Welcome to Jukebox Jury, our new music debate show where experts face off and a jury of fans decides the winner.

THE CASE: Last week, American Idol returned with a whimper instead of the bang many had expected to see – a certain feud between new judges Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey. While the two divas certainly made headlines with their outburst on the Idol set, it wasn’t the best publicity look for each. Back when Paula Abdul judged Idol and The X Factor, it felt like an example of the old adage, “Those who can’t do, teach.” Now we’re seeing relevant chart-toppers judge reality singing competitions, bringing in upwards of $10 million per season. But can that type of exposure and level of commitment have negative effects on artists’ careers? Sometimes it works to further break artists in the mainstream (see: Maroon 5′s Adam Levine and Blake Shelton of The Voice), but other times it causes problems (see: Aerosmith threatening to drop Steven Tyler over his Idol stint).

THE EXPERTS:
Jillian Mapes, editor/producer at CBS’s Radio.com, former editor/Idol recapper at Billboard, Rolling Stone contributor
Jeff Benjamin, contributor to Fuse, Billboard, Rolling Stone, BuzzFeed, Popdust & more

THE JURY: A collective of dancers and entertainers who met through Culture Shock Dance Troupe

THE VERDICT: Watch to find out!

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN TO VOTE:

- Jillian Mapes, Radio.com