AMERICAN IDOL to Honor Dick Clark Tonight

AMERICAN IDOL host Ryan Seacrest has announced on his Twitter account that tonight's show will pay tribute to the late Dick Clark. Posted Seacrest, "we're putting together a tribute for Dick Clark on @AmericanIdol tonight…just talked to @dizzyfeet". (@dizzyfeet is the Twitter handle for Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe)

Clark died of a masssive heart attack at the age of 82 yesterday. Seacrest expressed his condolences in a statement, commenting, "It's a tremendously emotional day for so many people. Fans of music, fans of television, broadcasters and certainly me personally as Dick Clark was one of those incredible pioneers of our business. He taught me how to do television, I studied him as a kid and I had the fortunate opportunity to work with him for several years on New Years Eve."

At the opening of last night's show, Seacrest commented that if it weren't for Dick Clark, a show like AMERICAN IDOL would "not exist".