The jazz crooner and former Idol mentor is set to join Keith Urban and Jennifer Lopez to lend his opinions for season 13.
THR reports that American Idol has finally found its completed judging panel for the 13th season. After much speculation, it looks like the final line-up is Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez, and Harry Connick Jr.
Harry Connick Jr. is a successful musician and actor, with three Grammys under his belt, and seven top-20 U.S. albums. Not only is he a singer, but he is also a conductor, pianist, and composer. He is certainly more than qualified to offer his opinions on the contestants’ performances, and will probably have a lot of worthwhile comments (which is more than we can say for some past judges.)
For those not familiar with his music, you may know him better as Grace’s husband Leo on Will and Grace, or Sandra Bullock’s love interest in Hope Floats. He’s funny and quick-witted, and not bad to look at.
Connick Jr. has appeared on Idol several times previously as a mentor, and really seemed to enjoy his involvement with the show. He was honest and unflinching in his criticism, and he did a lot of joking around with the contestants.
While Harry Connick Jr. has the makings of a qualified and entertaining judge, he seems a surprising choice for the job, considering Idol is looking to make a lot of changes to the show in order to bring in more viewers, particularly of a younger demographic. While Connick Jr. is a successful musician and actor, he’s not exactly a teen heartthrob or megastar. One wonders if he will provide the ratings jolt Idol has been looking for.
Previous reports have rumored that everyone from Idol alums Jennifer Hudson and Adam Lambert, to behind-the-scenes music personalities Dr. Luke and Scooter Braun would be taking the third seat, after Keith Urban was confirmed, and Jennifer Lopez was unofficially confirmed by boyfriend Casper Smart.
Connick Jr. and Lopez would be stepping in to take the place of last season’s (oft-feuding) judges Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey, and long-time judge Randy Jackson, who was recently revealed to be taking the place of mentor Jimmy Iovine for season 13.