Idol Chat gives bloggers — and you — a voice on America’s No. 1 show

Idle times these are not.

As the competition heats up in the sixth season of American Idol, The Monitor is proud to give the Rio Grande Valley what Simon, Paula and Randy can’t: a local perspective on the biggest show on television.

On Wednesday morning, themonitor.com will debut Idol Chat, The Monitor’s own take on the search for a superstar, featuring a judging panel of musicians, industry professionals and high-profile personalities from the area. The panel will get down and dirty critiquing performances from the competition, shown weekly on Tuesday nights, before the American Idol contestants find out if their dream continues on Wednesday’s results show.

Among the local judges are J. Cantu and Amanda Flores from KHKZ-FM “Hot Kiss” 106.3; Chris Benitez, singer and bassist of the local rock band, Warryor; McAllen voice instructor Gloria Cheever; Maritza Hamill of RitzMill Marketing Inc.; and Monitor slot editor and columnist Brandon Garcia.

Idol Chat also will feature a number of surprise celebrity guest judges … oh, and you, too.

Idol Chat will give local Idol idolaters of all kinds — fanatics, casual viewers and even those who won’t admit it to watching — a place to debate the good, the bad and the ugly of the biggest talent show in the world. Pick your Idol in our online poll, or pick a bone with the judges if they’re ratting on your favorites. Find out the latest Idol news, voice your opinion or just sit back and watch the spectacle — all at www.themonitor.com/idolchat.

The debut of the Idol Chat, exclusively on themonitor.com, coincides with the beginning of the actual competition rounds, where viewers can finally decide which of their Idols moves closer to becoming the next Kelly Clarkson — or which is sent packing back to obscurity.

Tune in every Wednesday morning to get the latest on the competition that determines the stars of tomorrow. Next week, Idol Chat will be published both Wednesday and Thursday morning to tackle the dual competition nights of the semi-finals.

Stay tuned to Idol Chat at www.themonitor.com/idolchat for the latest updates, and be sure to visit the site Wednesday morning for the first reviews.