I am always rooting for Kellie Pickler to get hosting gigs but “Idol” colleague Carrie Underwood will be co-hosting the CMA Awards with Brad Paisley.

The show will broadcast live Nov. 12 on ABC. Underwood strikes me as a pretty plain vanilla gal who won’t exactly blow anybody away as a host. Paisley has a glint in his eye and should be a fun addition. I hope Pickler at least gets to present.

In addition to their hosting duties, Paisley and Underwood will also perform on “The CMA Awards.” Previously announced performers include Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban, with more performers to be announced soon.

-Speaking of hot country blondes, USA Today has a story about Carrie, Kellie and the others here..

Labels may be dipping too far into the talent pool looking for the next Underwood, who won Idol in 2005: Cook finished seventh last season. Several country stations, including KKGO in L.A., are taking a wait-and-see approach to Cook’s 15 Minutes of Shame, currently No. 36 on USA TODAY’s country airplay chart.

“I’m skeptical about the runner-ups until I see a proven single,” says KKGO program director Tonya Campos.

-Early signs of tension between Kara DioGuardi and Simon Cowell? He tells Extra that she’s a mike hog. “She never shuts up,” he said. I believe he isn’t being serious.