It’s about time. Fox finally made what everyone already knows official: Harry Connick Jr. and Jennifer Lopez will judge the new season of American Idol with Keith Urban. Randy Jackson is also coming back in a new role as mentor.

“American Idol has always been about discovering the next singing superstar, and next season our judging panel will deliver a most impressive combination of talent, wisdom and personality to do just that: Jennifer Lopez, the triple-threat global superstar who loves Idol and whom Idol fans love; Harry Connick, Jr., a bona-fide musical genius and fantastic Idol mentor whose honesty and expertise can help turn these hopefuls into stars; Keith Urban, a multi-Grammy-winning artist who was such a positive force on the show last season. We are also very excited to have our friend Randy Jackson now in a new role as mentor, and the captain of our team – the heart and soul of Idol – Ryan Seacrest returning as host,” Kevin Reilly, Chairman of Entertainment, Fox, said in a statement.

The news is no surprise, since Connick Jr emerged as a judging candidate last week and the possibility that Jackson would be back was also reported.

Lopez had been linked to the show all summer and then boyfriend Casper Smart let the cat out of the bag.

“I think this season of Idol is gonna be a blast,” said Urban, the only judge from last season returning with the same role. ”New team, new energy and a whole new field of artists to be discovered and given a chance!”

Jackson said he was leaving after last season, but the judge, who has been with Idol since day one, is taking the mentor role, a role Jimmy Iovine previously had. Lopez also previously judged the show for two seasons with Steven Tyler. Connick Jr has also performed on the show in the past.

Idol’s new season starts in January and auditions will take place in Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Detroit, Omaha, Salt Lake City and San Francisco.

image: Fox