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During Monday’s Television Critics Association winter press tour event, Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr. indicated they have a really good feeling about the upcoming season of Fox reality series ‘American Idol.’

Ratings have plunge by more than 20 percent during each of the last two seasons. While season eleven lost ground with the advent of NBC’s ‘The Voice,’ a full fledged train wreck featuring diva judges Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj nearly gutted season twelve.

Season thirteen of the singing competition premieres Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 8 p.m. ET/PT with auditions that were taped in Boston and Austin. The following night will feature San Francisco talent.

Urban, the lone survivor from last season, is optimistic about his new panelists, “We have a very shared spirit. That’s what I felt with both of them, with Ryan, too. There’s the balance between being very focused and having discussions about the craft but also having fun with it.”

Connick joked, “I will tell every kid that comes, whether you’re dedicated or not, you need to work on your craft.”

Former judge Lopez said, “I’m luck enough to sit between two people who I respect and have a good time with.”

The show also boasts new producers and a new director. Executive producer Trish Kinane acknowledged, “It’s still ‘American Idol.’ However, the many changes have made a fresher whole.”

Photos: WENN