Geez, is there anyone out there who REALLY believes that 'American Idol' would be unable to be just as successful with a trained chimp - or even Jim - hosting the program?

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The New York Post reports that the near universally reviled Ryan Seacrest has signed a deal to return as host of the upcoming second installment of Fox's American Idol.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Seacrest has signed a deal worth close to $1 million to return to "Idol." As of Friday, his former co-host Brian Dunkleman had yet to sign a deal - and sources have speculated that Fox might be looking to pair Seacrest with a contestant from the first "Idol," most likely a female.