Friday, Dec. 27, 2002 | 4:09 a.m.
WEEKEND EDITION
December 28-29, 2002
What: "America's Party."
When: Taped live on the Strip beginning at 8 p.m. Tuesday; airing taped-delayed in Las Vegas on Fox (Channel 5) beginning at 11 p.m.
Where: Main stage in front of The Venetian, with reports from all over the Strip.
Admission: No charge.
As 2002 draws to a close, Ryan Seacrest has much for which to be thankful:
A popular drive-time disc jockey in Los Angeles; a runway reporter on E Channel special events, such as the "Die Another Day" movie premiere; and, of course, as co-host of the summer TV event, "American Idol."
The 26-year-old Seacrest returns to the role that made him famous nationwide when "American Idol" returns to the airwaves on January 21. And Tuesday he will host "America's Party," a Fox New Year's Eve bash airing live on the Strip in front of The Venetian.
The Sun recently chatted with Seacrest on his cell phone, while he was wrapping up his Christmas shopping, about the success of "American Idol," his relationship with the show's glib talent judge Simon Cowell, and why Brian Dunkleman isn't returning to co-hosting duties this season.
Sun: "American Idol" proved to be a ratings blockbuster, getting stronger as the show went along. Were you surprised at its success?
Ryan Seacrest: I was very surprised about the success of the first season and what seemed to be the quick success of the show. I know when I signed on to do it, I thought it was going to be a very cool show and I thought it would be very fun to do it. But I had no idea it would be the water cooler show that it turned out to be.
Sun: What are the reasons for "American Idol's" success?
RS: I think there are a few reasons why the show was so successful. No. 1, most people have dreamed about being a star or an actor or actress. So there's that dream component to the show.
No. 2, it's an interactive show, so as a viewer you're fully invested into the show because you as a viewer choose the outcome as a group. The winner of our show isn't based on what the judges think, it isn't based on what I think, it's really the mass vote that determines the winner of our show.
And No. 3, I think people wanted to see the success and the failure -- that's part of reality television and that's compelling to people.
Sun: Can this season's show come close to the success of the first?
RS: I feel like the expectations are very high. But, based on the first few episodes of this season compared to last season, I think it's already a more compelling show. I think the auditions are more entertaining than they were last time around. I think the contestants this time are even more serious than they were the first time at the initial stage.
When we did this the first time, people knew of the pay-off, and they knew it was a singing competition and that it was going to be on TV. But they didn't realize the validity of the show, and they didn't realize how popular it was going to be. Now people know that. And people who are so driven and so determined to not only be a part of it, but to win this competition, I think that it's going to be a more aggressive fight to win this.
Sun: You and Simon often took on-air jabs at each other that occasionally seemed more than good humor. What is your relationship with Simon?
RS: We are friends. Believe it or not, we have become good friends throughout this series. Initially, I think I was like everybody else in America. I was trying to figure what in the heck this guy is all about and why he feels it's his mission to be so tactless, arrogant and pompous and all those words that embody Simon Cowell.
But, once you get to know him, you realize ... he's extremely candid, he's extremely honest and tells you what's on his mind. The two of us have developed what I like to call a younger-brother, much-older brother relationship, because he's practically like twice my age.
Sun: Your hosting partner, Brian Dunkleman, is not returning to "American Idol." Why did he choose to leave the show?
RS: We haven't spoken much since we said goodbye at the end of the series. We worked together in Las Vegas and had the chance to wrap things up there. The thing with Brian is, and he was very clear with this from the beginning, he always wanted to be a comedic actor. He loves acting and he loves standup. He wanted to be on a sitcom. And I don't think he felt this show was the best path for that. He's going to step back and try and figure out what he wants to do. And I kind of understand. We did it and had a great time doing it, but I think this show will be fine just having one traffic cop as well.
Sun: So there will be no replacement co-host?
RS: No, they're not going to replace him.
Sun: Why was Las Vegas selected as the host site for the New Year's Eve special, "America's Party"?
RS: It is incredible. Words cannot describe the level of enthusiasm and excitement for that night in Las Vegas. It is incredible. I've been there, I've done it. Capturing that energy of the Strip and capturing the energy of Las Vegas, I think it's pretty incredible and deserves to be on TV nationally.
I'm excited about doing this this year and hopefully building a franchise out of it and having Las Vegas be the hub for a show like this -- the hot, young, sexy live New Year's Eve show every year.
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