Ryan Seacrest to host 'Idol' reboot for ABC

Unless Ryan Seacrest has an identical twin we don't know about, the busiest man in show business is about to become busier.

South Jersey's Kelly Ripa announced Thursday on Live with Kelly and Ryan that her practically fresh-out-of-the-box cohost was adding another gig to his plate, returning as host to American Idol, the former Fox hit that's being rebooted next season at ABC.

If Ripa seems a lot more excited by this than she did when previous cohost Michael Strahan got a new job at ABC's Good Morning America, it's because Seacrest's going to continue to do their show, too, adding Idol to a list of jobs that includes hosting and producing ABC's annual live show Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest, hosting and producing On Air with Ryan Seacrest, the morning drive-time Los Angeles radio show that he does from New York, as well as a nationally syndicated Top 40 radio show.

Seacrest also has a production company. That's responsible for  Keeping Up with the Kardashians (and its many spinoffs) as well as NBC's Jennifer Lopez cop drama Shades of Blue.

It's American Idol, though, that made him famous.

"It's genuinely hard to put into words what American Idol means to me," Seacrest said in a statement released by ABC. "I'm so grateful for the show and all the career and life opportunities it's allowed me to experience. It's been an incredible journey from day one. To be asked to return this year, at my new home at Disney/ABC, is an honor, if not a bit surreal. I believe ABC is the perfect home for Idol, and I've every confidence the show's legions of fans will love it — especially Idol's best traditions of showcasing heartwarming stories, remarkable talent discovery, and, best of all, making dreams come true."

"We are thrilled to be ushering in this new era of American Idol with Ryan at the helm," said Channing Dungey, president, ABC Entertainment. "So much of American Idol's overwhelming success can be attributed to Ryan, whose larger-than-life personality and laudable dedication to creating quality entertainment has made him a true master of his craft. His talent is limitless, and I can't think of a more appropriate person to honor the Idol legacy as it takes on new life than the man who has been there through it all."

ABC's announcement didn't specify how Seacrest would manage his time.

Auditions for the show begin Aug. 17 with a bus tour. Details are here.