Ryan Seacrest Goes for the Gold With NBC Olympics Hosting Gig

Amid rumors that he'll replace 'Today' show host Matt Lauer, Ryan Seacrest visited Lauer and the 'Today' show to instead reveale he'll be bringing his beaming white perma-grin to London to help host this summer's Olympic games.

Since it was during a 'Today' show chat with Lauer that Seacrest announced his deal with NBC to join their Olympics coverage team, Lauer had some fun with the 'American Idol' golden boy over the replacement rumors.

"Do you see yourself doing a job like this?" asked Lauer.  "I see you doing this for as long as you want to. So maybe the question is, how long will you be on the ’Today’ show? Seacrest came back with.

The talk of Seacrest stepping in for Lauer when his contract expires at the end of the year intensified with the much-hyped announcement NBC teased, earlier this week. But just because Seacrest is going to the Olympics, hosting 'American Idol' and handling a daily syndicated radio show doesn't mean he won't have time for 'Today.'

In fact, Seacrest told Lauer his Olympics gig is just one of "a lot of fun things" he plans to do at NBC. This isn't the first time Seacrest has been talked up to take the helm of a long-running talk show. Larry King threw Seacrest's name in the hat to take his seat when the famed interviewer retired back in 2010. Ultimately the job went to another reality show vet, Piers Morgan of 'America's Got Talent.'

While Matt Lauer and NBC decide if they have a future together after 2012, it appears Seacrest will have to settle for bringing his patented charm and flair for the overly-dramatic to synchronized swimming and table tennis.