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Article updated: 1/17/2013 7:20 AM

Sniping, then singing as ‘American Idol’ returns

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"I feel like we jell well in a weird, crazy way," Nicki Minaj declared optimistically of the panel — Mariah Carey, left, Keith Urban, Minaj and host Ryan Seacrest — near the conclusion of the first episode of this season of Fox's "American Idol" Wednesday.

Associated Press

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There was no hair-pulling between Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj on the season debut of “American Idol,” although some viewers may have been reduced to it. The pop divas exchanged insults worthy of middle schoolers, fellow freshman judge Keith Urban looked trapped between them, and there was a whiff of make-believe Wednesday about the show’s touted feud. Mercifully, a contestant arrived to break up the bickering and remind viewers that we tuned in to a talent show, not an episode of “Real Housewives of American Idol.”