As the two new divas on the “American Idol” panels dismissed their widely-publicized verbal scuffles Tuesday, producers discussed a greater threat to the high rated show as it enters its 12th season: the general shrinkage of audiences for singing competitions overall.
Nicki Minaj, in dark wig and insanely high heels, and Mariah Carey, in a matronly green dress and heels, expressed their admiration for one another on the panel at the TV Critics Association winter press tour session for Fox.
But their tone also indicated there wasn’t much love lost between them.
“Have you never gotten along with someone you’ve worked with?” Minaj tried to explaining to a writer.
“It was one sided,” Carey said.
“No it wasn’t,” Minaj shot back.
And as the audience for the previously moribund panel shot to life with laughter from reporters, Minaj shot up her hands, “That’s what America wants: the drama.”
Producer Mike Darnell would use a different word for it. “It’s authentic – there is passion on this crew.”
And producer Ken Warwick added: “It’s that passion that’s what you want from the judges.”
The scrap certainly illustrated how important the judges are to the proliferating singing competitions. While “Idol” once began with a panel of two unknown judges and a former pop star in Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul, the show has since seen superstar contemporary recording artists take the slots — and much of the buzz — of the shows.
Carey and Minaj join a third newcomer, the country star Keith Urban, to the judges panel that include just one holdover in Randy Jackson. They were replacing a set of judges that included some other million-sellers, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler.
Darnell said he thinks “Idol” needs a renewal every couple of years. “This panel has reinvigorated the show,” he said. “The energy is great.”
Early in the panel Carey said reports of a feud with Minaj were offensive. Minaj was quiet for a long time before she said in the middle of the session, “I say nice things about Marah all the time, I tell her all the time how much of a fan I am of her. She’s one of the greatest singers of all time, and shaped a generation. To be on a panel with her is kind of crazy.”
Carey replied with the kind of tone you hear in a mediation settlement: “That was obviously a very sweet thing to say.”
Urban, for his part, said he was happy to be embraced into the “Idol” fold.
“A dysfunctional family,” said Carey, “but still a family.”
Unlike the other newcomers, Urban had experience as judge, on the Australian version of “Idol” rival “The Voice.”
The addition of “The Voice” and “The X Factor” have eroded the overall audience for siging shows Darnell says.
“There are too many shows like this on the air, they’re all taking eachother down a little bit,” he said, “but this one is the king of the shows.”
“American Idol” starts Jan. 16 with the first of four two-hour audition episodes that continue through the end of the month. Two hundred seventy six hopefuls will be sent on to the Hollywood rounds, producer Nigel Lythgoe said. They will be reduced to a top 40 of 20 male and 20 female contestants Feb. 14.
For the first time, a new semifinal round in Las Vegas will reduce the contestants down to a Top 20, Feb. 20 to 28. Then viewers will vote who goes to the top 10 in the season’s first live show March 5 and 6, with the Top 10 revealed March 7. Live performances begin March 13.