Names and faces

LITTLE ROCK — Mariah Carey will join American Idol as a judge next season, Fox television announced Monday, lending her star power to the show that remains a ratings leader but has seen its viewership and pop-culture status diminish. “I am so excited to be joining Idol,” said Carey, addressing the Television Critics Association via Fox entertainment chief Kevin Reilly’s cell phone, which he put on speaker for the hotel ballroom meeting in Beverly Hills, Calif.. She couldn’t be on hand with the group because “this kind of all just happened really quickly,” Carey said in her brief remarks. “I can’t wait to get started in the fall. .... and I will see you in January.” The show, which saw judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez exit at the end of last season, will be back on the air for season 12 in January. Reilly called Carey “the biggest recording artist that any of these [talent] shows has ever had,” adding that she was the “artist that many of these contestants have tried to emulate, have tried some of the songs, have tried to hit the notes.” Playing the drama up, Reilly dialed Carey’s number and put her on speaker. “Hi Mariah. How are you? It’s Kevin,” he said.“We do have the deal, don’t we?” “Yes!” Carey replied. Earlier, Reilly said he was “thrilled” to confirm reports that Carey was being courted by Fox and said the deal was freshly signed a few hours before. The exit of Tyler and Lopez left original judge Randy Jackson and started a guessing game about potential replacements, with Carey at the top of the list. Now the search is on for a third judge, and Reilly promised another impressive pick.

Rascal Flatts bassist Jay DeMarcus and his wife, Allison, have a new addition to the family. The couple’s second child and first son,Dylan Jay De-Marcus, was born Friday afternoon in Nashville, Tenn. Dylan weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces and was 20 1/2 inches long when born. A news release said mother and child are doing fine. He joins 1-yearold sister Madeline Leigh. DeMarcus has a little time at home with his family before hitting the road again Friday in St. Louis for the trio’s “Changed” tour.