Jordan Strauss / AP file

Ryan Seacrest and Julianne Hough at the Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills on Jan. 13.

E!'s Ryan Seacrest and Julianne Hough have broken up.

After more than two years of dating, the "American Idol" host and the "Safe Haven" star are no longer living together, sources confirm to E! News. They have amicably decided that they need time apart.

Insiders say that the duo's respective busy work schedules proved to be too much, but they are still in regular contact and remain friends.

See the many jobs of Ryan Seacrest

The pre-season buzz may have some "American Idol" fans expecting a revamped talent show that focuses more on the panel than on the hopefuls looking for their big break. Only time will tell who really steals the show, but according to host Ryan Seacrest, the sometimes hair-raising, sometimes heartwarming contestants are still central to it all.

"You know, this season is full of humor, heart, hair … a lot of hair extensions," he said during a Wednesday morning visit to TODAY. "But there are some great stories with these contestants. Some are just incredible.  There's a young man that you'll meet (Thursday) night in the Chicago episode named Lazaro (Arbos), and he grew up with a stuttering problem. He didn't have any friends because of it, so he turned to music as an escape. And when he came into the audition room, everything changed. He had a difficult time talking to the judges, but the second he started to sing, it all changed."

(See that change in the video above, as Arbos takes on Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water.")

There are bound to be more sentimental moments like that when "Idol" returns, along with the requisite earsplitting auditions and of course, the rare glimpse of future stars.

"The premise is that this show is about the contestants," Seacrest assured. "It's about that young person that's got a dream to become a singing superstar. And our show delivers on that promise when you look at Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, Phillip Phillips -- the latest winner, he's got a number one song right now."

But he admitted, "This season, I think you're going to see headlines about the contestants and the judges as well."

Because while the judges might not be the ultimate stars of the show, they know a thing or two about getting headlines. And as for the two who've grabbed the most headlines leading into the season -- Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj -- viewers won't have to wait long to see the sparks fly.

"Just before (the premiere audition), there was a bit of difference of opinion between Nicki and Mariah on the elevator ride up to our first day of shooting."

Get ready for all the action. "American Idol's" two-night premiere kicks off Wednesday at 8 p.m. on Fox.

What are you most looking forward to seeing on the premiere -- the bad auditions, the good singers, the judges? Tell us on our Facebook page.

Related content:

• 'American Idol' will live or die with Nicki Minaj
• Minaj denies being 'a crazy psycho'
• Mariah: 'American Idol' feud is 'a distraction'

More in The Clicker:

• 'Happily Divorced' exclusive photo: Peter's boyfriend emerges
• Are 'Big Bang Theory's' Leonard and Penny getting engaged?
• 'The Killing' returns for season 3 on AMC

Vampires are immortal, right? What about shapeshifting wolves? Fittingly, fans aren't ready to let the "Twilight" series die with this week's release of "Breaking Dawn Part 2."

Mario Anzuoni / Reuters

Taylor Lautner at the premiere of "Breaking Dawn Part 2."

Various reports, including this Moviehole post, claim that the supernatural cash cow isn't going to be allowed to head out to pasture and that a spinoff, maybe focusing on Jacob Black's Wolfpack, and maybe on TV rather than in theaters, is a possibility.

Ryan Seacrest asked Black's portrayer, Taylor Lautner, about this rumor on his radio show Monday, but naturally Lautner couldn't or wouldn't confirm that any such plan is in the works.

“I honestly know as much as you do,” Lautner said. “The only thing that I’ve heard is whatever’s online and people are talking about.”

But when Seacrest asked him if he's ready to recreate his role, the 20-year-old actor was enthused. “I love this franchise and this character and everybody involved so much, I absolutely would have to consider it," he said.

Earlier this month, Lautner's co-star Robert Pattinson told Australia's Herald Sun that he kept "hearing things" about a future for the franchise. Pattinson told the paper he didn't rule out a return to playing Edward Cullen, saying "I don't say 'definitely not' to anything, just in case."

Pattinson had previously joked to Total Film that "Twilight" should be rebooted as "a straight-up porn film." And author Stephenie Meyer has mulled the possibility of a new life for "Twilight" focusing on Bella and Edward's daughter Renesmee.

Related content:

• Pattinson and Stewart attend 'Breaking Dawn' premiere together
• Pattinson hates 'RPatz' nickname: 'It sounds like an antacid'
• Slideshow: 'Twilight' stars and scenes

Admiral General Shabazz Aladeen had no qualms about being interviewed by TODAY's Matt Lauer on Monday. He made sure that Lauer's family was being taken care of, just in case things didn't go the way he liked. "By the way, how are your family? ... How is your wife Annette?" he asked at the top of the interview. "What is she doing now?"

"She's probably watching this interview," said Lauer.

"Incorrect!" said Aladeen, pulling a swatch of brown locks from his pocket. "Is this her hair?"

Fortunately, it's all an act -- a very funny one, as General Aladeen is actually Sacha Baron Cohen, promoting his new film "The Dictator." He was escorted to the TODAY studios in grand fashion, emerging from a stretch limo with a handful of guards -- short-skirted, beret-sporting ladies wielding fake machine guns. He then proceeded to kiss folks in the plaza and staged a bloodless coup in the control room. So he was all warmed up by the time Lauer sat him down for a chat.

More photos: 'The Dictator' arrives, brings the big guns

Here's what you need to know about his country, Wadiya: "It is 1300 miles from Tel Aviv as the SCUD flies," he said. "It has a population of 4 million, but obviously that figure changes depending on my mood."

The General is also a love machine, at least according to himself: He's had relations with Megan Fox, Katy Perry and Oprah. "No relationships, just sex activity," he said.

And as for his infamous Oscar red carpet experience, where he spilled ashes reportedly from late Korean dictator Kim Jong-il on Ryan Seacrest? All a misunderstanding. "It was not Kim Jong-il's ashes," said Aladeen, who then went into a long explanation about how Jong-il was actually consumed by his "fat son" and became "Kim Jong-Yum."

So after the veiled threats about his family and discussion of bombs in the air and ash-spilling, did Lauer and The Dictator part as friends? Undoubtedly -- Aladeen would have it no other way, raising the back of his hand for a kiss, which Lauer bestowed.

"(My movie) will be released next Wednesday," said Aladeen. "As for your family, let's see."

"The Dictator" opens May 16.

More Sacha Baron Cohen video:

• 'Dictator' star: I was 'banned' from Oscars
• Bruno's quest to be 'uber-famous'
• Borat learns about America
• Borat celebrates film's boffo box office

Related content:

• Has the BBC banned 'The Dictator' from its shows?
• 'Dictator' dumps urn of ashes on Ryan Seacrest at Oscars
• Baron Cohen's 'Dictator' threatens 'consequences' if Oscar ban continues

Sacha Baron Cohen not only was allowed to stride the red carpet in costume as Admiral General Aladeen, "The Dictator" from his upcoming movie, but he brought a fellow dictator along with him. Kind of. Clad in full dictator regalia, he was accompanied by two beautiful women in short-skirted "army" uniforms and red berets. And in his arms, he carried a cremation urn with an image of late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.

But those ashes didn't stay in the urn long. When Baron Cohen stepped over to talk to E! red-carpet host Ryan Seacrest, he dumped the "ashes" all over Seacrest's tux.

Before it happened, Seacrest asked Baron Cohen's "Dictator" character who he was wearing, and Baron Cohen replied, "I'm wearing John Galliano, but the socks are K-Mart." He then said he was thrilled to bring his "dear friend and tennis doubles partner Kim Jong-il to the Oscars."

He then tipped the urn as if to show Seacrest something and the urn spilled all over the host. As security led Baron Cohen away, he told Seacrest: "Now if somebody asks who you are wearing, you will say Kim Jong-il."

Seacrest did not appear pleased with the act as he brushed off his black tuxedo (see for yourself), although he allowed that he thought the "ashes" were really pancake mix, and told co-host Giuliana Rancic that "I had an idea something was coming, I didn't know in what fashion or form."

Others were more entertained by the joke though.

Tina Fey told the host, "You're a victim of comedy."

"I understand this is a dead body," said Antonio Banderas.

Seacrest seemed to take it in his stride later, however, tweeting "My mom always told me to pack two jackets for red carpets, always wondered why. Now I know."

Did you think the ash-dumping was funny or rude? Vote in our poll, and tell us on Facebook.

Related content:

• 10 things you should know about Oscar night
• Will 'The Artist' dance off with best picture?
• 'The Artist' rules Independent Spirit Awards
• 'Dictator' allowed on red carpet in costume