For Ryan Seacrest, mega-broadcast star, it was a dubious start. His first major TV gig? Hosting "Gladiators 2000," a 1994 teenage version of the pumped-up, battling muscleheads show. Other short-lived series followed (anyone remember "Wild Animal Games" or "The New Edge" or — we kid you not — the Internet-themed game show "Click"?). Then, in 2002, "American Idol" debuted and launched his toothy grin into the media universe. A look at the many faces of Total Seacrest Domination:

Talk Show Ryan: He substitute-hosts for Larry King and Regis Philbin, and the rumors begin that he someday might don the suspenders or hold the coffee cup in a post-Larry, post-Regis world.

Mogul Ryan: With his own company — Ryan Seacrest Productions — and more than a dozen exec-producer credits (mostly red-carpet arrival shows), we're green with greenbacks envy.

Super Ryan: As host of Fox's pregame Super Bowl coverage, he chatted up celebrities arriving at the game. Next step: calling the action in the booth?

Red Carpet Ryan: Seacrest's ability to carry on while interviewing Jennifer Garner at this year's Oscars — as a big, scary, hulking Gary Busey crashes the scene — shows Seacrest can stand tall (or at least tall-ish) during a celeb crisis.

Baby New Year Ryan: With Dick Clark at last acting (and, alas, showing) his age, he selected Seacrest as his New Year's Eve co-host. Surely one day Clark will fully knight Ryan.

Emcee Ryan: He was margarine-smooth as Emmy host last year. With this year's "American Idol" premiere getting bigger ratings than the Oscars, Seacrest seems destined to dance with Hollywood's Golden Boy.