It will be a "New Year's Rockin' Eve" again this year when CARRIE UNDERWOOD, MILEY CYRUS and the JONAS BROTHERS join DICK CLARK and RYAN SEACREST in Times Square for a musical extravaganza.

"Carrie has proven over the last couple of years that she really is a superstar," Ryan tells ET. "She may be the most successful 'Idol' to come from our show. I think she reaches out and connects with a lot of different age groups and demographics. She really has hit a super stride right now. Miley Cyrus -- you've seen the news. You can't even get those tickets. And the Jonas Brothers, I tell you this, I have had every artist that has made the charts in my studio or on the radio show, and the biggest crowd of teenagers and parents gathered for the Jonas Brothers. I think it is a score to have them all."

It is no secret that Dick Clark, along with CASEY KASEM and LARRY KING, was a role model of Ryan's when he was growing up. The "American Idol" host will be the first to admit that working with the TV legend has been a great learning experience.

"I could never figure out why he wore those obnoxious headphones, but now I know. You can't hear yourself think in the middle of Times Square," Ryan fills in ET. "I used to look forward to New Year's Eve. If you were home or at a party somewhere, ["New Year's Rockin' Eve"] made you feel that you were a part of that event in Times Square. I think that is what Dick did so brilliantly for so many years."

"Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" begins airing at 10 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 31, on ABC, and will also feature performances by FERGIE, AKON, NATASHA BEDINGFIELD, SEAN KINGSTON, ONEREPUBLIC, PLAIN WHITE T's, TAYLOR SWIFT and WILL.I.AM.