Now that iconic singing competition American Idol has been cancelled, one of its executive producers is speaking out about the show’s ‘failures’.
The once popular reality show helped launch the careers of Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks, Jennifer Hudson and others – but in recent years, Idol has struggled to match its earlier success.
On Monday, Fox announced it would air the 15th and final season of American Idol in 2016, with current judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr. Over the years, the judging lineup of the show has seen many changes – and former Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe has slammed the choice of Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj as Season 12 judges as a “major failing” for the show.
The two superstars famously appeared to have had a falling-out while filming the reality show, with footage leaked to TMZ shortly before their season aired.
“Mariah and Nicki was just crazy, and then it really started becoming about the judges and took away from the contestants altogether,” Nigel told Billboard.
“I think that was a major failing on the part of casting to have these two together. On their own, either one may have been successful.”
However, former judge Simon Cowell remembers the show more fondly, telling People he and the original lineup – Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, Ryan Seacrest and first-year host Brian Dunkleman – “had a blast”.
“Fox took a risk on a brand new show and I want to thank them for giving us the opportunity. They really were great times,” he said in his statement.
