Casey Kasem's quote about Ryan Seacrest

[lacrosseboy]

I had been looking for this forever; I remembered reading it somewhere.  I had thought of it again when all of the RST40 nonsense was going on this weekend. So I went back into the Internet Archive, and I found it on Ryan Seacrest's website.

"He's got what it takes,' says "American Top 40' kingpin Casey Kasem. "There are people in this business who are as comfortable in front of the camera as they are behind it -- Merv Griffin and Dick Clark come to mind. Ryan is a real pro and there's always room at the top for people who have the talent and energy.'

web.archive.org/web/20031203151302/www.ryanseacrest.com/story7.html

[JCMF3]

You forgot to mention how much money Casey then received after saying that quote. ;)

[chebingeo]

I don't call it RST40 because of the host.

[j]

chebingeo said:

I don't call it RST40 because of the host.

Of course not - the host's not black.

[lacrosseboy]

chebingeo said:

I don't call it RST40 because of the host.

Then why?

I sure miss when Casey left CKT40 earlier this year. Does anybody remember SST40?

[chebingeo]

If they start using official chart data instead of questionable chart data, then I'll stop with the RST40.

[lacrosseboy]

But that isn't RST40 then. 

RR has it's share of troubles too, like payola.  Don't forget that AT40 used to use Billboard's Hot 100 instead of R&R.

Ryan Seacrest didn't choose the chart.  Upper management did.  Should'nt you call the show UMPT40 for Upper Management at Premiere Top 40?  That would be more accurate.

Ryan has nothing to do with it.

I am certain that I am sounding like a minion in favor of everything the show does; that is not so. I am trying to give everyone insight onto what is happening there and why. The last thing I want to be is a minion.

[krazymack]

j said:

Of course not - the host's not black.

LOL, good one. :)

[billme]

I don't know where threads like this go, except for endless debate with grounded minds.  To survive in the coporate radio business, you make concessions.  One of them is to do what the boss wants done, yes, even if your name is behind the product and you don't like it.  Seacrest is quickly doing everything that Shadoe Stevens did in those terms.

When Seacrest said on Larry King Live that he wants to get into TV directing, the message is clear that radio & radio shows are not his only love.  Therefore, it is highly unlikely that the chart method or even following the charts are his main interest, which makes it tough when some listeners do.  With Casey, you always felt like he was a fan of the charts.

AT40 and Ryan Seacrest are not a good match with the chart bluffs.  However, how can Premeire turn down the "hottest new" TV personality that likes radio when the AT40 numbers were suffering.  The thinking is that the chart bluffs can always turn to Casey's "other shows" as AT40withRS can reach this new, younger audience for the first time.

If this is case, it's likely that those same younger listeners would assume that American Top 40  is a spin-off of American Idol (with Ryan Seacrest hosting).  Yes, it very possible.  AT40 means nothing to these listeners, so why not go with the show name of "Ryan's Seacrest's American Top 40" than "American Top 40 with Ryan Seacrest".  The focus of the show has clearly shifted from the songs and artists to Ryan Seacrest, so put his name first in the show's title.  It's no diss just a better way to reach the market of Seacrest fans.

[Edf85]

j said:

Of course not - the host's not black.

rofl.

[reception]

Torin said:

I sure miss when Casey left CKT40 earlier this year.  Does anybody remember SST40?

Shadoe Stevens? Yes, I have three of his shows.