I've loved Ryan in all seasons up to now..
..but is anybody finding him really intolerable this season?

Well he seemed to be getting up Simon's nose on the show didn't he

I've always found him intolerable in "generic presenter" kind of way-this season he has been worse.

I wonder if he'll last another series- Cowell might fire him for getting up his nose.

Liked Paula taking the mick though- wont do Cowell any harm to get a dose of his own medicine

I don't mind Paula joking with Simon.. after all, it's the banter between Judges' that is best. But it isn't Ryan's job to even question any of the Judges' comments.

He's just being really snotty to Simon, and I've noticed that he's really bad at reading the autocue too lol, looking slightly left of the camera. Only just noticed and it's annoying me a lot now...

Paula is great- she is the perfect foil for Cowell who I think really does like and respect her. At least she stands up to him and doesn't let him boss her around

Seacrest is losing it though

Yeah, I agree. I think Simon does respect her.. and even though he joked about not wanting to congratulate her on her music video the other week, I think he probably did back stage.

I found the whole Throwing of the Water-Gate a couple of years ago (season four?) funny.. but now Ryan's attitude is totally offputting. I cringe whenever he says anything..

Well he and Cowell nearly had a row last night...

I like him...and realize that most of the "arguing" is in good fun.
I do hate when it takes away from discussing the contestants, though...

Yes it is, when the comment makes no sense(See Paula), or when Simon is overly cruel. It's Ryan's job to take something positive for the contestant before getting into the numbers, it's his job to stir things up and move the show along. Whatever you think his job is, it's NOT to just blandly read the autocue and kiss Simon's overly kissed ass.




Exactly. Don't any of you that watch The X-Factor notice a pattern?

Doesn't it seem a bit strange that on both series there are people that "get up Simon's nose?"

You think maybe it might perhaps be DESIGNED that way? Simon and Ryan are great friends. It's always been this way. Reports have them talking and joking at the judges table during the ad breaks. They go out for dinner regularly and Simon has refered to Ryan has one of his best friends.

Simon encourages Ryan to go after him. "Ryan vs. Simon" is a huge part of American Idol. Believe me that he is no danger of being fired. Ryan being fired would be a shock, even to people who don't like him.

And If Paula Abdul can retain her job after the last couple years, anyone should.


WOW. I could not POSSIBLY disagree with you more here.

P.S. The only Simon that could fire Ryan is Simon FULLER. Cowell doesn't have the control here and he wouldn't fire Ryan anyways. In fact it's quite clear from the hiring of Dermot O'Leary that he likes a presenter in Ryan's style.

I have never liked him, he's one of America's most shallow, tedious, plastic, insincere 'hosts'. Part of the problem is that there is really very little of substance for the host to do, the format was originally created for Ant and Dec and they spent much time larking around and doing comedy sketches. All the interesting stuff is done by others, but I find the script writers' attempts to beef up his role with the fake Simon rivalry thing tedious. I never watch the show as broadcast but record it and then speed through Seacrest, the endless rehashes of everything and the million breaks per hour. You can get through a one hour show in about 25 mins that way with just the VT clips, the songs and the judges' comments.

I thought Ryan must have been on something during the performance show. All that dancing around on the stage was just plain weird

He was definately in a strange mood on Thursdays show and making odd comments towards Simon but I do think it is part of an act and it has been going on every season. I am pretty sure him and Simon are good friends and there is nothing nasty in it. I actually think he is one of the better presenters on tv and dont understand why the banter annoys some people, it is harmless fun.

I agree. It's Season SEVEN. With all the power Cowell supposedly wields, if he really was annoyed with Ryan, don't you think Ryan would have been long gone by now? Clearly it's a joke and harmless.

And again I point to the X-Factor and Sharon and Louis. Clearly Simon enjoys being around people that don't make it easy for him. That's actually a good thing.

Yeah, and that strange scrubbing of Chikezie?

I see what you're saying that Simon would have gotten rid of him. But I mean, Ryan is just being rude for the sake of being rude. I understand the scripting of a rivalry, but he says things at really inappropriate times..

He says "things" exactly when he and Simon work out when to say things. You can't convince me otherwise. As for "being rude for the sake of being rude" I guess he learns well from Mr. Cowell. He does that often. Sometimes he's being "honest", and sometimes he's fishing for a soundbite.

Obviously - far too much money at stake for loose cannons to be on the show.

Except Paula obviously (who is brilliant and the show would be less without her).

I've always liked Ryan, think he's a great presenter.

I like Ryan. I think he's a really good presenter. Much slicker than any of his British counterparts and much wittier

i like ryan and american idol wouldn't be the same without him.i love the banter between him and simon.

You have to credit Ryan with a quick wit, yes ok much of the banter is partially scripted, but backstage he always seems to throw something off-the-cuff into the interview/conversation.

My problem with him this year is he doesn't seem too interested in the competition, which after 7 years is fair enough I suppose, but with all the people complaining year-on-year that the format is stale and boring, perhaps if the host showed a bit more geniune enthusiasm for the whole thing (outside of their pay cheque) then the viewers might follow suit?!

I agree talent shows can be very dull sometimes, and the faux squabbling between the judges somewhat compensates (although sometimes that itself can be the most boring aspect of the whole thing when they get repetitive and just plain petty), but I feel sorry for those contestants that are really talented but who are overshadowed during their time on stage by this silliness... there's a time and place for it and they should be more respectful... just my opinion

...great example of Ryan on good form, Chris Sligh in the top 24 last year, upsetting Simon, Simon calling Ryan "sweetheart" cos he got all flustered, the look on Ryan and Simon's faces, priceless These moments do make the show

Ryan is fine. The problem is Cowell with his ego.

He can if he wants on behalf of the contestant or the viewer.

I can't see a problem with Seacrest as a presenter. I think he does a fine job and I like the banter between him and Cowell.