SEASON PREMIERE: This is Season 15 for American Idol – and the final one, since this former TV juggernaut, like others before it, eventually has seen its audience erode to the point where it’s no longer viable. And though it’s no longer the massive media phenomenon it once was, American Idol still deserves credit at succeeding where so many competition shows of its type have failed. Many series make stars of the judges, but not the talent – The Voice, I’m looking at you. But Idol, its first year with Kelly Clarkson, struck more gold than most of these other series put together. And that’s just for starters. So 15 years later, as Idol comes to a close, enjoy the final ride and expect some return appearances, by former winners and, at some point, former judges. Keith Urban, Harry Connick Jr. and Jennifer Lopez, who is about to star in an NBC drama series, Shades of Blue, premiering tomorrow, are the final-season judges.