Season 13 of American Idol has promised to bring back the dream this year with a new feel and new and familiar faces joining the show. Idol's newest addition is Louis J. Horvitz as director.

Last week, Fox announced the introduction of Horvitz to season 13 of the long running reality singing competition show, Variety reports.

"We are incredibly lucky to have Louis joining 'American Idol XIII' this season," Trish Kinane, President of Entertainment Programming, FremantleMedia North America, Inc., said. "He is a true talent who has overseen some of the most glamorous and entertaining productions on U.S. television. He is focused on helping our 'Idol' contestants achieve their potential and we are thrilled to have him on the team."

Horvitz is known for his work on other major live broadcasts including the Emmys, the Grammys, the Academy Awards and The Kennedy Center Honors. The director already has seven Primetime Emmy awards under his belt, including Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special for 2012's The Kennedy Center Honors.

"'American Idol' is the gold standard of music competition shows and I couldn't be more excited to be a part of the team, bringing this show live to millions of living rooms across the country," Horvitz said.

New judge, Harry Connick Jr., has stated that "American Idol" will have a fresh feeling this year.

"...it's a new show," he said. "It's got new producers, different directors, different panels, different contestants. It's got a new look. It's got a new feel, and it's a new day for this great show."

Connick Jr. will be joining returning judges Jennifer Lopez and Keith Urban at the judging table.

"From the very first contestant we saw, it just felt very natural," Connick said. "I really love being up there with them ... We're completely different. We're different brains, different personalities, different philosophies."

Season 13 of American Idol premieres on Jan. 15 and Jan. 16 with two-hour-long episodes at 8 p.m. on Fox.

Related