ryan seacrest. and i m brian and this is the theater in hollywood, possibly the most televised theater in the world. three months from now, live on this very stage, an as yet unknown talent will be launched into superstardom. we don t know who that is yet. right now they could be parking cars where they could be waiting on tables. who knows? what we do know is by the end of summer, that summer s life will change forever. because you at home decide who will become the next american idol. and the person s life that changed for ever, that guy. last thing before we go tonight, we ll of fortune. it was officially announced today that longtime american idol host ryan seacrest will replace patsy jack sajak. they said secret pat sajak said he will be retiring after the upcoming season and called the four decade long gig a wonderful ride. get this, at the height of its popularity in the 19 80s, wheel of fortune, heavy nightly audience of 40 million viewers. and today the show