Q: Ryan Seacrest has been in the Dick Clark camp for sometime – especially with Clark’s ABC-TV New Year’s Eve specials. Didn’t Seacrest compete with this very same show?

Mr. Pop History – Yes. Let’s go back to the year 2004 – New Year’s Eve. Clark had just had his stroke – and would you believe – Regis Philbin was asked to take his place that year? Actually – ol’ Rege did pretty well. But – look over at Fox-TV where Ryan Seacrest was doing the same type of show.  Here are those listings, plus other competition that night:

Dick Clark prime time – Regis Philbin fills-in for ailing Dick Clark with Catherine McCord and Mike Richards. Ashlee Simpson is the West Coast host.

Carson Daily – Conan O’Brien, Brian Williams, Tina Fey, Amy Phehler, Jill Hennessy, Dule Hill, Kathy Griffin and Donald Trump. With performances by Maroon 5, Avril Lavigne and Duran Duran.

Fox-TV – Ryan Seacrest (New Year’s Eve Live From Times Square)– Hoobastank, Evanescence.

MTV New Year’s Bash – hosted by Damien Fahey, La La Vasquez, Quddus, Hilarie Burton and Vanessa Minnillo. With Green Day, Snoop Dogg, Ja Rule, Fat Joe, Jimmy eat World, Ryan Cabrera, Lindsay Logan, Destiny’s Child, Blink 182, Good Charlotte, Fabolous, Ludacris, Ying Yank Twins, Simple Plan.