CNN - LARRY KING LIVE
Aired August 16, 2003
LARRY KING, HOST: Tonight "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest. He's also a No. 1 rated radio host and he's got opinions on lots of things and some them may surprise you. And then Ann Coulter, conservative and outspoken and her books at near the top of the best- seller list. Ryan Seacrest, Ann Coulter, what an hour, next on LARRY KING LIVE. It is my pleasure to introduce my bag carrier. Ryan Seacrest, the host of "American Idol" and "American Juniors", the host and executive producer Ryan Seacrest for "The Ride Home" a top rated week day afternoon talk show here in Los Angeles. He's also a correspondent for the "Tonight Show" and he's got another new show coming this fall. He's one of the hottest media figures in America and he helped carry my bags coming home from France on the same plane recently.
SEACREST, HOST "AMERICAN IDOL": You had 20 textbooks. What were you carrying...
KING: I read a lot.
SEACREST: Well apparently so.
KING: You offered to carry them...
SEACREST: Well, you know, Larry. You had all these bags and your wife went to the shops, I think, and brought even more bags back. And I felt terrible, because I had just a little backpack. And I said, let me carry one of those. The thing weighed more than me.
You know, what I was concerned about the most was, here are you and I walking through the airport and I have a bag that matches yours. And it's, wonder what those people are thinking -- Larry King and Ryan Seacrest on holiday together.
KING: Yes. Lida (ph) matched us up with a wife, yes, ok. Ryan, what do you make of this -- by the way, you're a Californian. What do you make of Schwarzenegger?
SEACREST: It's interesting, we were talking about it on the radio show today, and the majority, it was like 80 percent plus of the callers were in favor. Were in favor.
KING: These are L.A. people, right?
SEACREST: These are L.A. These are Angelino's. These were people that liked the guy. That are excited about it. He's obviously a very likable person. I wasn't quite sure what was going to happen last night, but I'm growing to like him more and more and more. At first I was, "oh I don't know" but I think I'm growing into it.
KING: Let's find out more about you. First, what do you make of the success of Idol?
SEACREST: It's surreal. It is, obviously fantastic to be a part of a machine like that, that is "American Idol". I think that it continues to prove its validity in the star making business. At first it was a television show. It was a live television show, which is fantastic. It's interactive, but what does it really produce? And after you see the winner Kelly Clarkson of the first season, you realize this produces legitimate stars in music.
KING: How did you get the gig?
SEACREST: I had to audition. I had to walk in and do, like a scenario audition, where they would say -- and because I grew up in radio I was familiar with 12 seconds, you know, talking up an intro of a song. So they would say, "all right look, a contestant has just been beaten up by Simon Cowell, OK, he's the British judge of the show and he's not pleasant, and you have to transition from that make them feel good and get to the commercial break and tell them that we're going, you know, to be doing this next. Just go with it." I had to say, hey, I'm so sorry that happened, but you're going to get another shot tomorrow and we'll be right back with more "American Idol" and up next a rising star, I know it. Stand by.
So it was one of those things where they threw a scenario at you. You just had to do it and cross your finger and you always walk out of the room and you doubt yourself.
KING: Did you know it would do well?
SEACREST: I knew it would do well. I had no idea it would be as successful as it was.
KING: Gotten so successful. Here's what "Saturday Night Live" did to our guest. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JIMMY FALLON, "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE": Paula, who do you think should be voted off tonight?
RACHEL DRATCH, "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE": I don't think anyone should be voted off anything ever.
FALLON: Simon?
CHRIS PARNELL, "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE": All I have to say is that I hate you Ryan Seacrest and I hope you get SARS.
FALLON: Hope I get SARS. You going to give it to me, Simon? God, who peed in your Corn Flakes. I did.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SEACREST: Jimmy has got me down. It's scary how good he is at that.
KING: Are you going to remain on radio throughout this TV success?
SEACREST: I am. I love it. I love the immediacy of it. I love the spontaneity of it. I love the fact that every day you see something on TV that you have an opinion about and you want to talk about and the next day you can get on the air and do it.
KING: OK, now, what's the Juniors story? What's "American Juniors?"
SEACREST: "American Juniors" is a warmer show than "American Idol." It's not quite as brutally honest as the adult series, but it's a five-piece band that we're creating as opposed to a solo winner. These are kids ages 6 to 13 or 14 and that we have the finale coming up and the final one'll be voted into the group. And they're going to release a single that will come out on radio very soon after.
KING: Is this show a hit?
SEACREST: This show is not as big as "American Idol," but it's doing well. I think it's definitely fulfilling the expectation of the series and we wanted to put something out there that was fun and warmer than "American Idol."
KING: And tell me about the new thing. You're going to do a daily strip show?
SEACREST: Yes, strip. We have to sort of define that, don't we?
KING: What are you doing?
SEACREST: I am going to do a show that is everything entertainment, 5 days a week, live, for an hour, from the center of Hollywood. It will give you the entertainment news of the day, borrowing some of the aspects of 'Entertainment News" magazine. Taking some variety and a little bit of talk, but it's something that's going to be very exciting and I'll do that just before I "American Idol" live. So we'll do the "Daily Show Live" and then run down the street and do "American Idol."
KING: It's going to be syndicated?
SEACREST: It will be syndicated across the country, yes.
KING: Starting?
SEACREST: January. Same time we launch "American Idol 3".
KING: So wait a minute. You're going to do your radio show, what time is that on?
SEACREST: That's on -- well right now that on in the afternoon in Los Angeles.
KING: So you're going to do the radio.
SEACREST: You're going to figure out the schedule here huh? You're as good as my mother. You're good. There's not a lot of time. There's not a lot of time in between everything, but I really get excited about the synergies that I can create with all the television and the radio.
KING: This live show is going to be called what?
SEACREST: Haven't titled it yet because the title has something to do with the location and as soon as we nail down that location and finish that deal, we're going to announce the title.
KING: This is going to be a live feed.
SEACREST: A live feed.
KING: You'll feed it at what time -- what time will it be seen at America, 5:00?
SEACREST: 5:00. Later in the afternoon.
KING: So it's not going to be a half hour show like "Entertainment Tonight."
SEACREST: No. And it's not to compete with those shows. This is a show that will be difference. We hope that those other news magazines will embrace this type of show, but it will be definitely be an event. It will be live every day. I'm an executive producer and also the host.
KING: How do you like working with amateur contestants?
SEACREST: I love it. I love to see young people in this country identify their passion and pursue it and go after it. As opposed to sitting and waiting for something to happen, I love to see young people be proactive and go after it. Our show is all about that. We discover talent across the country that is in most cases has never been to Hollywood and they get out here and they're overwhelmed but they're working every day to prove that they are a star.
KING: Why does does the critical aspect work? Why does Simon work?
SEACREST: Because its honest. I think, you know, in developing the new television show we want to have honesty in that show. There isn't always enough honesty and you can't have just Simon Cowell on "American Idol", you have to have a balance. I think that the dynamic between all three of those judges and certainly the dynamic between the interaction of the audience, which is a huge part of "American Idol", all of that adds up and equals the successful show that we now know as this big talent competition.
KING: We'll take a break and be back and include your phone calls for Ryan Seacrest, the host of "American Idol" and "American Juniors". He'll have his own show, an hour daily show, that will be seen starting in January and also hosts "Ryan Seacrest for the Ride Home." A top rated weekday afternoon talk show on local radio here in Los Angeles. In fact, it's on radio station Star 98.7. They don't give call letters any more.
SEACREST: No, we used to write KYSR, that's the one. I've got a bunch of them memorized.
KING: From Syracuse.
SEACREST: Yes, there you go.
KING: We'll be right back with Ryan Seacrest right after this. Don't go away.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COWELL: You are on "American Idol". You know nothing about music.
SEACREST: Did you like it better in front of the camera or sort of behind the scenes?
COWELL: I still can't take these questions from you seriously about craving attention when it's Ryan Seacrest asking the question.
SEACREST: This is Simon's bobblehead doll.
PAULA ABDUL, "AMERICAN IDOL": But he's not vain.
COWELL: Ryan Seacrest saying to me, I love the camera, OK.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAY LENO, HOST "THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO": Want to find someone who could blend in perfectly with those ruggedly hard core guys. You know, real men, men. Here he is right now, Ryan Seacrest. Ryan, here you are. How are yes?
SEACREST: Mr. Leno, how are you? Hi, guys.
LENO: Before that I did a joke about you in the monologue. Are you dating Debbie Gibson?
SEACREST: We're not dating, we have the same manicurist. It's always a good first step you know.
LENO: What time is it? Is that a watch or a bathroom scale?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING: Are you wearing that now?
SEACREST: I am wearing that now. It's not a bathroom scale it really is a watch.
KING: Let's show it to the camera, it's humongous.
SEACREST: It's the only thing big on my body.
KING: Trust me, it's big. Before we take calls, Ryan Seacrest before he was famous when he appeared on "Blind Date." Watch.
SEACREST: Look out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEACREST: I don't have a hair color, I don't have a type, it's really about a personality and a connection.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes. If a guy's hot he doesn't have a personality, it's not going to happen. One time I was on a trip and I got on the bar and started dancing and started to do a little strip show and the guy kicked me out because he was afraid I would hurt myself.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SEACREST: I can't really tell you anything as good as that story.
KING: What was with the glasses?
SEACREST: I was pretending to have a different look. Let's say I still haven't found the right woman.
KING: You're still single.
SEACREST: Yes, still single.
KING: Warren, Michigan as I go to calls for Ryan Seacrest of "American Idol", "American Juniors". Seacrest for the ride home. Seacrest everywhere. Hello.
CALLER: Have you been to any of the "American Idol" live concerts?
SEACREST: I have been. I have not been this time around. Have you?
CALLER: Yes. I've actually been to three of them and they're awesome.
SEACREST: Yes they're are a lot fun. Who was your favorite contestant on the show?
CALLER: Clay.
SEACREST: Clay Aiken.
KING: Do you go to -- they are doing try outs now.
SEACREST: We're doing auditions right now.
KING: You go to those?
SEACREST: Yes. We do go to those. I was just at the Rose Bowl and thousands of people lined up to do this all over again. I think that one interesting point and about this next season we're going to see people who may have been cynical about a talent show on TV creating music stars show up this time. I think that's going to be key because we'll find a lot of very talented people along the way.
KING: Baltimore, Maryland for Ryan Seacrest, hello.
SEACREST: Hi, there.
CALLER: Hello. Hi. I want to go into radio. I've done some acting. I have had a little radio experience in college. Could you give me some advice for someone who, I guess, is starting from the bottom.
KING: He's got some good advice. We have been talking about it before we went on.
SEACREST: We were, and I think we both agree, get in the door.
KING: Anywhere.
SEACREST: Do anything anywhere and, you know, build from within. That's what I did. I worked for free at a radio station. I was excited to drive the van to get coffee. And I remembered everyone's name and what they did and strategically -- really strategically worked my way up through the reigns of the radio world.
KING: Were you a radio freak as a kid?
SEACREST: Crazy. Crazy. I would sit in my bedroom and pretend I was Casey Kasem. I would sit and countdown hits in my bedroom.
KING: I did the same thing. Pretend I was an announcer.
SEACREST: Yes. But I was kind of embarrassed. I didn't want anyone to know about it. And I have those tapes somewhere. But I loved it from when I was young.
KING: Phoenix, Arizona, hello.
CALLER: Hi, Larry, thank you for taking my call.
KING: Sure.
CALLER: Were there any contestants that you wanted to date? No names, but were there any that you were interested in.
SEACREST: We could eliminate the two finalists on season two. There are definitely attractive contestants along the way. Some of the women we see across the country are in there 20's, very talented and attractive and driven, but that's against the rules. I try to stay away with that.
KING: Do you agree with selections...
SEACREST: With selections of the...
KING: Winners.
SEACREST: Yes, this was a very tight race. The American public is extremely savvy when it comes to the real deal. We are well read and well studied in the entertainment business. And people have their opinion and what's great about it they all become a judge on "American Idol".
KING: You can't phony this. I can't set up millions of...
SEACREST: You can't set that up.
KING: Chicago, hello.
CALLER: Hi. Ryan. I love "American Idol." I wanted Clay to win, who are you rooting for?
SEACREST: I like both those guys. And I know it sounds like a cop out. It was such a tight race at the end of season two, could have been anybody's win. I think Reuben is deserving but what I liked about what happened out of season two of "American Idol," is that both of these guys have become very successful. Released singles on the top of the charts and are both releasing albums.
KING: Marina Valley, California, hello.
CALLER: Hi, Ryan. I was wondering if you and Simon really get along or is that just an act?
SEACREST: What a loaded question...
KING: Answer it honestly. You're going to do an honest show.
SEACREST: OK. Let's be honest here. At first I really was turned off by that pompous figure we know now as, Simon Cowell. We have grown to be friends and because we are friends we can say anything we want to each other and there is really no line to cross. Anything is open game between he and I on the show.
KING: You like him.
SEACREST: We do like each other.
KING: Annapolis, Maryland. Hello.
CALLER: Hi.
KING: Hi.
CALLER: I wanted to ask if you know there's going to be an "American Juniors" two.
SEACREST: They are planning an "American Juniors" two. Yes. How old are you?
CALLER: I'm 12.
SEACREST: So, you wouldn't want to be part of this group?
CALLER: Yes, I would very much.
SEACREST: 12 years old and has the poised and courage to call in and stand up if they make the show and perform and be judged every week by America.
KING: London, Ontario.
CALLER: Hi Ryan, how are you doing.
SEACREST: Great, thanks for calling.
CALLER: I just wanted to ask you, since you're so busy, what do you do for fun? And do you know what Kimberley Locke is doing right now, because I really liked her. I think should have won.
SEACREST: She's great, isn't she? I think you will see some great things from Kimberly very soon. In terms of what I do, I holiday with Larry King.
KING: We both go to south of France.
SEACREST: We both went to the south of France to take a break. I love good food and I collect wine. I slow it down. I'm pretty amped and hyper when I'm working. I really slow it down and become rather placid when I take my time out.
KING: We'll be back with more moments and more phone calls for Ryan Seacrest. Don't go away.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEACREST: After 24 million votes the winner of "American Idol 2003" is Reuben Studdard.
(APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SEACREST: Welcome to the show. You have made a television phenomenon.
JACKSON: What are you saying, baby?
SEACREST: What did I discover during the commercial break for you?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm not telling.
SEACREST: Oh, come on. Tell us. Her fly was undone. We've got to do it. That's the way the show works. Debbie (ph) is telling me to stretch. We must have plenty of time tonight, huh? Well then, let me spell the word vote. It's v-o- t-e.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING: One of our crack (ph) producers told me to ask you about metrosexuals. Now I'm asking you about something I have no idea what I'm asking.
SEACREST: Metrosexual -- you don't read those articles?
KING: These are people who dress up like they were gay but they're not gay?
SEACREST: I guess something -- it's something like that. I think it's people who are very comfortable with their feminine side and, you know -- sometimes I am maybe too open and too honest about what I do. I've talked about my hair and I've talked about the massage that I like to get every once in awhile, which where like to get once in a while, which is just at a spa and all these things I've learned through women that I've dated but...
KING: But you're not a metrosexual?
SEACREST: I don't think -- I don't think I really am. I'd have to really look that up too...
KING: Me too, because I don't ...
SEACREST: I don't know, but you in that pink and those colors, Larry, I'm not quite sure.
KING: Kent, Ohio, hello.
CALLER: Hello, Larry.
KING: Hi.
CALLER: I -- first of all, Ryan, how is this for poise and courage? Larry, I thought the way you treated Ann Coulter was an absolute disgrace and I was wondering if you were going to take Arnold to the wall with tough question or phone in your interview like...
KING: I don't know what you...
SEACREST: Oh, there she goes.
KING: The way I treated was a -- I don't know what that means. Halifax, Nova Scotia, hello.
CALLER: Hi. Do you prefer doing "American Juniors" or "American Idol"?
SEACREST: Which one do you like the best?
CALLER: I like the "American Juniors."
SEACREST: That's the one I love to do.
KING: How old are you, dear?
CALLER: 9.
SEACREST: Well, that is so great. Thank you for watching both of those shows. They're a lot of fun to do, and I'm really quite frankly happy to have those jobs.
KING: San Francisco, hello.
CALLER: Hi, Larry and hi, Ryan. I have a question for you, Ryan. Did you know that they show "American Idol" in Singapore and that you're hugely popular there?
SEACREST: I didn't know I was hugely popular, but I did know that they aired the show in other countries and that's fantastic.
KING: Seen now live everywhere in the world.
SEACREST: It's great.
KING: It's crazy, isn't it?
SEACREST: It is crazy. It really is. I mean, you're...
KING: Communications.
SEACREST: Well, you're used to people knowing who you are. This is all very new to me. You know, when we travel through the airport I figure that people -- I mean, I -- they're are all pointing and looking at you saying, that's Larry King -- and then you hear somebody says that's Ryan Seacrest with Larry King and I think, Oh my God. That's right.
KING: Are you getting to like it?
SEACREST: I think you'd rather -- you get into this business -- I'm not going to lie -- because you want people to see what you're doing and you want to be known.
KING: But at times you like a little anonymity.
SEACREST: Every now and then, but I always take the time. I really do. I always -- I was on a plane last night and I always appreciate every -- at this point, still, every single person. And I notice that you did the same thing. You signed autographs in the airport.
KING: Oh, I like people.
SEACREST: I do.
KING: You got an AT&T deal?
SEACREST: Yes. We just did this AT&T deal where I'm going to do a series of things for them on television and print and on the radio.
KING: Spokesman?
SEACREST: Yes, spokesperson deal.
KING: For what aspect? Long distance?
SEACREST: The text messaging. You know, this has become huge with the younger demographics in America and it was a big part of "American Idol."
KING: You're about to be a mogul. You're an industry.
SEACREST: Right, so it's mogul -- metrosexual -- all right.
KING: Keep mogul.
SEACREST: The adoration is killing me. Mogul. Got it.
KING: Portland, Oregon, hello.
CALLER: Hi.
KING: Hi.
CALLER: First of all, I'd like to say I think "American Idol" is wonderful. Thirty years ago, when I was singing I had to lug my guitar everywhere with my partner and I just think it's a wonderful venue. My question is -- was about Kimberly Locke also. But elaborate a little bit. Has she gotten a recording contract?
SEACREST: You know, I don't have the specifics of a deal in terms of Kimberly Locke. I know that she had a huge following and obviously being on that show for as many weeks as she was on, she's developed a fan base. And that's -- that really is half the battle, isn't it? I mean, when you come out of a show and already have a built-in fan base, like yourself for Kimberly, you want to get product out there because you have people that you know will go buy your record and support you. And again, another wonderful thing and positive about that television series.
KING: Atlanta, hello.
CALLER: Hi, Ryan. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever said or asked you?
SEACREST: The weirdest thing has ever said or ever asked me? I don't get too many weird things. I don't even know if I have an answer for that. They're usually pretty nice. Fortunately, they're not too negative and...
KING: You began in Atlanta.
SEACREST: Atlanta is my hometown.
KING: That's where you were born?
SEACREST: I was born and raised in Atlanta. My first radio job was at WSTR, Star 94 in Atlanta.
KING: What was your first thing on the air?
SEACREST: First thing on the air was the night when the disc jockey I was supposed to get coffee for didn't show up and I -- it was a Sunday night and I knew the program director, the boss was out of town, and I decided to break open the mike and I just did it and I got what they call hotlined. The program director called me and he said, I'm coming home from the airport. What are you doing? And I thought, This is it. I'm done. I came in the next day and he said, You know, I liked the fact that you took a chance. I'm going to work with you and I'm going to teach you how to do this.
KING: Smart guy.
SEACREST: And it worked out. But you know, you have to take chances. You have to take risks. You have to be smart about it. And I've always approached this business with a strategy. I believe that, you know, -- you know, people who are much more successful than I, superstars in this business, it's not by chance. I think it's part of who they are from when they were very young and most of them have strategized to get them to the place where they are today. They may not all be as talented as the other, but they really have a special kind of drive and persistence.
KING: Yes. All of them.
SEACREST: All of them
KING: You're on your way, man.
SEACREST: Thanks. Good to see you.
KING: Ryan Seacrest, the host -- pick up my bags and get out of here. Ryan...
SEACREST: Not the heavy one again!
KING: Ryan Seacrest, the host of "American Idol" and "American Juniors," the radio show "Ryan Seacrest For the Ride Home" and the still unnamed new show coming this fall.