NEW YORK — “American Idol” may be getting a worldwide idol as a judge — Mariah Carey.

A person familiar with the show’s negotiations say Carey is being pursued to join the judging panel of the Fox talent competition. The source requested anonymity because of the private nature of negotiations, which were termed as serious. Carey has also been courted by other talent competitions, and her name has been thrown out in the past for “Idol” and other shows.

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Mariah Carey performs at the Mawazine Festival in Rabat, Morocco, on May 26. A person familiar with the singing competition series "American Idol" negotiations say Carey is being pursued to join the judging panel of the Fox talent competition. 2012 File Photo/The Associated Press

Savannah Guthrie The Associated Press

Roy Rogers, shown with Dale Evans The Associated Press

There are two openings: Both Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler announced last week that they were leaving as judges after two seasons. Randy Jackson, who is a manager, producer and friend of Carey’s, is the only judge left. There are reports that Jackson’s role may shift as well.

If Carey were to join, she’d bring considerable expertise on hit-making: The Grammy-winner is one of the best-selling artists of all time, with numerous No. 1 hits. She’s currently working on a new album, her first since her twins were born last year.

It would also give the show a heavy dose of superstardom, which is key considering the star power on shows like “X Factor,” which added Britney Spears and Demi Lovato as judges and will begin its second season in the fall.

“American Idol” has been TV’s most popular program for nearly a decade, but has had a marked downturn in its audience. Once a ratings juggernaut, its last finale drew the lowest ratings in its 11-season history.

Ranch of the late King of the Cowboys sold

VICTORVILLE, Calif. – A 67-acre Southern California ranch that once belonged to the late King of the Cowboys Roy Rogers has been sold for $645,000.

The Double R ranch near Victorville, in the Mojave Desert, includes a 1,700-square-foot home, a red barn, a stable with 15 stalls, a half-mile horse track and fenced pastures. Eric and Anne Enriquez of Orange County restored the property after buying it 10 years ago for $300,000.

The Victorville Daily Press reported that the Williams & Williams Worldwide auction firm sold the ranch to the highest bidder last week.

The new owner is Margaret Tom, a retired social worker from Kaneohe, Hawaii. Tom says she’s giving the ranch to her daughter and son-in-law to keep their Arabians.

Rogers was 86 when he died in 1998.

‘Today’ second in ratings despite new co-anchor

NEW YORK – A majority of morning viewers has greeted the arrival of Savannah Guthrie with a yawn in her first week as “Today” show co-anchor.

Nielsen says NBC’s “Today” was beaten last week by ABC archrival “Good Morning America” by 357,000 viewers.

“GMA” drew an average of 4.57 million viewers, compared with 4.21 million for “Today,” according to preliminary ratings released Monday by the Nielsen Co.

The “Today” show loss suggests lukewarm audience interest in Guthrie. Or perhaps viewers were displaying resentment toward NBC for ousting Ann Curry, who shared co-anchoring duties with Matt Lauer for just a year. She joined the program in 1997.

“Today” was the undisputed morning leader in the ratings since 1995 until this spring, when a resurgent “GMA” snapped its winning streak with several weeks on top.– From news service reportsThurman, boyfriend have a new baby girl

Thurman, boyfriend have a new baby girl

NEW YORK — It’s a girl for Uma Thurman and her financier boyfriend Arpad Busson.

Thurman’s representative confirmed Monday that the actress gave birth. She did not release details, including the baby’s name.

Thurman, 42, has two older children, 13-year-old Maya Ray and 10-year-old Levon Roan, with ex-husband Ethan Hawke.

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