Season 13 "American Idol" judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr. are loving each other's company.

On Wednesday, the "American Idol" judges held auditions in Atlanta. While there, the judges spoke about how highly they think of one another.

Lopez, who was a judge on season 11 and 12 of "Idol," thinks fans will take a liking to first-timer Connick because of his sense of humor and musical wisdom.

"He's incredibly funny," Lopez told Associated Press. "His music education is so far beyond the normal person I think. What he has to offer to America ... is the art of singing, the art of playing, all of that ... It's gonna be something new for the show."

Lopez is returning to season 14 of "Idol" after taking a year-long hiatus to go on a world tour.

"No one really has any idea what it takes to be Jennifer Lopez," Connick said. "I mean people say, 'Oh, I want that.' Well, if they wanted it they would do what it takes to get there, and they don't even have a 10th of a percentage of an understanding to do what it takes. These people that are auditioning for this show are so lucky to have a minute of [Lopez's] time whether they make it through or not because the essence of 'American Idol' is looking for a new superstar, and Jennifer embodies superstar."

This will be Urban's second season judging the Fox show. According to Lopez, he takes his role to heart.

"I find that I'm like that, and women are like that but to see a man so kind of in touch with that place, it was really a pleasant surprise for me again," she said. "People got to know him last year, but I think they're gonna get to know him even more this year."

The three judges say that this season will be unlike any other. In some ways, it definitely will be: Randy Jackson will be a mentor for the first time, and the results show has been shortened to 30 minutes.

"There's a lot of subtle change everywhere," Urban said. "Not just with us but with the way the show looks, the way it feels."

Auditions for the next "American Idol" have also been held in Omaha, Detroit, Salt Lake City, Austin, and Boston.

"American Idol" will premiere on Jan. 15 and Jan. 16 with two-hour long episodes at 8 p.m. on Fox.

Related