After Hosting Over 400 Episodes, Ryan Returning to ‘Idol’ for Season 12
“Idol” has amassed over 400 episodes since the show’s incarnation and Ryan has hosted every single one of them.
Ryan was a mere 27-years-old when he started hosting “American Idol” in the June of 2002, during the season that would crown Kelly Clarkson the shows first winner. Now 11 seasons later, the bossman is showing no signs of slowing down, as Fox announced today he will continue to host the show in season 12.
“Idol” has amassed over 400 episodes since the show’s incarnation and Ryan has hosted every single one of them, traveling to dozens of cities, greeting hundreds of thousands of hopefuls, and working with seven different judges through the history of the show.
“For the last 11 seasons, I’ve had the privilege to be a part of one of television’s most iconic shows,” said Ryan in the Fox press release. “It’s been a wild ride, and I’m excited for my journey with ‘American Idol’ to continue. The legions of fans, amazingly talented contestants, judges, and producers, along with the hard working Idol crew, impress me every time we go on air and make hosting the show a dream job.”
A true year-round endeavor, pre-production on “Idol” season 12 will begin long before season 11′s finale even takes place on May 22 and 23, with producers beginning to scout cities with untapped talent for the new season’s audition rounds. Look for Ryan back out on the road later this year, as he hits various audition cities, complete with his radio show in tow.
Watch Ryan’s very first episode of “Idol” below in comparison to a clip from Thursday’s results show as the group performed “Dancing In The Street”:
