Sniping, then singing as 'American Idol' returns
LOS ANGELES (AP) - The Fox network is putting a brave face on the shrinking appeal of "American Idol."
Its 12th-season premiere Wednesday posted "an expected 19 percent decline versus least season" in the 18-to-49 demographic, the network said on Thursday. But the network hastened to add that Fox still had the highest-rated night of entertainment programming of any network thus far this season, and outperformed its three-network competition combined by 11 percent.
"Idol" drew 17.9 million total viewers on Wednesday. Last year's premiere was seen by 21.9 million total viewers.
During the broadcast, the judges voiced optimism of their own.
"I feel like we jell well in a weird, crazy way," said Nicki Minaj, speaking of the judges' panel near the episode's conclusion.
At least, there was no hair-pulling between Minaj and Mariah Carey, even as some viewers may have been reduced to it.
The pop divas exchanged insults worthy of middle schoolers, fellow freshman judge Keith Urban looked trapped between them, and there was a whiff of make-believe Wednesday about the show's touted feud.
"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, with Carey then accusing Minaj of rudeness to her during an earlier elevator meeting.
Mercifully, a contestant arrived to break up the bickering and remind viewers that we tuned in to a talent show, not an episode of "Real Housewives of American Idol."
When the action resumed, Minaj demonstrated a magnificent talent for eye-rolling and upped the ante with a muttered insult.
"If she called me something that begins with a 'b' and ends with an 'itch,' I rebuke it," Carey declared.
Whether the clash is real, 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.
Then host Ryan Seacrest brought "American Idol" back down to Earth and to its new judges.
"Our legacy continues as a new era begins," he said, reciting the panelists' resumes, including record sales, Grammys won and, in Carey's case, vocal range (five octaves, "the definition of diva," Seacrest said).
Cue the parade of good, bad and touching performances and biographies, with contestants facing serious challenges once again an "Idol" hallmark.
The judges, including veteran Randy Jackson, hardened their hearts and rejected a young man who had lost a leg to cancer but melted for a teenage girl whose family fosters children with medical concerns and another singer with partial hearing loss.
Forty-one people survived the New York auditions to sing another day in the Hollywood rounds, with the action moving to Chicago on Thursday's episode.
Its 12th-season premiere Wednesday posted "an expected 19 percent decline versus least season" in the 18-to-49 demographic, the network said on Thursday. But the network hastened to add that Fox still had the highest-rated night of entertainment programming of any network thus far this season, and outperformed its three-network competition combined by 11 percent.
"Idol" drew 17.9 million total viewers on Wednesday. Last year's premiere was seen by 21.9 million total viewers.
During the broadcast, the judges voiced optimism of their own.
"I feel like we jell well in a weird, crazy way," said Nicki Minaj, speaking of the judges' panel near the episode's conclusion.
At least, there was no hair-pulling between Minaj and Mariah Carey, even as some viewers may have been reduced to it.
The pop divas exchanged insults worthy of middle schoolers, fellow freshman judge Keith Urban looked trapped between them, and there was a whiff of make-believe Wednesday about the show's touted feud.
"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, with Carey then accusing Minaj of rudeness to her during an earlier elevator meeting.
Mercifully, a contestant arrived to break up the bickering and remind viewers that we tuned in to a talent show, not an episode of "Real Housewives of American Idol."
When the action resumed, Minaj demonstrated a magnificent talent for eye-rolling and upped the ante with a muttered insult.
"If she called me something that begins with a 'b' and ends with an 'itch,' I rebuke it," Carey declared.
Whether the clash is real, 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.
Then host Ryan Seacrest brought "American Idol" back down to Earth and to its new judges.
"Our legacy continues as a new era begins," he said, reciting the panelists' resumes, including record sales, Grammys won and, in Carey's case, vocal range (five octaves, "the definition of diva," Seacrest said).
Cue the parade of good, bad and touching performances and biographies, with contestants facing serious challenges once again an "Idol" hallmark.
The judges, including veteran Randy Jackson, hardened their hearts and rejected a young man who had lost a leg to cancer but melted for a teenage girl whose family fosters children with medical concerns and another singer with partial hearing loss.
Forty-one people survived the New York auditions to sing another day in the Hollywood rounds, with the action moving to Chicago on Thursday's episode.
I watched last night only because I couldnt find anything else good to watch.  Nothing new, same format, different judges. Hopefully this is the last season.   This really stopped being good when Simon left.  Nicki who??  Mariah is the only one that I would consider truly talented and even then she seems threatened by some of the better singers. Â
I would think after 12 seasons and a decline that the best thing they can do is just end the show! The AI hype is over! People are watching The Voice now. Move on FOX!
I haven't watched in years, but tuned in last night because I'm a Nicki Minaj fan. I thought the show was good but didn't appreciate the staged awful auditions. We know that everyone gets screened numerous times before going in front of the panel. The fun of the first episodes is seeing tons of potential contestants bombing, not hearing the sob stories of a select few. The attempts at recreating a William Hung moment took away the possibility of truly funny ones.Â
i missed it...i was tuned in to amish mafia...
I guess if one must choose then I give best legs to Minaj..
I'm still amazed that folks watch this cra... I mean stuff. It reminds me of the Gong Show I used to watch in the 70's. Thank goodness I get the History and NatGeo channels. Different strokes for different folks I suppose.
 @d_2 I've never seen it either.  Locked Up Abroad and Pitbulls and Parolees are two that I enjoy on NatGeo when I do watch TV!  NatGeo is great.
 @Doxie Locked up Abroad... what a show. A must see for anyone who wants to travel. Heck you can be locked up in Dubai if you hold hands walking down the street. Sheesh!
 @d_2 Everyone who intends to use a passport should watch that show.  It's amazing how many people think "THEY" will be the ones to get away with drug smuggling though.
I cannot stand Nicki Minaj. She is one of the most narcissistic people out there and she doesn't have the class or talent to back it up.
$30,000,000 between these two twits? Â Maybe it should be called "Last Legs." Â