Idol Chatter & Voice Views

The most controversial of the new American Idol judges showed up on The View Monday.

Nicki Minaj showed no indication of toning down her dress for a daytime national TV audience, showing up in blue and white striped tights, a bright red coat and matching cap, and a belly and cleavage baring top.

But folks worried about her littering the airwaves with language that runs afoul of the family friendly nature of American Idol will be happy to know Nicki had her verbal filter firmly in place, stopping herself short the only time she seemed inclined to use the “b” word.

She revealed little about Idol except to say things are going “pretty good” and saying she knew Mariah and Randy pre-Idol.

What did Miss Outrageous say …

When asked if she selected her own outfits, she said “she’s notorious for picking everything out. I like to be in control of everything.”

She said young girls need to be confident enough to be themselves, even if it isn’t perceived to be the coolest way to be at the moment. “If it’s something I do, you don’t have to love it. Don’t do it.”

That she loves education and ambition. “I’m potty mouth and all that crazy stuff, but I’m also very realistic in telling (fans) I worked hard for what I have and if you want to be successful you have to work hard. I don’t like when girls depend on men. I’m really big on that.”

Oh, and about being afraid of showing too much skin because young children might be watching … “Five- and 6-year olds need to be parented by their parents. I’m not their parent. But I love children.”

Bottom line: Miss Outrageous wasn’t very outrageous.

Honestly, I’m a little surprised at the negative reaction to her being named an Idol judge. A reaction that was reinforced by the fans I spoke with Sunday at the Bucky Covington concert.

Now I’m by no means a huge fan of Nicki Minaj’s music. But I figure she’s every bit as talented as Jennifer Lopez. Plus a lot more current. Plus she won’t need to rely on a TV show to pull her career out of a trash heap.

And I figure I’ll let her judge before I judge her. If she’s engaged in what’s happening on stage, honest in her critiques and creative in expressing her opinions … well, Idol will have made an upgrade.

I’m hoping that Nicki brings an edge to the show that prompts Mariah Carey and Keith Urban to be a little edgier than they might otherwise be. And keeps me entertained to the point where I won’t care that she’s followed by Randy Jackson, who’s bound to say something I’ve heard a million times.

As for the anti-Nicki faction … folks, Steven Tyler didn’t exactly show up on Idol with the most wholesome image. As for foul language, he earned a cuss stick early on and never did learn to control his mouth.

And Nicki’s going to have to get pretty outrageous to be as tasteless as our family friendly Idol was in last year’s finale.

Remember the expletive-filled Steven Tyler love shack segment, complete with girls clad as Playboy bunnies and a visit to a room bearing a sign that read: “All who enter must surrender the booty?”

I do.

It’s but one reason I say good riddance to Jennifer and Steve. And welcome aboard Mariah, Keith and, yes, Nicki.