Our picks for the next 'American Idol' judge Randy Jackson is leaving "American Idol" after 12 years as a judge, and he might not be the only one. But who should take his place? Harry Connick Jr. has been a mentor on "Idol," but does he have what it takes to be a regular judge? Even he's not so sure. As he recently told Ellen DeGeneres, "I had a good time mentoring. Judging is a whole different deal," he said. I don't know how good I would be at that. Here are some of our other suggestions: