“American Idol” first began in June 2002 and is continuing to air on FOX nearly 10 years later, however, ratings have shown to decrease during the current season 12 airings. This is the first season since season nine to feature four judges: Randy Jackson, Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey, and Keith Urban.
Despite the fights between judges Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj, ratings have decreased. Months before the show was set to air, “TMZ” had leaked a video of Minaj and Carey fighting on set. This video was believed to get the hype of the audience and increase ratings for when the show aired.
Farrah Ng, freshman, Psychology major said “I believe the fight between Mariah and Nicki Minaj is just a big publicity stunt to get more ratings.”
An average of 17.8 million total viewers tuned in to the two-hour premiere, decreasing 19 percent compared with last season. The featured fight between Carey and Minaj aired during the second week of “American Idol” auditions which according to the Los Angeles Times, was down more than 10 percent from the season premiere.
“American Idol” auditions continue to air on Fox but will the drama between Carey and Minaj be enough to keep viewers interested?
Kate Cozens, freshman, Pre-Nursing major said “I don’t think may people really care anymore. The judges are not that great this year. Honestly, I think Nicki Minaj is rude to the contestants and it makes me want to watch less of the show. “American Idol” has been on too long and it’s time for it to be the last season. ”
Megan Shoemaker, freshman, Pre-Nursing major finds the show to have gone downhill. “Nicki Minaj does not make the show better, she makes it worse because she is annoying and her fighting with Mariah Carey does not make me want to watch it more. It’s all just for ratings.”
“American Idol” has also become runner up to shows such as “X Factor” and “The Voice.” Some CBU students believe that these shows [X Factor and The Voice] are better shows than American Idol. “The Voice and even X Factor are better shows to watch because they are non-judgmental and are solely based on the voice. It is more creative and more advanced than American Idol” said Ng.
Cozens, Shoemaker and Ng all believe that “The Voice” is a better singing competition that they would rather watch. “The Voice has better judges and is more reasonable than American Idol” said Cozens.
“American Idol” airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8/7c on Fox.
