THE TV COLUMN

American Idol returns with new judge Connick

Yes, America, our long national (vocal) nightmare is over. American Idol has returned.

The Season 13 two-night premiere kicks off from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday on Fox, with the second two-hour episode following at the same time Thursday.

The season opens with hopefuls in Austin, Texas, and Boston auditioning. More of the production elements seem to be featured this season. I appreciate the curtain being drawn back just a bit to reveal the process. It makes the show seem less packaged.

And it’s a panel of judges that includes two old favorites and a new guy.

Gone from the lineup is veteran Randy Jackson. He’ll return to mentor contestants (replacing Jimmy Iovine) once the auditions are over and everyone gets to Hollywood.

Also gone from last season are Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj, an annoying combination of diva egos that never seemed to gel, although I enjoyed Minaj’s candor and feisty attitude.

Carey, on the other hand, contributed precious little and still cost the network a reported $18 million.

Returning for his second year is convivial country crooner Keith Urban, along with former judge Jennifer Lopez, and Harry Connick Jr.

I’ve seen the first couple of episodes and the witty, articulate Connick is a welcome addition. He appears to have been assigned the “realist” chair on the panel to counter the sweeter Lopez and softer touch Urban.

Pop quiz - who won last season?

I had to look it up, too. Candice Glover had the confetti fall on her in May, beating out Kree Harrison. It was also the lowest-rated season in Idol’s history. The finale was seen by only 14.3 million. That was an astonishing 33 percent drop from the 21.5 million viewers in Season 11.

I blame the judges. Whenever the emphasis is on the judges (such as The X Factor), the talent suffers. Hopefully, the addition of Connick and return of Lopez will restore the spotlight to the contestants - always the most compelling part of Idol for me.

Local connection: Look for a couple of Arkansans going for their golden tickets to Hollywood on Wednesday’s auditions. Terrica Curry of North Little Rock and Malcolm Allen of Wrightsville are featured.

Suburgatory, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday (ABC). If this smart sitcom has flown under your radar, here is my hearty recommendation that you check it out.

The series, returning for Season 3, is on my highly discerning, most exclusive,personal DVR list. I’ve seen every episode of the show, which follows single dad George Altman (Jeremy Sisto) and his teenage daughter Tessa (Jane Levy) in their move from the big city to suburbia.

Not only is there father/ daughter angst, drama and poignant moments, but there’s the adjustment that George must make in the land of “Franken-moms, spray tans, nose jobs and Red Bull.”

The satire is refreshing.

For the record, Suburgatory was held in reserve to replace an inevitable early casualty from the fall premieres. That turned out to be Back in the Game, starring James Caanand Maggie Lawson, which was cancelled after only six episodes.

Lawson (whom we loved from Psych) was delightful. Caan seemed to be phoning it in.

Men at Work, 9 p.m. Wednesday (TBS). It’s Season 3 for the passable buddy/dating scene comedy.

The series stars Danny Masterson, Michael Cassidy, Adam Busch and James Lesure as four best buds who work at Full Steam magazine.

Men at Work doesn’t re-invent the comedy wheel, but seems fairly innocuous.

Crazy Hearts: Nashville. This new A&E reality series has a two-night premiere at 10 p.m. Wednesday and 9 p.m. Thursday. It follows “some of the most talented up-and-coming” country musicians as they strive to make it to the big time.

Who are these rising stars? The show follows Anthony Billups, Heather Byrd, Hannah Fairlight, Lee Holyfield, April Nemeth, Leroy Powell, Jimmy Stanley and Amy Wilcox.

Drama? A&E informs us that “fiery relationships, killer performances and stiff competition cause rivalries both on and off stage. Thereis no shortage of love triangles and talent in this town, and these songbirds know it all too well.”

Local connection: Lee Holyfield is featured in the first episode. The Nashville native is the daughter of famed songwriter (and Arkansan) Wayland Holyfield (“Arkansas, You Run Deep In Me”) and hopes to follow in her father’s footsteps.

But, as you’ll see in Wednesday’s episode, Lee is having difficulty getting over her ex, bad-boy country rocker Leroy Powell, who has toured with ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Sounds like a bad country song. Or a bad country reality series. Probably both.

Downton ratings. The Season 4 debut of Downton Abbey on Jan. 5 scored 10.2 million viewers, making it TV’s most-watched show that night. The return of CBS’ The Good Wife netted 9.2 million, and ABC’s Revenge got 6.7 million.

Downton Abbey, the highest-rated drama in PBS history, airs at 9 p.m. Sundays on AETN and runs through Feb. 23. Plans have been announced for a Season 5.

The TV Column appears Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Email: mstorey@arkansasonline.com

Style, Pages 30 on 01/14/2014

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