'American Idol' producer claims Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey's feud isn't for ratings

If "American Idol" producer Nigel Lythgoe is to be believed, the feud between Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey is not a ratings ploy.

"I have no idea why I would be doing it [for ratings] five months before the show went out," he tells TMZ. "So they've got to realize I would only do anything for ratings a month before the show went out. They've got my timing wrong."

After news of the Minaj/Carey fight hit the web, many claimed that it was probably set up to boost interest in the show's upcoming season. Steven Tyler and Cee Lo Green in particular felt that it was done for ratings, with Green saying, "This is Hollywood, California. Hardly anything's legit."

As for Carey and Minaj, things seem to be better between the two pop stars. Even if there is some anger bubbling beneath the surface between the new judges, Lythgoe says he hasn't seen them having any problems recently.

"They were amicable that afternoon," he says. "And I think before anybody makes any judgments they should see the show."