American Idol: Ryan Seacrest Inks New Deal to Return For Season 18
Brian Dunkleman can stand down: Ryan Seacrest has signed on to return as host of American Idol.
With Seacrest’s new deal in place, Idol heads into its third season on ABC (and its 18th season overall) with its entire team — including judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, and in-house mentor Bobby Bones — intact, despite cost-cutting buzz.
The Seacrest announcement follows week of speculation that the Idol staple might not return. Last spring, he took his first-ever Idol sick day, prompting Bones to fill in as host for one of the broadcasts. (At the time, 23 percent of TVLine readers said they preferred Bones to Seacrest, while 33 percent said they didn’t notice much of a difference between the two.)
“American Idol has been my home for 17 seasons and I can’t wait to return to the stage,” Seacrest said in a statement. “It’s the greatest gift to be able to play a part in discovering new talent with a franchise that has been such a relevant part of American culture for so many years.”
Added ABC Entertainment president Karey Burke, “We are delighted that our entire Idol dream team will be reuniting for the upcoming season on ABC. Ryan has been hosting Idol since the beginning, and the energy and enthusiasm he brings to the show after 17 seasons are remarkable. We can’t wait to see what’s in store as Ryan, our superstar judges and in-house mentor set out on their nationwide search for the next great music sensation.”
Are you relieved that Seacrest will be back as host of American Idol? Or were you hoping that the long-running music competition series would make a change?
Idol without Ryan just wouldn’t be right. I’m glad they reached a new deal. In my opinion, he’s more important than any judge could ever be to the show.
I um really? Ryan…is that you?
Glad Seacrest is coming back.
Idol clearly would suffer without Ryan. He and Tom Bergeron are — without a doubt — the two best reality show hosts in the business. No one else even comes close.
Loved when Bobby Bones filled in. Breath of fresh air… he was super, so bummer was hoping for a change.
I wish the original judges were in. After watching them all on Kelly Clarkson’s show last week, that would make me start watching the show again!
The judges are why we couldn’t finish watching last season. May not even start this season.
Was there any doubt that Seacrest was going to renew his contract?
It was only a matter of how much money ABC was going to throw at him and how many ego massages they would be willing to give him.
The cost cutting will affect the contestants and the production of the show.
By the way, when exactly was “Idol” still relevant? 🙄
So sick of him everywhere. Won’t watch a show he hosts.
im with you. they dont need this guy.
This show, like every reboot now finding a spot on some yayhoo streaming service, will unfortunately live on like a cockroach into Infinity.