Ryan Seacrest Talks 'American Idol' Reboot and Kelly Clarkson Joining 'The Voice'

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Ryan Seacrest has yet to officially sign on as the host of ABC's American Idol reboot, but admits that he's "sorting through the details of it."

The 42-year-old TV personality -- who hosted all 15 seasons of Idol when it aired on Fox -- spoke kindly of the singing competition series returning to TV during a recent interview with Variety. "I love the show. I have great affection for the show," he said. "I think the show will be tremendously successful on ABC."


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As for any changes he would make to the program, Seacrest feels the Idol format is pretty seamless. "I think there are tweaks that the show will make and can make to update itself for 2017. At the core, the format is the format," he explained. "That's the strength of the show. The storytelling and the talent. That's what will make this show special. I don't think you reinvent the wheel. It is a strong format and a strong show."

When asked how he would manage to both host Idol in Los Angeles, California, and co-host with Kelly Ripa on their daily talk show, Live, in New York City, Seacrest confessed that he's still figuring that out.

Meanwhile, it was announced in May that American Idol alum Kelly Clarkson would be a coach on NBC's competing program, The Voice, on season 14. "I'm happy if she's doing what she wants to do and she's happy," Seacrest said of Clarkson -- who was the first Idol winner. "That first season [of Idol] was so special. I've always been a fan of hers. ...She's going to be great on The Voice as well."


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Prior to news breaking that Clarkson was joining The Voice, Seacrest spoke exclusively to ET about the possibility of her judging on Idol. "She is incredible," he said, praising the 35-year-old singer. "She was so remarkable and sincere and lovely when she came on at the last season. I think she'd made a fantastic judge."

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