LOS ANGELES (AP) – So how is “American Idol” judge Randy Jackson planning to celebrate New Year’s Eve?

“I’m just trying to get ready for that New Year’s Eve ball drop with Ryan Seacrest,” Jackson joked.

Seacrest, who is host of the Fox reality show, will co-host ABC’s special for the traditional ball drop and countdown to midnight in New York’s Times Square.

So Jackson isn’t planning to be in front of the TV watching Seacrest?

“No, never!” Jackson told AP Radio. “I told him I’d only watch if he rides the ball. If he jumps on the ball and has a fit of rage and rides it down.”

Seacrest will join Dick Clark, who is returning to “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” after suffering a stroke last December. Hilary Duff will anchor and perform at the Hollywood segment of the show.

“New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” will air Saturday starting at 10 p.m.

Humorist Keillor close home

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion” won’t be permanently leaving its St. Paul home after all.

The humorist said he expects to do about a dozen shows during the 2006-07 season from the Fitzgerald Theater, the longtime base of the public radio program.

The rest of the season’s shows will air from the road, including a return to the Minnesota State Fair, he said.

Keillor said last month the show was looking for a new home.

But in the end, he said, it was an impulsive decision to stay at the Fitzgerald, based partly on people he met at coffee shops or parties.

“They said it would be terrible if the show were not in St. Paul,” Keillor told The Associated Press on Thursday. “I listen to people who tug at my sleeve.”

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Izzie’s going to have her hands full when “Grey’s Anatomy” returns from its holiday break next month.

“There will be a love triangle for my character,” Katherine Heigl, who plays Dr. Isobel “Izzie” Stevens on the hit ABC show, told reporters recently, according to AP Radio.

The 27-year-old actress also hinted about upcoming developments: “There’s like some kind of prom episode or something, I don’t what that is. Somebody leaves the program.”

But, she added: “I don’t know what happens with Meredith and Dr. McDreamy. Nobody will tell us yet what’s going on there.”

Ellen Pompeo stars as Dr. Meredith Grey, a first-year intern, and Patrick Dempsey plays neurosurgeon Derek Shepherd, nicknamed Dr. McDreamy. Meredith was getting cozy with Derek – until his sexy wife showed up in Seattle.

“I love when people come up to me and tell me that they watch it. And ask like, “Do you think Ellen and Patrick are going to get back together?”‘ Heigl said. “I love that because we’re working hard and it’s great to know that that work is being appreciated.”

“Grey’s Anatomy” airs Sunday nights (10 p.m. EST). The medical drama returns Jan. 8.