As one of the most well-known TV personalities,Ryan Seacresthas had his fair share of hosting responsibilities. From radio to some of television’s most popular programs, Seacrest has certainly made a name for himself. He’s worked in the business since the 1990s and has kept a successful momentum since then.
Seacrest’s breakout role in television hosting would be his 2002 gig withAmerican Idol.He has worked for the popular singing program for all 21 seasons and plansto continue as its hostalong with other radio and television positions. Seacrest has nearly thirty years in the business, so it’s no wonder why he was also recently offered the position ofWheel of Fortune’snew host after the show’s previous host Pat Sajak announced he would be retiring.
Though taking on the position asWheel of Fortune’shost is a multi-year deal for Seacrest, he will have to wait for the 42nd season after Sajak enjoys his last run on the long-standing show. With the retirement of Sajak being so monumental, as he has hosted the game show since 1981, Seacrest has made a statement about his thoughts on Sajak’s legacy and his upcoming work withWheel of Fortune,saying in a statement, “I’m truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak.”
10Wild Animal Games
Wild Animal Gameswas a ’90s kid’s game show. It featured Seacrest as the host as children would compete in games based on the animal of the day. They would ride donkeys while playing polo or play a memory game called the Chimp Challenge where the losing side would be slimed by goo by the end of the show. The show lasted one season with 65 episodes.
9Radical Outdoor Challenge
Seacrest began his game-show hosting for the 1990s kid’s adventure programRadical Outdoor Challenge.The show premiered on ESPN and featured young kids competing in challenges against each other at a camp in Georgia.
Related:17 Best Game Shows Millennial Kids Grew Up Watching
8Gladiators 2000
One year after his game show hosting debut, Seacrest landed yet another gig hosting a kid’s program. He acted as co-host onGladiators 2000. The show was a spin-off of the popular adult version,American Gladiators.
He also hosted the 1997 show,Click,where three teams consisting of teens would compete for cash by answering questions about the internet. The show lasted for two seasons until it went off-air.
6Ultimate Revenge
Ultimate Revengewas hosted by Seacrest between 2001 and 2003 before production stopped. The reality game show featured family and friends playing practical jokes on their loved ones.
5New Year’s Rockin’ Eve
In 2005, Seacrest began hosting thewidely celebratedNew Year’s Rockin’ Evewith Dick Clark. The two hosted the end-of-the-year holiday show until 2012 when Clark left hosting responsibilities solely to Seacrest.New Year’s Rockin’ Eveis filmed right from Times Square every year and includes performances from singers, comedic commentary, and entertaining co-hosts. Seacrest is still the lead host of the show and is supposed to bring in 2024 with the ABC broadcast.
4Live With Kelly and Ryan
Beginning in 2017, Seacrest joined Kelly Ripa on her morning talk show,Live With Kelly and Ryan. He took over Regis Philbin’s duties when he passed away. The show talks about daily news among a boisterous audience and hosts a prize wheel game. The game allows for a caller to answer a question from Ripa in hopes of winning a destination getaway.Seacrest’s last show with Kellywas this April, as he announced his retirement after filming for six seasons. The show is now hosted by Kelly Ripa and her husband Mark Consuelos.
Seacrest signed a production and hosting contract withE! Newsin 2006. The television program premieredKeeping Up With the Kardashiansjust one year later and would see Seacrest as the producer of the highly acclaimed show. He produced multipleKardashianspin-off series likeLife of KylieandRob & Chyna.
Related:Here’s Jeopardy! and the Other Greatest Game Shows on TV, Ranked
Seacrest also serves as the executive producer of the programLive From the Red Carpet.When he began his time withE! Entertainment,Seacrest was quickly given even more roles as the managing editor and lead anchor ofE! News. The segment is now hosted by Justin Sylvester and Adrienne Bailon.
2On Air With Ryan Seacrest
In 2004, Seacrest made his long-awaited debut as the host of his own radio show,On Air With Ryan Seacrest.The KIIS-FM station first aired during the day as a drive-time radio show and manifested into a 19-year success, as it is still airing. The show became syndicated in 2008, meaning Seacrest records his show in the morning, and it airs on multiple stations in the afternoon. The talk show airs for five hours and is full of today’s hit music. For those who enjoy his commentary and jam selection, as most do, you will be happy to find out that Seacrest had a contract revision in 2021 where his conditions are to be on air for the iHeartMedia show until at least 2025.
1American Idol
Since the talent show’s inception in 2002, Seacrest has been the spirited, dedicated, andbeloved host ofAmerican Idol.He had a co-host, Brian Dunkleman, during the first season, but soon took on the role as the only host for the remaining 20 seasons. The competition show features singers from all over the world. A set of judges first have auditions in select cities and then take contestants to center stage where Seacrest will kindly ask to “dim the lights, please,” as he reads who has made it to the next round and who has been voted off.American Idolis set to premiere its 22nd season in February 2024 and, despite his new position onWheel of Fortune, Seacrest is expected to continue hosting the popular singing competition on ABC.
Seacrest has surely had a phenomenal run as a host on both radio and television. Not only has he continued to book some of the most popular gigs after nearly thirty years in the business, but he has also been able to make a name for himself and his ideas through his production company Ryan Seacrest Productions. And with his next stint asWheel of Fortune’snew host, there’s really no stopping where he can go in his career.
