Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey feud on "American Idol": Ryan Seacrest weighs in

From left, Randy Jackson, Mariah Carey, Ryan Seacrest, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban of "American Idol." / Fox

Ryan Seacrest admits things got intense during an "American Idol" taping on Tuesday when an argument erupted between judges Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey - but he says that's just what the show needs.

Minaj was caught on video unleashing a tirade on Carey during an auditions stop in Charlotte, N.C. Amid a dispute over a contestant, the rapper announced that she was "not [expletive] putting up with her [expletive] highness over there."

Another new judge, Keith Urban, was in the unenviable position of sitting between the two of them.

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On his radio show, Seacrest said "Idol" needs some passionate debate.

"It did get intense," he said. "We want that. We want them to be on this panel together. This is a good team, a great team, to go out and look for the next American Idol ... the feedback that they give is very good."

"American Idol" is still the nation's most popular show despite a dramatic fall-off in ratings last season that led to three new judges joining Randy Jackson. The show's new season premieres in January.

A Fox representative said Wednesday the network has no comment on its feuding judges.

[jahmartin-2009]

Maybe Minaj's behavior was "no problem" for Seacrest but it was for this mother of eight year old twin girls. She has a fowl potty mouth and should be ashamed of herself for letting her young fans down. The whole think made me sick.

[twmat311]

The reactions of Seacrest, Nick Cannon, and the network leave a lot to be desired; if this were not staged, it would be ridiculous enough, but it seems like they planned and encourage this!

I don't know if Minaj is an actual physical threat, but her classless behavior went way beyond "intense." There are some talented people auditioning on this show, and to let this upstage them demonstrates the show has lost out to the other newer musical talent shows.

[talkin2u924]

Idol has turned into a circus. To hire Niki Manaj is a slap in the face of entertainment professionals who have paid their dues. Professionals who have risen to the top of the singing profession....and Idol hires a foul mouthed, ill tempered, disgusting woman who has NOT paid her dues in the industry...and other young singers are supposed to listen to her? I would not.

[bobvans]

I don't mind the feuding, it is the people that are on it. When Simon and Paula fought it was entertaining, not filthy like this low class, non-talented piece of work is.