Ryan Seacrest Thinks Mariah Will "Fit Right In" on "American Idol"

Facebook.com/MariahCareyRyan Seacrest is looking forward to working with Mariah Carey when she begins work as a new judge on American Idol.

Speaking with Matt Lauer on NBC's Today show in London on Thursday, Seacrest said he is "very excited" that Mariah is on board, though he's also sad to see Jennifer Lopez leave the Fox competition.

Seacrest noted that he chatted with Mariah by phone on Wednesday night and told her, 'So welcome to the family.'" He recalled, "I said, 'What are you going to be like on the show? She said, 'You know how I am, I'm very honest. I say what I'm thinking.' I said, 'Great. You're gonna fit right in.'"

Seacrest said he's not sure who will replace the other departing judge, Steven Tyler. He said, "The way that it works is we read about the rumors and about an hour before it's confirmed I get a call saying, 'Guess who's on the show?'"

Seacrest is in London to help out with NBC's Olympics coverage.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy