Harry Connick Jr. is certainly returning on "American Idol" Season 13 and, this time, he will no longer play the piano to mentor the hopefuls; he will be your third "American Idol" judge.

While Connick landing the judge panel seat may not totally be a surprise for "American Idol" devotees, nobody really saw it coming, right?

Connick was named the next "Idol" judge to seat next to Keith Urban and Jennifer Lopez after producer, singer and song-writer Dr. Luke dropped out of the selection for judges. It will be recalled that on August 26, there was a loud buzz with Dr. Luke as the new "Idol" judge, and he was being considered for his contribution in the music industry and for the success of his songs including "Idol" alum Kelly Clarkson’s ”Since U Been Gone” and Katy Perry’s “California Gurls.”

Dr. Luke apparently had to drop out as one of the frontrunners for the judge seat following the reported conflict with Sony Music, which as noted by The Hollywood Reporter is the rival of Universal Music Group, the company that holds exclusive rights to the recordings made by "American Idol."

Having Connick, and not Dr. Luke, as your new "Idol" judge is not bad at all.

One big indication that he is, indeed, the upcoming new judge is the exclusive report by THR describing Connick in the company of Keith Urban and Jennifer Lopez as they attended a small party hosted by "American Idol" producer, Simon Fuller, on Thursday, Aug. 29. With champagne at the small party room at Los Angeles hotspot Bouchon, it is safe to say that the "Idol" top official just made a soft launch of his three main men on "Idol."

“Got some @AmericanIdol news for you coming very soon…," tweeted "Idol" host Ryan Seacrest on Friday, Aug. 30, which could be taken as another indication.

The announcement of the new judge has been pending since last week.

The multi-talented Connick is an American singer, conductor, pianist, actor and composer. And he is one of the few artists who has come out with an album of original music. With his self-described “No Rules, No Limits,” the "American Idol" hopefuls for Season 13 are in for a big treat with Connick as the show’s new judge.

Season 13 of Fox’s "American Idol" is back on air in January 2014.

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