Mariah Carey was a big get for American Idol, a dying show that no one really cares about anymore. By all measures, her presence on the judges’ panel should have made the ratings skyrocket – especially given her “feud” with Nicki Minaj, which has been far less exciting than we’d all hoped. In any case, higher ratings have been elusive and apparently, Idol producers considered getting rid of Mariah in favour of bringing back former judge Jennifer Lopez. Oh, snap!
Team Mariah caught wind of this, apparently, and threatened to sue the show, which threw a wrench in the whole operation. Of course, Nigel Lythgoe over at Idol has denied this was ever in the works, but I think we all know better.
From The Hollywood Reporter:
“This is just another ridiculous Idol judge rumor, likely started by talks of Jennifer performing on the finale,” a Fox spokeswoman tells THR in a statement. Producer Fremantle NorthAmerica declines to comment. A rep for Carey denies these allegations. Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe tells THR: “I have not been included in any conversation regarding replacing Mariah with Jen this season.”
American Idol kicked off its 12th season on solid enough footing. Earning a 6.0 rating with adults 18-49 and 17.9 million total viewers in its January return, the 17 percent dip was less precipitous than some of the bigger drops in recent years. But the months since have been less kind. The Wednesday performance show is currently averaging a 4.3 rating with adults 18-49, its worst performance since its inaugural season in 2001. And it is dropping nearly every week.
Well, obviously it’s dropping every week – no one gives a shit about American Idol. It’s a dated format now that produces very few stars anymore and people aren’t watching because of it. Obviously shows like The Voice are doing well (though they don’t fare well with producing real-life stars at all and never have) because it’s a shake-up of the traditional talent show genre, but whatever.
Apparently Idol producers want to gut the entire panel for next season, which begs the question: WHY IS THERE GOING TO BE ANOTHER SEASON OF AMERICAN IDOL? Christ almighty, let it die.
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