Season 13 of "American Idol" begins Jan. 15. Yesterday, Fox released an exclusive preview of the season's highlights featuring a friendlier judging panel.

The special highlight preview is over four-and-a-half minutes long. For the first time, "American Idol" fans can check out the chemistry between returning judge Jennifer Lopez, second timer Keith Urban and newcomer Harry Connick Jr.

Lopez, Urban and Connick shine in the preview as they try to empower and uplift auditioners from cities including Atlanta, Omaha, Detroit, Salt Lake City, Austin, and Boston. It appears that this season, "American Idol" is hoping for more peace at the judging table. This will be a change from last season, which often featured Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj bickering.

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 musical wisdom.

"His music education is so far beyond the normal person I think," Lopez said during the Atlanta auditions. "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."

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."

Check out a preview of the new "American Idol" in the video below:

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