Ryan Seacrest Is No. 1 on THR’s Reality Power List

Multihyphenante producer, radio personality and American Idol host Ryan Seacrest tops The Hollywood Reporter’s fourth annual Reality Power List.

Seacrest ousts his former Idol colleague Simon Cowell from the No. 1 spot — which he held in 2009 and 2010 — to lead a roster of 50 industry heavyweights in the reality television world. With The X Factor not yet on the air Stateside, Cowell dropped to No. 6 this year. (Seacrest was ranked No. 5 in 2010.)

The rankings were determined by, among other things: Having a reputation for quality and innovation within the business; the indelible mark one makes on his or her shows as overseeing executive, producer, or talent; ones overall impact on pop culture, and the “watercooler” factor: Ones ability to create dramatic, comedic and can’t-miss TV moments.

PHOTOS: Ryan Seacrest's eclectic career

In Seacrest’s case, it is an ever-expanding slate of buzzworthy programs that landed him at No.1, including: a resurgent Idol in the wake of Cowell’s high-profile departure; an Emmy win in August for the Seacrest-produced Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution; and four iterations of the red-hot Kardashian franchise. Similarly working in his favor is the power of the Ryan Seacrest brand, which reaches an audience of more than 35 million weekly — and that’s just on TV.

Lifetime and History head Nancy Dubuc moves up to fifth place from No. 15 in 2010, while Jersey Shore producer SallyAnn Salsano (No. 10) and Kitchen Chef’s Gordon Ramsay (No. 20) also make repeat appearances. Morgan J. Freeman, the executive producer of Teen Mom, and Brent Montgomery, the man behind Pawn Stars, make their Reality List debuts at No. 24 and 32, respectively. Kris Jenner, the power behind the Kardashian empire, comes in at No. 50.

Power list bios are below. Click here to read the full story, "Ryan Seacrest: The New King of Reality TV."

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