Poor Keith! I would guess that this article is partly true!

Furious about the out-of-control MARIAH CAREY-NICKI MINAJ bitch-a-thon raging backstage at “American Idol,” judge KEITH URBAN suddenly bellowed at the show’s producers: “This trash isn’t what I signed up for!”

“They don’t pay me enough to have to deal with this crap,” kvetched Keith, who pockets a paltry $4 million a season, about half Minaj’s take – and chump change compared to diva Mariah’s whopping $18 million paycheck.

Insiders say Keith told execs: “I don’t want to be the peacemaker this entire season” – and he’d be grateful if they’d replace him.

“Keith knew there’d be friction between the two women, but had no idea how vicious and threatening it would become,” said a source.

I watched both Wed and Thursday to get a feel for American idol this season. NM's voice is so grating. I thought the second night was better and I love Keith Urban of all the 4 judges. There is somethig really genuine and nice about him. NM is such low class and slutty. Mariah is too much a diva. Randy has been exceedingly blunt. Doubt if I will continue to watch, as I got what I needed to get from these 2 shows.

I did like Lazaro( the stutterer) and the rather quirky girl from NC ( the flamethrower). I actually enjoyed her rendition with the guitar and her own musings. I think she will be the one to watch, however, I think age is against her.

Good luck Idol. Viewing were down 19% from last year for the first night, and it was not a good night compared to the second night. I suspect viewership dropped the second night. So it will be interesting to see the viewership ratings. Glad Adam is not invoved. I think I read that the new judging panel were the sandbags holding back the flooding. Any breach could send this show washing away.

As expected, the ratings for Idol were down from Wednesday night, and about the same as the second show of Season 11:

Idol Ratings for Thursday 1/17 from TvLine.com

So, not very good. FOX made the same mistake with X-Factor and Idol: they assumed spending big money on celebrity judges would build ratings. It might have worked if the judges were good. But Nicki Minaj is working my last nerve -- she is so annoying. And Mariah seems to be off in a world of her own, one in which a personality is not required. And Randy is worthless, as always. (Keith is okay so far.)

Interestingly, Nigel Lythgoe usually tweets after the Idol shows, either to praise the contestants and/or judges, or address criticism. He has not tweeted at all after the shows this week. I wonder if he is madly re-editing next week's shows to reduce the bickering between Mariah and Nicki -- I've seen a lot of negative feedback on the bitchery.

I feel sorry for the contestants -- I hope the focus of the show continues to shift more towards them. They're the only thing this show has going for it.

OMG I just caught up on the first two AI12 shows tonight.  They should change the name to the Nicki & Mariah Show.  They just kept talking over each other & flippin' their hair around & making it all about THEM.  Geez.  Now I really & truly believe that the Universe is protecting Adam because I'm so happy he is NOT a judge for this season.  Mariah & Nicki just have to have all the attention. So let 'em.  I'll probably keep watching for awhile just to see how things shake out, but oh man.....this is not pretty.  :-[