The pop divas exchanged insults worthy of teenagers, fellow judge Keith Urban looked trapped between them, and there was a whiff of make-believe Wednesday about the show´s touted feud.[break]
"We can have accessories. I didn´t know that was allowed. That´s all I´m gonna say," Carey commented archly about Minaj´s flashy, drum major-style hat.
The rapper took offense.
"Why´d you have to reference my hat?" Minaj said. Carey then accused Minaj of rudeness to her during an earlier elevator meeting.
In this Jan. 8, 2013 photo, from left, Mariah Carey, Keith Urban and Nicki Minaj from "American Idol" attend the Fox Winter TCA Tour at the Langham Huntington Hotel, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP)
Mercifully, a contestant arrived to break up the bickering.
Whether the clash is real or not, Minaj´s scrappiness came off as far more entertaining than Carey´s demure, even queenly manner. Carey is getting a truly royal paycheck: $18 million, to Minaj´s $12 million.
The award for least self-absorbed judge goes to genial country singer Urban.
The two-hour episode opened by showcasing last year´s winner, Phillip Phillips, and those alumni with established careers, including Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Hudson.
"Idol" lost its status as the most-watched TV program for the first time since 2003, eclipsed by NBC´s "Sunday Night Football," and pegged its lowest-rated season since it debuted in summer 2002.
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