Getty Images
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 feel like we jell well in a weird, crazy way," Minaj declared optimistically of the panel near the episode's conclusion.
Fox certainly hopes so. Last season, "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.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
Check Out Our "Biggest Celebrity Feuds" Gallery
- Adam Lambert vs. 'Les Miserables' cast
- One Direction vs. The Wanted
- Rihanna vs. Jessie J
- Deryck Whibley vs. Avril Lavigne
- Donald Trump vs. Cher
- Mariah Carey vs. Nicki Minaj
- Rita Ora vs. Rob Kardashian
- Honorable Mention -- Taylor Swift vs. Adele
- Lady Gaga's Greatest Grammy Moments
- Channeling her inner Rainbow Bright in the 2010 red carpet
- Performing 'Poker Face' at the 2010 Grammys
- Debuting One of Her Many Costume Changes at the 2010 Awards
- Winning the Best Pop Vocal Album Award for 'The Fame Monster' During the 53rd Annual Grammys
- Goofing Off With Willow Smith at the 2011 Ceremony
- Emerging From Her Egg Womb Pre-Performance at the 2011 Show
- On Stage During her Powerhouse 'Born This Way' Performance in 2011
- Lady Gaga Sessions Photos
- Lady Gaga
- Lady Gaga
- Lady Gaga
- Lady Gaga
- Lady Gaga
- Lady Gaga
- Lady Gaga
- Lady Gaga
- Lady Gaga
- Lady Gaga
- Lady Gaga
- Lady Gaga
- Lady Gaga
- Memorable 'Glee' Moments
- Worst Photoshopped Album Covers
- Mariah Carey's 'Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel'
- Adam Lambert's 'For Your Entertainment'
- Kelly Clarkson's 'All I Ever Wanted'
- Jennifer Hudson's Self-Titled Debut CD
- Britney's Spears' 'Circus'
- Madonna's 'Remixed & Revisited' EP
- Heidi Montag's 'Sex Ed'
- Jessica Simpson's 'Happy Christmas'
Watch "Nicki Minaj to Ellen: 'I Am Not a Psycho'"
Kellie Pickler Named 'Dancing With the Stars' Champion
Kellie Pickler Gets Puppy Surprise After Moving 'Dancing With the Stars' Performance
J. Cole Performs 'Born Sinner' on 'Late Night With Jimmy Fallon,' Reveals Competitive Spirit Against Kanye West
Blake Shelton Joins NBC in Organizing Oklahoma Tornado Benefit Concert
Beyonce Releases New Anthem, 'Grown Woman'
Charlie Sheen Gets Back To His Roots
Toby Keith Returns to Help Family, Friends in Moore, Oklahoma
That's An Interesting Look, Madge
Black Hippy Release 'U.O.E.N.O.' Remix
WHOOPS! Obama Makes Big Gaffe
Mariah Carey's Dress Busts Open During 'GMA' Performance
Candid Portraits Of Strippers After Hours
Blake Shelton's 'Healing in the Heartland' Benefit Show to Include Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert More
Mariah Carey Curses And Busts Out Of Dress On Live TV
Chief Keef Receives Apology From Katy Perry
16 Pasta Dishes Worse Than Yours
AMAZING PHOTO: UFO Spotted Over San Diego
Killed Soldier In London Attack Identified
What It's Like To Talk To A 2-Year-Old
Luke Wilson Caught Staring At Fan's Chest
Best Friends Reportedly Die Holding Each Other In Tornado
Danny Tanner Is Fighting With Topanga
Rapper Accused Of Faking His Own Death To Escape Payments
Jury Foreman: '18 Days Of Testimony Hurt' Jodi Arias
New Trayvon Martin Evidence Features Incriminating Photos, Texts From Teen
Teenager's 'Awww'-Inspiring Drawing Wins Big At Google
Surgeons Remove Giant Hairball From Tiger
Brave Woman Stood Down Armed London Attackers
LOOK: Photoshop Mistake Is Seriously Cringeworthy
WATCH: Police Force Shows Up To Support 5-Year-Old Who Lost Her Dad
Jodi Arias Jury DEADLOCKED
Mum-Of-Two Faces Down Woolwich Attack Suspects
'DWTS' Shakeup Ahead?
1 Comment