After months of rumors and speculation, American Idol producers have confirmed what they’re calling a “dream team” judging panel. It’s official that Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick Jr. will be judging American Idol 2014.
“American Idol has always been about discovering the next singing superstar, and next season our judging panel will deliver a most impressive combination of talent, wisdom and personality to do just that,” Kevin Reilly, chairman of entertainment at Fox said. “Jennifer Lopez, the triple-threat global superstar who loves Idol and whom Idol fans love; Harry Connick, Jr., a bona-fide musical genius and fantastic Idol mentor whose honesty and expertise can help turn these hopefuls into stars; Keith Urban, a multi-Grammy-winning artist who was such a positive force on the show last season. We are also very excited to have our friend Randy Jackson now in a new role as mentor, and the captain of our team — the heart and soul of Idol — Ryan Seacrest returning as host.”
Yes, you read that right, Randy will still be a part of the show, only this time he will be serving as mentor like Jimmy Iovine has done the past few seasons.
“I think this season of Idol is gonna be a blast,” Urban said following the official announcement. “New team, new energy and a whole new field of artists to be discovered and given a chance!”
The new judging trio actually have their first Season 13 American Idol gig today in Boston.
Great Judges! Cannot wait!
should be a great year. Love the judge choices.
I am thrilled with the new judges and next season. Finally a panel of judges I do respect!!!
Putting the words “dream” and J. Lo in the same sentence is an oxymoron. At least the new producers did something right in bringing back Keith Urban and hiring Harry Connick, Jr. My TV will be on mute when her highness is speaking since she’s never said anything of relevance in the past.
Very excited about the new panel – I’ve been hoping for Harry Connick Jr to join for awhile. Keith Urban will be able to show more of his wit and insight with only three of them. I think they will have a good banter.
PS. Could you have found a worse picture of Keith Urban. It’s hard to make him look bad, but you did!
I’m not crazy about Miss “Goosies” coming back but I think that will be counterbalanced by Keith and Harry Connick, Jr. Keith did a great job last season especially under the circumstances of having to share the table with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum(Mariah and Nikki respecitivley). I am curious to see how Randy will be in the mentor role something tells me this might be something he will be good at. Not much to complain about with this panel, can’t wait to see what happens this coming season.
I am glad Jen is going to be on there. Much better choice than Nicki Minaj or however you spell it.
I sm so happy thst Jlo is bsck much better then Nicki and Mariah
Yes. Great to have our kiwi judge keith on again.
He is Australian not fromNew Zealand.
He was born in New Zealand.. As a young boy his family went to Australia to live.
Was hoping you would get rid of Randy as can’t stand him! DUDE as he calls everyone and just plain obnoxious !!!! Great choice on the other three but Randy will talk over them like he always does cause he is rude! Probably won’t watch it this year because of him ! DUDE
It“s great to see the best talent show on tv actually listen to the public chat forums and appoint this great talent Urban rocks,Harry witty and smart,J lo just Beautiful,hope randy just dosent wreck it too much
Not particularly thrilled about J. Lo returning as a judge. She was probably the worst judge during the seasons she was on and is getting paid way more than she deserves. However, the 2 seasons that J. Lo was on were still good seasons. So if this season sucks, it won’t be her fault. Glad to see Keith Urban returning and Harry Connick should be a fine addition to round out the new panel of judges. Now all the producers have to do is leave the judging to the judges and stop trying to manipulate the show to get the winner they want. America votes for wgwgs for a reason.
Fantastic….Jlo is back….
although ppl complained about jlo’s goosies, she was spectacular as a judge because she actually pushed the contestants to perform instead of just singing… she was ABSOLUTELY right. We’ve already got a lot of singing competitions.. that won’t do the job alone. See Candice.. she’s got mere 50k sales? She makes them deliver some really good shows. That’s what sells. Not like the boring sit and sing with smoke around the singer in a dark room. That was boring. Past season explains it for itself.