Well, that was anti-climatic!!! It’s the episode everyone has been waiting for since TMZ leaked the video of Nicki Minaj tearing a new one into Mariah Carey. Would Nigel Lythgoe air the Jerry Springer-worthy catfight or chicken out? All episode long, Lythgoe teased audiences by building up the tension between the judges. In the end, he pussy’ed out and aired only the PG-rated portions. Perhaps, it was to keep the show more family friendly, or he has a bigger master plan like saving it for the season finale. You never know with him. Whatever his reason, I’m a little bummed. I wanted to see the battle in high-definition and not on some grainy TMZ footage.

Oh well, now that anticipation for the infamous fight is over, we can place our focus back on the contestants. The Charlotte auditions episode is what I hate most about American Idol. The producers focused too much time on the trainwrecks than on the talent. The show began with two back-to-back contestants who were neither good, nor entertaining. Sufficed to say, they aren’t going to Hollywood. That said, there were a couple of standouts, including a 16-year-old bluesy singer and a mother who performed the theme song of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Check out my favorites below, along with Nicki’s tantrum.

PS. While I don’t agree with Nicki walking off the set, I’m totally on her side with her viewpoint regarding the judges’ disagreement. Mariah, Keith and Randy practically brownbeated the contestant until she gave responses they liked. Check out the clip at the very end of the post to see what I’m referring to.

American Idol 12: Charlotte’s Best Auditions

Seretha Guinn

When she told the judges she was performing “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” Nicki Minaj’s eyes weren’t the only ones rolling. I also did a couple rolls myself. Then within seconds of her unique rendition of the classic TV theme song, I felt like an ass. She nailed it. Sadly though, I don’t think she’s going to make it far because her “How Do I Live” performance was on par with Leann Rimes’ appearance on The X Factor finale. We all know how that turned out. Side note: How friggin’ adorable was her daughter? 2 cute 4 words.

Taisha Bethea

Taisha Bethea has been the lead vocalist in a rock band for over four years. Why she decided to sing a Johnny Cash cover first was ludicrous. Luckily for her, the judges gave her a second shot because she rocked it out on Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughta Know.” Fingers crossed she doesn’t choke in Hollywood.

Janelle Arthur

I’m so glad Janelle came back. Back in Season 10, she impressed me with her Shania Twain cover. Click here to check that out. That said, I wasn’t jumping out of my seat this around after her MEH audition. Still, I have high hopes for Janelle.

Candice Glover

Here’s another American Idol reject hoping for a better outcome this year. In Season 11, Glover, Deandre Brackensick and Jessica Sanchez wowed everyone with their performance in Las Vegas. Given her stellar performance, everyone was shocked when the judges cut here. Will she have better luck with Minaj, Carey and Urban than she did with Steven Tyler and J. Lo? I think so.

Isabel Gonzalez

Randy Jackson surprised the 16-year-old at her high school with a ticket to audition. Loved her bluesy tone and her riffs were sick. Sadly though, I don’t think she’s going to make it far. Her audition wasn’t part of the videos uploaded to American Idol’s official YouTube channel. Side note: Doesn’t she look like a young Phoebe Cates of Gremlins & Fast Times at Ridgemont High fame?

Jimmy Smith

The sole guy to impress me tonight. Talk about slim pickings. Once he finished sucking up to Keith Urban, he delivered a strong Rascal Flatts cover. Speaking of “God Bless The Broken Road,” I forgot to include that in my post, 10 Songs I Never Want To Hear On American Idol Again. Seriously overplayed, don’t you think?

Nicki Minaj Walks Away From The Panel

Here’s the lead up to Nicki Minaj’s blow up and walking off the set. The second clip shows the judges disagreement after Summer Cunningham’s audition. Poor girl. She probably didn’t know what to do in the awkward situation. If the PG-Rated fight didn’t turn your crank, be sure to check out the unaired TMZ-captured battle here. It’s EVERYTHING and then some.

What do you think of Nigel Lythgoe’s decision not to air the Nicki and Mariah’s catfight? Agree or disagree? Who impressed you the most at the Charlotte auditions? Sound off below.

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