Harry Connick Jr. Page 3

'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

The panel of American Idol judges has been officially revealed. Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr. have been confirmed as the judges for the televised singing talent show.

Harry Connick Jr. photographed in 2012, has been confirmed as the third American Idol judge.

Harry Connick Jr. was the last celebrity to gain the role, his judging position was only confirmed last week by THR. Connick Jr. has previously appeared on the show in the capacity of mentor for the show's twelfth season, a role he said he "really enjoyed". Connick Jr. also performed on last season's American Idol on a number of occasions. 

Continue reading: American Idol Judges Panel Revealed: Jennifer Lopez, Harry Connick Jr. & Keith Urban Confirmed

Well, it looks like the American Idol mayhem is all over. We can all breathe a little easier, knowing that the American Idol set won’t feature two empty chairs next season, driving poor Keith Urban to such a state of lonely desperation, that he ends up pushing a hidden button under his Coke cup, which causes the entire set to explode in a massive fireworks display announcing the death of America’s original televised talent show, while Mariah Carey’s 'Hero' blasts out of the sound system.

Say hello to Harry Connick Jr.!

It would have been spectacular to behold, but so is the new jury lineup, which consists of Urban, of course, in the company of Idol veteran Jennifer Lopez (three cheers for J.Lo and her top bun!) and, the new face nobody was expecting – former Idol mentor Harry Connick Jr. Idol’s resident nice guy – Randy Jackson – returns in the role of mentor.

Continue reading: Revamped American Idol Judging Panel Brings Back Harry Connick Jr. And J.Lo

Jason Sudeikis, the most high profile member of the Saturday Night Live cast, has confirmed he is leaving the show and will not feature on the new series.

The veteran announced the news on Wednesday's The Late Show With David Letterman, saying he's "definitely done" after 10 years on the late-night NBC comedy staple.

"I'm definitely done," he told Letterman. "I'm not coming back next fall." The actor is currently starring in the comedy flick 'We're the Millers' with Jennifer Aniston and is engaged to his former co-star on The O.C, Olivia Wilde. 

Continue reading: As Jason Sudeikis Takes His Bow, SNL Is Left In Crisis