American Idol isn’t letting it’s sandy-haired host go anywhere…not for the next 3 years, at least. Ryan Seacrest has finished his contract negotiations and is now the highest-paid host in the history of all reality TV.

Not bad for someone who’s very best catchphrase is “Seacrest out.” Ryan went up from $5 million a season to a staggering $45 million, signing onto the reality powerhouse until 2012. As an added perk, Seacrest’s production company (imaginatively named Ryan Seacrest Productions) will claim more power in the 19 Entertainment family. Seacrest will be working more with Idol creator Simon Fuller as a result.

“I look forward to expanding the relationship with Simon Fuller,” he said in a recent statement. Listen, the minds behind American Idol  are nobody’s fool. Seacrest has been behind several successful E! productions and he’s showing no signs of slowing down. It’s just good business to bring him more firmly into the 19 Entertainment fold. Otherwise, he’ll just continue making money for everyone else.

Simon Fuller had this to say: “Ryan is an essential ingredient to American Idol’s success.”

But perhaps not so essential as famously sarcastic judge Simon Cowell, who will be raking in an outstanding $100 million from the show in the upcoming season. Randy Jackson has also signed on for more seasons with the show, while Kara DioGuardi and Paula Abdul remain in negotiations.