Exclusive: Jennifer Lopez returning to 'American Idol'

Well, it looks like I may have a reason to watch American Idol again this season! Jennifer Lopez, who came on as a judge in 2011 and left after two seasons, will return as a judge after one season away. Her young beau, Casper Smart, told E! News that rumours of Lopez's return were true, after assuming Fox had already made the announcement. However, they declined to comment. Network President Kevin Reilly revealed at the Television Critics Association summer press tour that the network had approached Lopez in hopes of negotiating her return to Idol. "Jennifer has been a close part of the show all along…there have been discussions there," he said.

This is great news! I, for one, had thought the singing competition reality show had begun to go downhill last year, when Fox brought in Mariah Carey, Keith Urban and Nicki Minaj to the panel. The focus had shifted onto the judging panel, when it should've been on the contestants. Thus far, Lopez and Urban are the only two judges with a confirmed spot on the panel, as longtime judge Randy Jackson chose to leave to "focus on other business ventures". E! News also reports that a handful of Idol alums are up for spots on the judging panel, as well as Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, will.i.am and Fergie. Look for the 13th season of American Idol to premiere in January 2014.