Just how close are Us Weekly web chief Ken Baker and American Idol host-slash-E! News managing editor-slash-On Air radio show host? "Thisclose," in the parlance of print gossip copy.
It's no secret the twosome have a special relationship, made public to watchful insiders after Baker (working with Us paparazzi pals Flynet) helped Seacrest set up Teri Hatcher with a documented smoochfest. But ever since Baker took over Us' online operations, Seacrest's name and pictures have been popping up with the frequency of a Greg Lindsay byline.
Factor in Baker's being a regular on Seacrest's On Air radio show – which Ken refers to as "my radio show," a source says – and the synergy becomes quite apparent. (Also, it's Kick Us' Ass Around Day 'round these parts.)
Apparent except to, say, Us maestra Janice Min, who continues to turn a blind eye to her former No. 2's antics, an Us insider tells us. (Min hasn't replied to our request for comment.)
So where can we find Ryan's free publicity popping up on UsMagazine.com? There's the Tuesday item about Heather Mills, the Friday plug of Ryan on Us's web video program, and the Thursday item plugging Seacrest's radio show where news broke of Sacha Baron Cohen's coming child. As anyone with an Internet connection could find out, the frequency of the Seacrest sightings on Us' website have increased since Ken took the reigns.
We asked Ken about the brewing fracas: "Ryan's the host of the number one show on TV," he offered in a canned response. "We're giving users more of someone they already like."
(When we relayed this reply, one Wenner tattler sniped: "'Someone they already like?' Does he mean himself?")
So where is UsMagazine.com editor Noelle Hancock in all of this? An Us insider tells us she's relatively powerless when it comes to dealing with Ken's demands for more Ryan more often.
And none of it is sitting well with Us insiders. "Ken finds a way to work him in almost every other day now," says an Wenner source.
But there is a brightside. Says another tattler, "At least he's not putting him in the magazine like he could have [when he was West Coast executive editor]."
Editorial Director
Carmen Electra is up there too a lot, his Head to Hollywood charity co-president, yet former pal Paris Hilton is MIA.
They're lovers!!!
Stupid Jossip: They are BUSINESS PARTNERS! Ken Baker owns part of Ryan Seacrest Productions which does the show Paradise City, among other things. Jossip plugs it's other acquisitions like Mollygood, and Queerty with alarming regularity, yet no one comments on that!
but barbara, US WEEKLY (owned by WENNER MEDIA) is not a biz partner of RYAN SEACREST, even though KEN BAKER is. here he is using his dayjob to promote his BUSINESS INTERESTS that have nothing to do with US WEEKLY.
Same old, same old - it's what he's been doing for years - making professional connections with personal gains. His minnions have caught on quickly as Jossip has noted in other articles. Wake up NY and head to the west coast to see what REALLY goes on in your offices.
Why don't you warn us before you put up Ken's photo? Egad, I just ate lunch and I'm gonna hurl!
Not pictured in the above photo of K-Bak and Seacrest: Ken's finger on Seacrest's taint.
they make a really ugly couple. they look like melting ken dolls
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Not to mention how Ryan Seacrest tried to seamlessly set up Angelina on the Golden Globe red carpet (saying she has an attitide, and was in a mood, and a lot of other negative garbage that was NOT true) all at the behest of his lovah Ken Baker, having advance knowledge of the coming smear job US rag would do on her that same week. He was asked to shore up that issue. Unfortunately Angelina's mom died, and they had to postpone it for a while (you know, let the woman grieve for a week before kicking her in the head), but it resurfaced again just recently as Angelina's 'Twisted Double Life.' Yeah those two boys are evil and in love. Ask Teri Hatcher.