'Idol' odds 'n ends: Diana, Eric the Midget & Stern unite!

The following are Idol-related odds and ends that happened this week:

>It was a grand ol' time when Diana DeGarmo, Eric the Midget and Howard Stern all met together in Stern's studio on his Sirius satellite radio program on Mon., Nov. 3. This was the first meeting of the three all in person, and the first time Diana was able to respond to the incessant talk about her between Eric and Stern and his crew that has carried on for the past two years. Watch a clip of the exchange on HowardTV.

>It was announced this week that the two-hour premiere of the eighth season of Idol (already?) will be Tues., Jan 13 at 8 p.m. ET. Can't wait.

>Carrie Underwood made the cover of Elle magazine for the Dec. 2008 issue. In the issue, Carrie apologizes for the comments she made about ex-boyfriend Tony Romo, saying she's "just not about drama...at all." Not to be outdone, Carly Smithson and Michael Johns had a photo shoot in the same issue.

>Justin Guarini will fulfill the token Idol alum on the third season of CMT's Gone Country. Following the shadow of Diana DeGarmo (Season 1) and Mikalah Gordon (Season 2), Justin will appear with such has-beens as Taylor Dayne, former Miss USA Tara Connor and George Clinton. The season premieres in January 2009.

>Chris Daughtry will be one of many celebrities to appear at Alicia Keys' annual Black Ball fund-raiser in New York City on Thurs., Nov. 13. The benefit will raise money for the Keep a Child Alive foundation.