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

Seacrest is attempting to join the ranks of celebrities who successfully angled to become corporate entities, with Clark and Desi Arnaz among the earliest TV examples and Oprah Winfrey among the most recent. First-season “Idol” winner Kelly Clarkson is selling millions of records; Seacrest is a partner in six restaurants and is creating a clothing line.

His one big stumble on the road to Clarksville: A short-lived syndicated TV talk show.

Pop culture expert Robert Thompson admires Seacrest’s work on “American Idol” — “He’s sarcastic enough to make it work, but sincere enough that he’s part of the cheese that holds it all together” — but thinks he’s wise to cultivate business interests.

“When you look at Ryan Seacrest overall, I think good advice would be, ’Diversify, diversify, diversify,” said Thompson, of Syracuse University.

An Atlanta native, Seacrest developed his mellow radio voice as a teenager and put it to use recording phone answering messages for his family and neighbors. Casey Kasem, whom he succeeded on “America’s Top 40,” was an early professional hero.

Seacrest fulfills his “hosting wants and needs” with the TV and radio shows. But it’s his business soul he’s bringing to fruition now, nurtured by reading (he cites Harvard’s business and marketing books and “The Tipping Point,” among others) and Clark tutorials.

“The first time I really sat and met with him behind closed doors was three or four years ago now, and I said to him, ’How do you do what you’ve done? How does one even get on that path?”’ Seacrest recalled.

“His response was, ’You can’t do exactly what I’ve done. There’s no formula.”’

Clark’s success did crystalize for Seacrest the true value of fame: “He realized every time he was on television ... it was a way to get into a meeting to sell another show.”

He treasures their work together on New Year’s Eve.

“He’s such a pro. He was smooth,” Seacrest said, managing to juggle a hectic show without a hint to viewers. “He gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek and said, ’Thank you for being here.”’

Dick Clark for a new age
A longtime associate of Clark’s is willing to concede some likeness between the veteran host and the upstart.

“I think Ryan’s certainly a very bright and active talent, he’s quite creative. ... He’s on his way to becoming a major player,” said Francis C. LaMaina, chief operating officer of dick clark productions.

One caveat, LaMaina said: The industry landscape may appear more inviting than it is.

“It’s a different age of television these days, tougher to control your product” because networks can own the shows that used to be the property of outside producers, he said.

The “American Idol” host also has to prove his TV value outside of the Fox series, especially given his “lackluster” talk show venture, said Stacey Lynn Koerner, an executive with media-buying firm Initiative.

“It remains to be seen whether audiences are more enchanted by the man or the program,” she said.

Seacrest is used to being called on his limits; he lets occasional descriptions like “dweeb” roll off his back. It’s only the thought of slacking off that troubles him, and drives him.

“I feel if I don’t go get it, someone else will take it. The business isn’t looking for me, they’re just looking for someone who can do it. If it wasn’t me, it would be someone else.”

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