“Ryan, half the band’s back together,” noted Randy Jackson, filling in for Kelly Ripa on Live with Kelly and Ryan Thursday morning (August 10). ABC appears to be doing a bit of promotion ahead of next week’s American Idol auditions by bringing together former judge Jackson and host Ryan Seacrest.
Ryan kicked off the nostalgic chat noting that the two met over 15 years ago. “It seems like yesterday,” the dawg replied as throwback photos of Ryan, Randy, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell flashed up on the screen. The two dished about their first day on the show.
“I remember walking in and seeing this guy who had just finished a cigarette,” Ryan reminisced. “And he strolls in. And his pants were above his navel…and his shirt, it was from the Baby Gap.” Ryan continued. “THIS GUY is on our show?” Of course, he’s talking about Simon Cowell. Ryan goes on to explain that the snarly judge became a “very good friend of ours.”
Will FOX Schedule “The Four” Against American Idol and The Voice?
American Idol: ABC Eyeing Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Charlie Puth for Panel
Ryan Seacrest to Host American Idol Reboot – Official Announcement
Randy quipped, “I think he’s doing a little show called ‘somebody still has talent in America’ or something?” referring to the NBC summer juggernaut, America’s Got Talent. “It’s nice for him to do those little shows on the side,” Ryan deadpanned.
Life on American Idol was full of hijinks, particularly between the dudes.
“All of us on the show from the beginning–especially the guys…nothing was off limits for us to say on the air.” Ryan went on tell a story about a night after he had broken up with a girlfriend. “I was kind of bummed about it, but you’ve got to go on TV and smile and be happy…” Ryan asked the crew not to allude to the breakup on air. Randy and Simon promised to have his back, but then, “We’re not on the air 3 1/2 minutes,” Ryan explained and Simon brings it up, wondering why Ryan looked so tired. Randy responded by flat out revealing that Ryan had just been through a breakup.
“This typifies our relationship,” Ryan laughs, a little exasperated, “This is exactly why, I guess, people watch the show. We never knew what was going to happen.” Randy added, “We were very competitive, very good friends–still the best of friends…a fraternity of sorts.”
Check out the chat below. American Idol auditions begin next Thursday, August 17 at Walt Disney World on the east Coast and Portland Oregon on the west coast. The new season premiers on ABC in 2018.
