America's new entertainment guru.

• Position: Q&A - Brief Article - Interview

Ryan Seacrest, the 29-year-old host of American Idol, has come a long way since he led the Pledge of Allegiance over the loudspeakers at Atlanta's Dunwoody High. He recently replaced Casey Kasem as the radio voice of American Top 40 and he has a new TV show, On Air With Ryan Seacrest. The New York Times asked him about his expanding media presence.

Was, hosting American Top 40 a big goal of yours?

I've always had this plan of doing what Dick Clark did--producing and hosting radio and television and building a business from it. After I guest-hosted the show a few months ago, we did the deal for me to take it over, and of course the success of American Idol helped with that.

Is American Idol changing the pop-music scene?

I think we're showing that there is more than one way to launch a star. It could have been a great TV show, but not have any...