Now that American Idol is over, this annual ball-dropping bash may well become the brightest jewel in Ryan Seacrest’s crown – the thing that cements him as his generation’s Dick Clark, which, given Seacrest’s proclivity with TV production, clearly is a goal. ABC turns over a lot of time to this host, and this special, including three hours of prime time, and, after the local news, the countdown clincher beginning at 11:30 p.m. ET. Jenny McCarthy continues in her role as loose-cannon co-host.