Nashville’s Keith Urban will have his hands full this season as he takes on the role of peacekeeper between divas Mariah Carey, left, and Nicki Minaj. Of course, the always outspoken Randy Jackson, far left, is never afraid to stir the pot. “American Idol†will premiere on Jan. 16. (photo: Todd Williamson / Invision / AP)
As “American Idol†prepares to return to television next week with three brand-new celebrity judges, all anyone can seem to talk about is the reported rivalry between newcomers Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj. As it turns out, that rivalry is very real, and nobody has a better — or worse — seat than the show’s other new judge, Nashville’s own Keith Urban.
Local fans got to see his plight first-hand Wednesday night, as “Idol†held a special sneak peek of season 12 at Regal Green Hills Cinema 16.
“I feel like a scratching post,†Urban said in one scene, banging his head on the judges table after sitting between one of Carey and Minaj’s spats.
Even with the friction, the new judging team appears to find a good rhythm, and Urban looks to be a valuable source of sanity, insight and comic relief.
“Idol†premieres bring in big ratings, not only from dedicated fans but also curious onlookers hoping to catch a few train-wreck auditions, and the show is certainly delivering this year. Wednesday’s audience howled at Urban’s stunned stare as a Justin Bieber wannabe stumbled over his dance steps.
But there’s plenty of talent on display, too. Lazaro Arbos, a 21-year-old contestant with a life-long stutter, wows the panel with a transcendent take on “Bridge Over Troubled Water,†for example.
As he appeared with his fellow judges and host Ryan Seacrest for a Q&A webcast on Wednesday, Urban said he admired the show’s power to expose unknown artists.
“I love creative people and I love what this show can do for people that otherwise are trying to find a way in. You guys out there know, people who sing or play, you’re just looking for a break. You’re just figuring out, ‘How can I get someone to listen to what I do?’ And this show does it — on steroids.â€
The new season of “American Idol†premieres at 7 p.m. Jan. 16 and 17 on Fox.
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http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2013/01/09/keith-urban-says-he-feels-like-a-scratching-post-on-american-idol/