “true star” it was lacking, said Ted Harbert, president and chief executive officer of E! Networks. It’s the biggest E! contract since Howard Stern’s more than a decade ago.

Harbert is happy to sing Seacrest’s praises as a consummate broadcaster with skills honed on radio (the national “American Top 40” and his morning show on Los Angeles station 102.7 KIIS FM) and live TV (a fill-in for CNN’s Larry King, along with “American Idol.”)

Seacrest’s Rockin’ Eve?
Seacrest, Harbert said, is ready to step in as “America’s host” when Clark, 76, decides to retire. The two appeared together on ABC’s “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” (Clark’s first time on TV since his 2004 stroke), produced by their respective companies and ABC.

Ask Harbert about Seacrest’s business savvy and his already admiring tone swells.

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“That’s the right angle,” he responds. “He’s pretty impressive in that category, and I didn’t know that side of him.”

Harbert was educated during their contract talks, which proved to be a 1980s flashback. An executive at ABC then and working under old federal rules sharply limiting network ownership of shows, Harbert negotiated to air the American Music Awards and other Clark-produced fare.

“Over the years, every time we see each other, we laugh about the heat of the negotiations,” said Harbert. “I had deals with Dick but I never owned his production company. Frankly, that’s one of the reasons I did this (with Seacrest). I don’t want Ryan on the outside where I have to negotiate with him ... at least for another three or four years.”

Seacrest, he said, drove a hard bargain. The agreement calls for him to host and produce awards coverage on E!, to serve as managing editor and lead anchor for “E! News” and to produce other specials and series, including shows for other networks or channels.

Harbert declined to comment on reports that the E! deal is valued at $21 million, including construction of a studio.

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