Season 12 of "American Idol" debuted on Wednesday and two of the show's new judges did not fall short in delivering the drama. 

Mariah Carey, 42, and Nicki Minaj, 30, continuously bickered during the show's two-hour premiere.

Minaj called Carey a "b*tch" not once, but three times during the premiere episode. The co-judges also bickered over English accents and when Carey indirectly commented on a hat Minaj was wearing.

The drama took place during auditions held in Lincoln Center in New York City. When a contestant told Carey that her hit holiday song "All I Want For Christmas" is "the best Christmas song ever," Carey said that the song is still a No.1  hit 17 years later. Minaj replied to Carey's comment with "She's a b*tch, she's a b*tch, she's a b*tch." Carey remarked, "If she called me something that begins with a 'b' and ends with an 'itch,' I rebuke it."

In another scene, the divas bickered over fake English accents. Later, Carey questioned the rapper's drum major hat by saying, "We can have accessories? I didn't know that was allowed ... that's all I'm gonna say."

Minaj then asked Carey, "Why'd you have to reference my hat?"

The Minaj-Carey feud has become a hot topic in the news and social media and the question that remains is whether the drama is worth it for the FOX network.

Fewer than 18 million viewers tuned in to Fox's "American Idol" two-hour premiere on Wednesday, according to reports. One year ago, "Idol" pulled in around 22 million viewers, a significant 4 million less this season. In 2010, "Idol" scored nearly 30 million with its first broadcast. Season 12's premiere viewer numbers are considered the lowest for the show since its debuted in 2002.

"American Idol" airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8/7 p.m. Central on FOX.

Watch editied clips of Minaj and Carey's feud taken from the premiere episode of season 12.

 

Tags: American Idol mariah carey american idol Nicki Minaj