Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Well, that’s one judging spot filled, and one to go.

Mariah Carey has signed on to take Jennifer Lopez’s spot on the judging panel, FOX announced earlier today.

And the selection makes sense in oh so many ways.

FOX is trading one diva for another diva.

One beauty for another beauty.

It’s upgrading the singing talent on its judging panel.

It’s doing it with a major star capable of drawing viewers to the show.

But can Mariah judge? That will be the big unanswered question between now and the time the live shows begin next spring.

Mariah, between now and then, please hone your judging skills.

Please watch lots of past Idol performances, so when you proclaim a performance the best you’ve ever seen on the show, you have a sense of what you’re talking about.

And please don’t turn out to be just another pretty face at the judges’ table, someone more interested in using the show to further your own career than in providing contestants — and the audience at home — with the type of tough yet constructive critiques they need to hear.

Ah, yes, that would be Ms. Lopez whom I’m describing. As a judge … well, I’m surprised anyone was sorry to see her go.

The only bad news coming from the Mariah news is that FOX was giving Randy Jackson credit for helping seal the deal.

If that means Randy Jackson is hanging around for another season as judge, that’s bad news. FOX wants to freshen up Idol.

Well, aside from some tired ol’ theme weeks that need to be retired, nothing on Idol needs freshening up more than Randy’s seat at the judges’ table.

As for a replacement for Steven Tyler … no word yet. It could be weeks before we hear, FOX execs said on Monday.

FOX entertainment chief Kevin Reilly is promising another star, according to The Associated Press.

“We have the biggest names in the business, like Mariah Carey, interested in doing this … so for the next couple of weeks it will be a matter of picking the right one, with the right chemistry, making the deal, and finalizing this,” he said.