Curtains for Casey James on American Idol

Did anyone think that Casey would survive this week's American Idol cut? Notes posted around the Internet overwhelmingly opined that it was time for Casey to leave -- and, indeed, the Idol judges seemed to be ready to lead him to the door.

But what a run it has been for North Texas' Casey James!

"I'm so thankful for the opportunity," smiled James -- even after his elimination. "It's been an amazing, amazing journey and I'm so thankful that I'm here.

As with departing contestants, James got to sing a farewell song. He chose John Mayer's Daughters -- which had been judges Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi's choice for him in this week's competition. Confident, smiling and seemingly still happy, James delivered the song with ample tenderness and style.

There was a sense that Casey may have expected that it was his week to go -- and that he was ready to move on to the Idol tour and showing America that he deserves to be a star.

Indeed, elimination from the American Idol competition often signals less about defeat and more about moving ahead in a career. Runner-up Adam Lambert has become a super star -- as has Chris Daughtry. And how about Jennifer Hudson, Katharine McPhee, Clay Aiken and Kimberley Locke -- none of whom won the American Idol coveted crown!

“I never thought I'd get this far,” Casey admitted to host Ryan Seacrest. “But to me, it's like winning $10 million in the lottery and $100 million in the lottery. It's so much more than I expected, so it can't be bad.”

As the Dallas News reports: "For a guy who doesn't own a TV — and drove all night to auditions in Denver at the urging of his mom, who lent him her truck because there was no way his would make the trip — landing in the semifinals of the world's most popular talent show proved a bit overwhelming. As James Casey watched footage of last week's screaming-filled visit to North Texas Dallas/Fort Worth and his hometown of Cool, he fought back tears." Sphere: Related Content

RYAN SEACREST INKS DEAL BELIEVED TO MAKE HIM THE RICHEST REALITY SHOW HOST EVER!

It is official! Ryan Seacrest just masterfully inked a $45 million deal that is believed to make him the absolute richest realty show host in history!

This comes just one day after American Idol Frenzy authored an exclusive article highlighting Seacrest’s rise to fame not just in front of reality show cameras, but as one of the most successful masters on the business side of reality television.

Seacrest’s new contract – which more than triples his previous almost $5 million contract -- will keep him as host of “American Idol” for another three years. And it provides for the opportunity for Seacrest and his Ryan Seacrest Productions to take on addition projects with “American Idol” creator Simon Fuller.

Already Seacrest anchors E! Entertainment News, as well as hosting a syndicated radio talk show and the radio countdown show “American Top 40.”

CKX, the parent company of American Idol producer 19 Entertainment, will have exclusive primetime rights to Seacrest for not only American Idol, but also for any other show that might succeed it, according to industry sources.

Meanwhile, word has still not come of breakthroughs in contract negotiations with American Idols’ judges – so that is likely next on the CKX agenda. But Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi all say that they want to return for the next season, and Simon Cowell, regardless of the outcome of his contract negotiations, will return for one more year under his current contract. The British media have reported that Cowell, whose current deal has been estimated at $36 million a year, wants $100 million a year under a new contract, according to Reuters.com.

While ratings have slipped for American Idol, it still remains the highest-rated series on television. Currently auditions for the show are being held around the country, and the show’s last season contestants are in the midst of a summer tour. Sphere: Related Content

RYAN SEACREST IN PROCESS OF INKING DEAL THAT WOULD MAKE HIM ONE OF THE HIGHEST PAID TELEVISION REALITY SHOW HOSTS

American Idol host Ryan Seacrest may soon have a whole lot to sing about! If a deal reportedly in the works becomes finalized, the popular host will become one of the highest paid front men on any television reality show!

Seacrest’s current contract with Fox, which expires at the end of the 2010 season, already gives the handsome and popular host almost $5 million a season for his work on American Idol. This amounts to something in the neighborhood of $100,000 per episode.

And reportedly the new deal being discussed is a three-year extension on the American Idol television show with a “major pay raise,” according to industry sources. In addition, the new contract may allow him to develop new projects with American Idol creator Simon Fuller and with 19 Entertainment.

Besides his hosting on American Idol, E! News and on his radio shows, Seacrest has produced unscripted series including “Keeping Up With the Kardashians,” “Denise Richards, It’s Complicated” and a new program featuring British chef Jamie Oliver.

All four of the American Idol judges have reportedly been in contract negotiations – with Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Kara DioGuari saying that they want to return for the next season. But it is unclear where Simon Cowell stands because it has also been reported that he might leave the show when his contract is up after next season. Sphere: Related Content