LOS ANGELES (AP) "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.
Fox on Tuesday announced the addition of Lopez and Connick as judges for
season 13. They'll join Urban to make up the talent show's first panel consisting solely of singers like 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 helped the show and her career. Connick, a respected jazz singer and musician, proved adept as a mentor in several "Idol" appearances.
Urban's return 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.
"I think this season of 'Idol' is gonna be a blast," Urban said in a statement Tuesday. "New team, new energy and a whole new field of artists to be discovered and given a chance!"
