Ryan Seacrest Remembers Dick Clark On ‘American Idol’
Tonight’s American Idol began on a somber note as host Ryan Seacrest addressed the death of his good friend, mentor and colleague, Dick Clark.
“We can’t begin tonight’s show without acknowledging the passing of a television pioneer, and my dear friend, Dick Clark. Without Dick, a show like this would not exist. He will be missed greatly. Our thoughts and our prayers go out to his family,” Seacrest said. He then continued with a smile, “I know that he’s in a better place saying, ‘hey, let’s get on with the show, k?’ You got it, boss.”
Immediately upon hearing the news of Dick Clark’s death on Wednesday (Apr. 18), Seacrest tweeted “I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend Dick Clark. He has truly been one of the greatest influences in my life.” That influence is readily apparent, as Seacrest has a hand in so many influential media outlets — from E! to Idolto the Olympics — a path which Clark laid out decades before. Since 2005, the two television personalities had worked together on New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.
