It appears no one knows who Harry Connick Jr. is, at least on American idol. He is the new guy on the 13th season on the hit reality show and he is judging with heavy hitters in the music industry, J. Lo and Keith Urban.

Harry was so happy that one of the contestants recognized him, he picked up a 19-year old contestant and cradled him like a baby for recognizing the music star. The contestant was Munfarid Zaidi of Pakistani origin. Connick Jr. has kept a low profile despite his singing skills.

Some of the changes made to the new season include sessions with the judges in their chambers.

Keith, J. Lo and Harry are now in the process of weeding out the ‘chaff from the wheat’ or the ‘cream of the crop’ from the 75,000 candidates auditioning to go to Hollywood. This time around there were fewer ‘joke’ contestants who were ridiculed by guests. It looks like that kind of appeal has died out with Simon Cowell.

Harry brings stark honesty to the show, even when contestants were saying, ‘you’re mom’s favorite singer.’ That’s a hard lie to respond to, but even when Keith and Jennifer were nodding and Yes, Harry came through with open remarks: “No, I don’t you were meant to be a singer.”

One report said that J.Lo was sidelining Harry’s comments, but that was probably to keep things fun and maintain her ego from going sour. Show watchers speculate he will be getting tougher with Jennifer as the season progresses and all will be good.

Entertainment Weekly reported that there won’t be many uncomfortable moments between judges on this season of American Idol and Harry might actually play a part in this.