harry connick jr. Archives

Harry Connick Jr. Returns to American Idol — Signs for Season 14

“Hatchet Harry” will don his judging hat for another installment of ‘American Idol,’ as Season 14 is also expected to see the return of his well-liked cohorts. Though Keith Urban and Jennifer Lopez have yet to sign, Idol has made their expectations clear, calling the trio their “dream team.” If you haven’t tuned in this season, you’re missing out. For the first time in years, the judges are actually giving tangible critiques of each contestant, with Harry Connick Jr. leading the charge. For a show that’s been more about insulting the contestants or calling them “pitchy” in excess, it’s a refreshing revamp. Watch an interview with the very handsome Harry below.

American Idol Top 12: Keith Urban v. Harry Connick Jr.

If you’re not watching this season of American Idol, you must start. Harry Connick Jr.’s arrival has upped the ante for the other judges, who now give specific, constructive feedback to each contestant. My favorite moment from the Top 12 came from their critique of Jessica Meuse, who apathetically sang ‘White Flag’ by Dido, resulting in a harsh critique from “Hatchet Harry,” who explained that it’s essential to sing in tune. Keith Urban then countered Harry’s critique with his own spin, saying that singing with passion can compensate for pitch problems, followed by Urban’s extemporaneous belt into the microphone to illustrate his point. Watch below.

Jessica Meuse – White Flag – American Idol 13… by IdolxMuzic

American Idol Does Hollywood — Ratings Climb

American Idol is up in the ratings, and all the credit goes to the current judging panel, who traded the word “pitchy” for a vocabulary full of other critiques, with Harry Connick Jr. leading the pack. When one contestant asked for a reason he got axed, Connick clarified Jennifer Lopez’s very generic feedback to explain how the contestant, “Looked at the floor the entire time.” As for another group who felt they killed it, Connick squashed their hubris with a very heated critique, explaining that ‘Say My Name’ by Destiny’s Child has “no melody.” Ouch! I wonder what Beyonce will say. Watch a few of my favorite moments below.

3 Mo Days – Group Round – American Idol 13 by IdolxMuzic

Terrica Carmen Emmanuel – Group Round… by IdolxMuzic

Jessica, Nica, Stephanie & Cara – Group Round… by IdolxMuzic

The North Shore-LIJ Gala — The Stars are Shiny

The North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System held its Destination Celebration spring gala on Thursday, April 25, 2013 at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in New York City. Hosted Meredith Vieira and Bravo’s Andy Cohen, the evening included a performance by Harry Connick Jr. and a fireworks show on the Hudson. As The nation’s third-largest, non-profit, secular healthcare system, the evening successfully raised over $21 million for the health system that annually serves 4 million patients across the greater New York area. Enjoy some red carpet pictures below.

My Pick of American Idol Judges

There has been a lot of talk about the next American Idol judges, and most of the suggestions so far seem almost as ridiculous as the current judging panel. So here’s my choice for the new panel — Tommy Mottola, Katy Perry, and Harry Connick Jr. I chose Katy Perry because she has the credentials, and she’s very pretty eye-candy. When she appeared on the show as a guest judge, she was not afraid to speak her mind (speak, not slur), and she often looked like she wanted to kill Kara DioGuardi (which made me very happy). Harry Connick Jr. is my next choice, because he proved himself while serving as a mentor on the show. Unlike other mentors, he didn’t wear sunglasses while offering boring platitudes such as, “feel the music” (hear that Usher?). He also seemed to have a music vocabulary beyond the word “pitchy.” Lastly, I chose Tommy Mottola because he’s like the Wizard. His resume speaks for itself, but he would also bring the controversy. Can you imagine how many interviewers would ask Mariah Carey if she tunes into American Idol to watch Mottola? So there you have it. Everyone should take The Dishmaster’s suggeestion, and stop throwing around ridiculous names.

Harry Connick Jr. Responds to Fan Requests That he Judge American Idol

I’d like to think that Harry Connick Jr. reads justTHEdish, and that is where he heard about my request that he judge ‘American Idol,’ but the truth is pretty much the entire country had this idea. Harry said that he doesn’t know if he’d make a good judge, because his musical experience is not the pop world. I wonder what Ellen Degeneres’ pop experience is? And I know Randy is supposed to bring this background, but he only knows the word pitchy. Harry must do it! Fans unite!

Harry Connick Jr. Needs to be the New Judge on ‘American Idol’

It’s official: Harry Connick Jr. needs to take over for Simon Cowell on ‘American Idol.’ Enough of the Elton John suggestions. Connick Jr. proved himself on last night’s show. He’s funny, he’s charming, he’s good-looking, and he certainly knows his music. Any by “knows his music,” I mean he has other words in his vocabulary besides “pitchy.” He’s by far the best mentor that the show has ever had, and he even pointed out why Casey James might have had trouble singing, given that you can’t hear yourself on stage (not one of the FOUR judges on the panel had constructive criticism such as this). I can’t be the only one to think of this. Wait – I take that back. Given that the Idol producers can barely run the show on time, I bet they haven’t thought of it. Glad I’m here to help. Watch Connick Jr. in action below.

Update: a great article that agrees with me! Click: True/Slant

casey 6 @ Yahoo! Video