At last night’s L.A.  Confidential party celebrating his cover story, “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest told People magazine his feelings about former contestant Jennifer Hudson, who lost her mother, brother and nephew last week.

“We’re praying for her. I sent her an e-mail to share my sorrow for what she went through and asked her if there was anything we could do. It’s horrible. I know Jennifer and I always liked her spirit, her strength, her charm, her charisma. She’s a strong girl and a special girl.”

If you think Ryan Seacrest is just the host of American Idol and random E! Entertainment shows, then you’re way off base. Behind the scenes (and the oh-so-super-pearly smile), Ryan is actually on his way to building a media empire. According to Nikki Finke’s Deadline Hollywood, Ryan Seacrest Productions just signed a multi-year deal with Comcast Entertainment Group, which expands his TV and media production business. The agreement gives Comcast first-look rights to all of his company’s projects until 2011. Besides hosting American Idol and commentating on E!, Ryan also has a syndicated radio show and a morning radio program in Los Angeles. He also produces a few of E!’s reality shows, including Keeping Up with the Kardashians and Denise Richards: It’s Complicated. Comcast’s family of networks include E!, the Style Network, G4, Versus, Golf Channel, exercise TV, FEARnet, Comcast Sportsnet and PBS Kids Sprout. Ryan now has access to create programming for all these networks. Does someone have Ryan Seacrest’s email address? I need to send him my resume.

I remember when Ryan Seacrest was just on the radio and now he’s everywhere. As if the American Idol hosting gig and the E! spots aren’t enough, he may be able to add CNN to his list of homes. A close source within CNN is saying that Ryan, who has filled in for Larry King before, is in serious negotiations with the network to take over Larry King Live in 2009. Larry King actually told the NY Times last year that Ryan would be his first choice to take over the show. Then again Larry just signed a contract extension with CNN through 2011, so this may just be hogwash. If he is to take over this type of show, Ryan’s going to have to be very well versed and knowledgeable about politics and current events around the world. It’s one thing to interview a fallen American Idol contestant, but it’s definitely a different ballgame when he has to talk to political figures.

Please excuse the bad play on names, but I thought maybe the Alvin and the Chimpunks reference would be cute. I guessed wrong. In any case, Fox announced the scheduling of the seventh season of American Idol today. The season is set to begin with a pair of two hour segments that will run on two consecutive nights, January 15 & 16.  That’s right folks, it’s the seventh season. Our old friends Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Ryan Seacrest will once again grace your television sets. So for all you American Idol fans, get your TiVo ready because it’s going to be a great season. Seven’s a lucky number, so I predict that this will be the best Idol season yet. And I also predict that the Green Bay Packers will win the Super Bowl, but don’t bet any money on that.

Ryan Seacrest wasn’t immune to the big weekend sales, so he spent some time at The Grove this weekend to do some Christmas shopping. And although it looked like he was having a ball walking around the outdoor shopping area with his friend, he discovered a not-so-merry gift afterwards – a flat tire. Yes, Ryan Seacrest of American Idol fame had a flat tire at The Grove. Oh my goodness, that must have sucked so much. Imagine being in the midst of Christmas shopping frenzy and you get a flat tire. The shopping alone is stressful enough, but a flat tire is just like realizing you gave the valet a $50 tip instead of a $5 goodie. Yes, one of those. And the funny thing is Ryan was all smiles the whole time he was looking at his tire, motioning like he was going to fix it himself. C’mon now Ryan, was there a need for an impromptu acting gig yesterday? I think Paula Abdul could probably change her flat tire before you can. No offense, but you seem the type that likes to keep your clothes clean and that’s not a bad thing at all. Anyway, we hope Ryan got his tire fixed and is now at home safe, sound and clean. More pics for you coming right up.