Ryan Seacrest Joins NBC Network for Olympics Coverage
Ryan Seacrest announced that he is joining the NBC network after months of media speculation. While initial reports suggested that the he was gunning for "Today" show host Matt Lauer's job, the E! Network host confirmed that he has been recruited to cover the London Olympics this summer.
"I've worked with the E! Network for years, and NBC Universal and E! are in the same family. The plan is for me to join the NBC family and continue to have a role at the E! network. The first assignment will be to join the prime time team for the Olympics on NBC," Seacrest recently told Lauer on the "Today" show.
Rumors of Seacrest replacing Lauer began in December after reports that NBC executives met with the "American Idol" judge for preliminary talks about replacing 54-year-old Lauer, whose contract is reportedly up in 2013, according to People magazine.
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Seacrest, 37, made light of those rumors while being interviewed on the "Today" show on Tuesday after Lauer asked him what he and NBC executives had discussed during recent meetings.
"Oh, they didn't tell you?" Seacrest jokingly responded, as snickers from crew members could be heard in the background.
Lauer continued to press Seacrest, even asking whether he could ever see himself doing his "Today" show hosting job.
"There's nobody better than you," Seacrest said adding "I see YOU doing this for as long as you want to, so maybe the question is, how long will you be on the 'Today' show?"
Lauer was quick to assure viewers that there is "no tension" between he and Seacrest.
"I think you'd be great at this job," Lauer told Seacrest.
Seacrest's impressive resume already includes Fox's "American Idol" host, "E! News" host, producer, voice actor and radio host.
He has been dating professional dancer and actress Julianne Hough since 2010s but the pair has denied reports that they are engaged.
