AI = MC2

American Idol addicts hardly need to be reminded to get excited for this week's special guest - Mariah Carey!

Carey - still riding the wave of success which carried "Touch My Body" to number one - is set to stop by the show to mentor the remaining contestants tonight. She'll also be treated to their interpretations of her extensive, hit-studded catalogue - now that ought to be a treat!

And the Idol brass are already lining up to sing Mariah's praises - in a conversation with Us Magazine, judge Randy Jackson describes her appearance as "amazing" and talks all about how hard the show had been trying to get Mariah to come on.

"She's kind of what the show's about — she's that girl who grew up in New York, who struggled to become that singer," Jackson said. "She's going to bring a wealth of knowledge about singing to these kids. It's amazing for us to have her on."

And Jackson points out that the kids would be well served to pay attention, too - after all, as Jackson points out, "she sold 175 million albums! I don't know if anyone will ever get to that point ever again because the music business is in such disarray."

Now we're just left wondering - will Mariah bring rumored bf Nick Cannon along? Guess we'll just have to wait until tonight's broadcast to find out!