Idol Chatter & Voice Views

American Idol is calling them the “Dream Team.”

Time will tell whether there’s a nugget or truth to that or whether it’s wishful thinking.

As much as I root for Idol to bounce back to its glory-day status as must-see TV, I’m thinking it’s more of the latter.

And if I were grading the producers on their first real test — and, after all, I’ve graded every Idol performance for five years now — I’d give them a D.

Harry Connick Jr. is joining the judging panel after guest judging stints in 2010 and last spring, and he’s the key in whether this new panel works or not.

Last spring, he got into a very animated discussion with Randy Jackson over a contestant’s performances. That’s a good sign because: 1) he disagreed with Randy Jackson; 2) he voiced a thoughtful opinion about a performance that contained more than 10 words and made sense.

Perhaps he can enliven things at the judges’ table. After all, his resume not only includes three Grammys, but a long list of film roles and a recurring stint on “Will and Grace.”

In the official FOX press release, he’s quoted as saying he’s “truly excited to bring my perspective to American Idol and to help emerging performers find their way.”

Here’s hoping he can help Idol and its new producers find their way because the other two “official” announcements on Tuesday deserve flat-off “F” grades.

Surprise, surprise, Jennifer Lopez is back.

OK, that’s not a surprise because it’s been talked about for weeks. There just hadn’t been an official announcement.

Her return is a real head-scratcher. Now, if I’m a producer on Idol, I’m looking for two things in the new judges for Season 13. Someone who is capable and willing to critically judge what takes place on stage. And someone who can draw eyeballs to the show.

Because Idol can talk as much as it wants about putting the focus on contestants in Season 13. But when the season starts, no one will know those contestants. Those who tune in will do so because they’re dedicated fans to the show — in which case they’d be tuning in anyway — or because their intrigued by the new judges.

Jennifer’s ability to intrigue? To draw new viewers?

About zero.

I mean, we watched her for two years. And during those two seasons, she proved very adept at one thing — promoting herself.

She was not an insightful judge during Seasons 10 and 11 and she won’t be an insightful judge in Season 13. Sorry, “that gave me the goosies” doesn’t quite qualify as insightful in my book.

Hell, Nicki Minaj was more entertaining on her dullest day than Jennifer Lopez. It’s just a shame they couldn’t take her Twitter password away. And that they had to throw her on a panel with Mariah Carey.

For all those millions, Idol couldn’t find someone who’d more capable of arousing our curiosity? Really?

All that said, if Jennifer’s return is head-scratching, Randy’s is flat-out mind-boggling.

This is a guy who has relied on the same ol’ cliches for years sitting at the judges’ table.

Now he’s going to mentor the singers? Really?

I can just see the clip now. A Season 13 contestant has just rehearsed a song for Randy.

Randy’s response: “Dawg, you can sing the phone book.”

Yep, that’s sure going to improve the contestant’s performance.

So, I guess our hope lies with you, Harry Connick Jr.

At least you’ll have one competent ally in Keith Urban, who if nothing else, seemed fully invested in what was happening on stage in Season 12.

Best of luck, guys, as part of the American Idol Season 13 Dream Team.

I hope I’m wrong, but for now it looks more like the D Team.