In my blog entry on Thursday, I mentioned that Harry Connick, Jr. had been one of the more popular celebrities rumored to be added to American Idol‘s judges table. What I hadn’t heard, however, was whether it was really just a rumor or if there had been any truth to it. Thankfully, Harry was nice enough to answer that question for me. Not that he called me directly, of course. He knows I’ve been way to busy to take any phone calls.

I saw an article over at The Hollywood Reporter that the musician-crooner talked about Idol at the latest Television Critics Association press round. Apparently he was indeed approached to see if he was interested, but the talks just sort of fizzed out.

Harry Connick, Jr. was the only rumored candidate that I was really hoping for. I thought he was the best mentor American Idol had on the show in a very long time. He actually gave the contestants both constructive criticism and advice as a mentor, and I would like to think he would have done the same as a judge. He would certainly have been an asset to the judges’ table.

Then again, someone who can say something other than “Yo, dawg, that was pitchy” or “It sounded like something you would hear from a wedding singer” would be an asset.

Speaking of the Dawg, MTV News has posted an excerpt of an interview Entertainment Weekly has done with Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez, and Ryan Seacrest for their next issue. There is a lot of good read in the MTV news story, and should be even more good read in the magazine when it comes out.

What caught my attention, however, is that Randy Jackson has gone on the record by saying, “I think a girl’s going to win the show,” a prediction I believe he also made the last three seasons. Those seasons that included David Cook beating David Archuleta, Kris Allen beating Adam Lambert, and Lee DeWyze beating Crystal Bowersox.

While I agree that it’s time for a girl to win, I think Randy should give up his annual prediction. Or, at least, not make it until the Final 2 have been announced. Then I would bet on the person he didn’t pick.

And finally, for those of you out there who believe there is no such thing as Too Much Information, Ryan Seacrest got a new automatic toilet for his birthday last month. A gift he talked about on his morning radio show.

According to contactmusic.com, Ryan said, “It has comfort functions, it has a remote control lid, at all times the seat is warm. It has buttons and lights all over it. You get close to it and it has a sensor and it just opens up. All night last night I had bottles of water by my bed drinking them, just so I had to go pee, it was so fun.”

I’ll let you all post your own joke about this. Just leave it in the comments below. Though, preferably, not while you are sitting on the toilet. Nothing worse than crappy humor.