‘American Idol’ Taps Lopez, Connick As Judges

LOS ANGELES — “American Idol” is betting that a judges’ remix with Jennifer Lopez, Harry Connick Jr. and Keith Urban will fare better with viewers than bickering divas Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj did last season.

The rumored addition of Lopez and Connick as judges for season 13 was announced Tuesday by Fox. They’ll join Urban to make up the talent show’s first panel consisting solely of singers — a la NBC’s successful 2011 upstart “The Voice.”

Pop star and actress Lopez will be back on “American Idol” after a two-season run as judge in 2011 and 2012 that was a boon for the show and her career. Connick, a respected jazz singer and musician, proved adept as a mentor in several “Idol” appearances.

Urban’s return to the contest was announced last month by Fox Chairman Kevin Reilly, who said the singer didn’t get a chance to show his personality in his first turn as a judge. Urban appeared overwhelmed last season by the Carey-Minaj crossfire that drew complaints from some viewers.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130903/ENTERTAINMENT01/130909881/-american-idol-taps-lopez-connick-as-judges#full_story

Fox Confirms Keith Urban Will Return To ‘American Idol’

It’s official: Keith Urban is returning to “American Idol” as a judge next season, Fox announced Thursday at the Television Critics Association summer press tour in Los Angeles.

“I will confirm one thing: Keith is going to return to the show,” said Kevin Reilly, Fox Chairman of Entertainment, as he addressed a room full of reporters.  “Keith’s a really funny guy, and I didn’t think he was able to let his full personality shine through” last season, due to the diva drama [between former judges Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj] that overshadowed not just Urban, but also the contestants.

Read more:  http://xfinity.comcast.net/blogs/tv/2013/08/01/fox-confirms-keith-urban-is-returning-to-american-idol/