Having a ‘great time’ with Marc

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Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony meet the press Saturday to promote “Q’Viva.” | Frederick M. Brown~Getty Images

Updated: February 17, 2012 8:19AM

PASADENA, Calif — Even though Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony split in July after seven years of marriage, they’re back together — as producers for “Q’Viva! The Chosen,” a talent competition on Univision.

Lopez told reporters Saturday that the couple’s fizzled family life hasn’t affected their professional one: “It’s the same as any other time we work together. We have a great time.”

Q’Viva, which they are producing along with XIX Entertainment’s Simon Fuller, creator of “American Idol,” documents their transcontinental journey to find talent for a live Las Vegas show, including stops in Argentina, Brazil and Mexico.

In the United States, the series — filmed in English, Spanish and Portuguese — will premiere Jan. 28 on WGBO-Channel 66. Fox will air the Vegas performance finale as a special. Choreographer Jamie King teams with the pair to find dancers, musicians, singers and other talent.

“It’s a passion project on so many levels,” Anthony says. “It’s been something near and dear to Jennifer and I.”

But unlike Lopez’s role on “Idol,” which returns Wednesday to Fox, there’s no prize, judging rounds or audience votes. “We’re documenting the process. We’re not judges. We’re three producers casting a live extravaganza with talent.”

Lopez believes that, despite the language barrier, the show has “great crossover” appeal. “It really does translate. It’s not a big leap for anybody.”

Gannett News Service