Ryan Seacrest and Super Bowl dyspeptic combo for fans

By Stone Martindale Aug 19, 2007, 22:03 GMT

05/22/2007 - Ryan Seacrest - - Westwood, CA © David Gabber / Photorazzi

The man who dishes about his metrosexual ways on the air, the highlights in his hair and facials, American Idol host Ryan Seacrest has been announced to intro the Super Bowl.

The entire sports world lit up the Internet over the news that Seacrest will be “entertainment host” of next February’s Super Bowl on Fox.

"It's just wrong," says Chicago Tribune's Mark Caro.

According to Fox Sports, Seacrest’s duties will include introducing the pregame entertainment and interviewing celebrities who show up for the game.

Fox Sports Television Group chairman David Hill said in a statement:

"The Super Bowl has grown to become a landmark holiday on the American calendar, attracting not only the sports world, but the biggest stars in music and entertainment. Naturally, we’d like our broadcast to reflect that growth, so we’ve expanded our pregame lineup beyond the realm of sports."

Fox Sports Chairman David Hill says there's a rationale in using Seacrest that goes beyond using the Super Bowl to cross-promote Fox's biggest hit. Other Fox cross-promotion will include Neil Cavuto, expected to star on Fox's upcoming business channel, to talk about the Super Bowl's impact on, say, avocado sales. "I see Ryan as a latter-day Dick Clark, who was a conduit through which America viewed pop culture," says Hill. "He's on his way toward assuming Dick Clark's mantle."

Said Seacrest, in a statement: "This will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of my career. Seacrest, out."