Harry Connick Jr. Page 2

'American Idol''s last original judge Randy Jackson is finally stepping down from the show after an impressive 12 year stint as both a judge and a mentor. While there's been reports in previous years of his ever impending departure, this time it's for good.

Randy Jackson finally leaves 'American Idol'

The former musician and record producer has been a constant fixture of the TV singing competition since 2002, where he worked alongside Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell on the judging panel. As of 2014's Season 13, his role was changed from panel judge to in-house mentor, but now it's finally time to say goodbye. 'After 13 seasons, I felt now was the perfect time to leave American Idol', Randy Jackson announced in a statement to Deadline. 'I'm proud to have been a part of a series that discovered some incredible artists and will go down in history as one of the most successful television shows ever.'

Continue reading: Randy Jackson Finally Says Farewell To 'American Idol' Family

Dolphin Tale (2011) was huge success for Warner Bros. Not in a massively commercial sense - it took $97 million - but critically, this was considered one of the finest, fun-filled movies in recent years and featured a lovely looking family cast including Harry Connick Jr, Ashley Judd and Morgan Freeman.

'Dolphin Tale 2' continues where the original left off

It told the true story of brave dolphin Winter and a band of compassionate group of strangers who banded together to save her life after she is caught in a crab trap.  

Continue reading: Impressive 'Dolphin Tale 2' Continues Warner Bros' Unlikely Franchise

American Idol judges, Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr., will all be returning to the 14th season of American Idol, Fox announced on Monday (23rd June). Ryan Seacrest will also be returning as host and his contract was signed earlier this month. 

Jennifer Lopez at the finale of American Idol season 13.

Lopez was a judge on the show from 2011 to 2012 but returned for the 13th season earlier this year. Urban has been a judge for the past two seasons. Connick Jr. joined the other two judges for the 13th season. All three are confirmed to return for the 14th season of the hit show. 

Continue reading: 'American Idol' "Dream Team" - Lopez, Urban, Connick Jr. & Seacrest - Set To Return For 14th Season

Caleb Johnson has been crowned the winner of American Idol Season 13! The 23-year-old was pitted against 17-year-old Jena Irene but was successful in his efforts on Wednesday (21st May). 

Caleb Johnson won American Idol season 13.

As USA Today reports, this is the third time Johnson auditioned for American Idol but the first time he got past the audition rounds. Yet third time's a charm and Johnson has proven critics wrong by winning the 13th season of American Idol. 

Continue reading: On The Red Carpet At 'American Idol' Season 13 Finale [Pictures]

Last night’s American Idol can be summed up in one word: disappointing. It all started when MK Nobilette kicked things off with a rendition of Perfect by Pink. She had the emotion down, only her performance fell apart when she walked out on stage and she just didn’t recover after that.

Dexter Roberts covering Floriga Georgia Line’s “Cruise” was anything but. Not that he was bad, specifically. He was just there. Which is not what we’ve come to expect from the otherwise perky Dexter.

Dexter Roberts' performance was not one of the highlights.

Continue reading: "American Idol" Recap: The Top 10 Sing, Sort Of.

This week might be the first American Idol round in a while to see an actual twist – and it’s still just the second round of eliminations. The unfortunate Idol wannabe to end up on the chopping block was Emily Piriz, despite getting almost rave reviews for her performance of Jennifer Lopez’ Let’s Get Loud the night before. The other two contestants to end up in the bottom three were Jena Irene and MK Nobilette, who had to sing for her life for the second week in a row.

Competition was tight, but Emily Piriz ended up going home.

Before going home, Emily sang for her life, choosing Stars by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.

Continue reading: American Idol Results Night: Another One Bites The Dust, As Harry Connick Jr. Dishes Out More Tough Love

Last night, American Idol entered its slightly less interesting stage – with the top 13 contestants selected, it’s time to actually remember the names and watch the dwindling group of people for two more months. Hence, last night’s “This Is Me” theme served as the introduction round.

Much like the name games at teambuilding meetings, it was not interesting as intended and many failed to stick out. Kicking things off with the classic “acoustic guitar and moody spotlight” routine, Dexter Roberts’ rendition of Aw Naw by Chris Young was good… just not memorable enough. Judge Keith Urban felt that Roberts failed to “make the song his own” and with it might cost him in the future. Malaya Watson performed a good cover of Bruno Mars’ Runaway Baby. That was it – good. The performance derailed slightly toward the end, but she still got an A+ out of the goodness of Jennifer Lopez’ heart.

Jennifer Lopez proved herself as the warmest judge again.

Continue reading: American Idol "This Is Me" Night Makes Us Think "This Is Familiar"

American Idol has selected its final 13 as the singing competition's strongest contestants emerge to battle it out in the final weeks. Before things get viciously competitive and exhaustingly emotional in those last few episodes, let's take stock of the last lucky 13.

This Week, The Judges Had To Whittle 20 Singers Down To 13.

This series of American Idol is momentous for having had the first openly gay contestant get this far. Contestant MK Nobilette, who says she has "two moms," has won over American voters with her likeable demeanour, not to mention some serious singing talent to boot. After the public picked her as one of their top ten, it is likely MK will get a lot further or even go all the way as one of the favorites to win.

Continue reading: 'American Idol' Whittles Its Final Thirteen, Including First Openly Gay Contestant

Randy Jackson thinks American Idol is regaining its form. Sure, the head mentor of the original TV singing competition has a vested interest in promoting the show regardless of its quality, but he really thinks it’s good again, honest. Jackson admitted in a conference call that by last season, Idol was getting a little bit stale. But it got a revamp and now everything is ok. Right…

Jackson thinks the show got the much needed kick in the rear this season.

“But now it’s Idol 2.0,” he said. “It needed a refresh, and it got it.”

Continue reading: Randy Jackson Thinks "American Idol" Is Out Of The Woods, Ratings Beg To Differ

American Idol is back with an updated judging panel, yet again. This season sees the return of Jennifer Lopez – one of the most popular judges in Idol history – as well as a new face, Harry Connick Jr. The show kicked off on January 15th, but you’d be forgiven for missing it – most US viewers did. Despite the updated panel, which producers hoped would breathe new life into the franchise, Season 13 has so far been the lowest rated one. 20th Century Fox COO Chase Carey spoke about Idol’s flaws to a crowd of Wall Street analysts on Thursday. The message was pretty clear – despite the renovations, American Idol’s glory days are in the past.

Even favorite judge Jennifer Lopez can't save this sinking ship.

The Fox chief operating officer told analysts on Thursday that the decision to bring back Jennifer Lopez as a judge and add Harry Connick Jr to the mix had resulted in a show that was “much better than it was a year ago”, but one that is also showing its age (quotes via The Hollywood Reporter).

Continue reading: With Lowest Ratings Ever, "American Idol" Might Be Circling The Drain

Last night saw the second part of the American Idol season 13 premiere, only this evening the auditions continued in Austin and San Francisco. The previous episode's auditions had been fairly uneventful in terms of drama but Part 2 was where it started to get interesting.

The Judges Began To Show Their Real Personalities In The 'American Idol' Premiere.

After complaining that none of the contestants knew who he was, singer and actor-turned Idol judge Harry Connick Jr. decided to ensure that they would at least never forget him. Harry's no-nonsense style of judging takes the panel on a departure from the more sympathetic style of judging seen on Idol seasons of late and more of a return to the stereotypical Simon Cowell-esque strain of talent show nasty.

Continue reading: American Idol Premiere Pt. 2 Recap: Harsh Connick Jr. Gets Harsher And Jennifer Lopez Cringes

American Idol is now back and focussing on the only thing that really matters on the talent show: the contestants. The last season of the singing talent contest saw ratings in freefall as viewers bored with judges Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey's bickering turned elsewhere, giving Idol its lowest ever ratings.

The Judges & Ryan Seacrest: New Season Means Back To Business.

As Idol's viewing figures plummeted, rival show The Voice loomed nearby ready to dominate. Of course, the producers and even judges themselves weren't blind to what was happening therefore decided to give the panel and format a revamp in time for the current season 13.

Continue reading: American Idol Returns With Revamped Panel And New Attitude: Recap

American Idol's 13th season could be held in New York City, if there's any truth to the rumours currently flying around. The upcoming new season of the singing talent contest is preparing for launch but has beefed up its usual format and streamlined its panel of judges.

Season 12's Contestants Before They Were Whittled Away.

Apparently, plans are in place to have the final contestants battle it out on stage at the city's prestigious Madison Square Gardens in front of a giant arena audience of 8,000, according to THR. De-camping from L.A to NYC would represent a major move for the show, which has seen a decline in ratings to rival show The Voice in recent years.

Continue reading: American Idol Finale To Be Held In New York? New Season Prepares For Lift-Off

American Idol will be back for its thirteenth season on Tuesday, 14 January, with an (almost) entirely new judging panel holding down the reins for the long-running singing contest. Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick Jr. aren't the only new things to come out of the latest season of Idol either, as the new season may also mark the move from West to East Coast for the show.

Keith Urban and J-Lo are returning to the judge's seats

According to various reports, with The Hollywood Reporter first generating the rumours, American Idol will dig up it's Los Angeles-based root and make the journey across country for the eventual final. After twelve years in the City of Angels, the show may be moving to the newly refurbished Madison Square Garden in New York City for its conclusive episodes, with the last two instalments of the thirteenth season scheduled for 20 and 21 May.

Continue reading: Is 'American Idol' Moving To New York For Season 13 Finale?

It's that time again — American Idol is about the launch another season. The show promises this time will be different.

Contestants from season 12 of 'American idol'

Season 13 will kick off with former judge Jennifer Lopez coming back, after taking a season off. She will join Keith Urban, and brand new judge Harry Connick, Jr.

Continue reading: 'American Idol' Is Ready To Launch Season 13

Harry Connick Jr. will be pitching up next to Keith Urban and Jennifer Lopez in the upcoming season of the ever-popular American Idol, as the singer has been confirmed as the third and final artist to sit in the judge's seat next season. Having served as a mentor on the show on multiple occasions, the singer will finally ascend to the judge's table for the show's 13th season, The Hollywood Reporter first revealed.

Harry Connick Jr. may possibly last more than one season as a judge

On Friday (30 August) it was confirmed that the crooner had signed a deal to become the latest judge on the show as producers apparently wanted a lack of female presence on the show following the friction and drama that followed last season's bickering judges Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj. The friction between the two reflected particularly badly in the show's key demographic; older women, something that the addition of Connick will hopefully strengthen this time around.

Continue reading: Harry Connick Jr. Picked As Third 'American Idol' Judge