Simon explains Idol's new rule

It didn't take long during Wednesday night's "American Idol" results show for host Ryan Seacrest to reveal what the big new twist on the show was.

Seacrest called out the names of Tamyra Gray, Michael Johns, Jennifer Hudson, and Chris Daughtry before announcing the "judges' save."

Seacrest explained that after the eliminations of those singers (and others), the show heard the outrage from fans.

"Whatever it was, America, you told us that they left the competition too early," Seacrest said.

So here are the details on the new rule: Until the top 5, the judges can save one contestant from elimination just once. It has to be unanimous and once they use the save, they cannot use it again the entire season. The week they use the save, no one will be eliminated. But the next week, two will go.

Judge Simon Cowell defended the move, saying it doesn't take away from the spirit of the competition.

"The whole point of this competition is America votes for who they want to save. If someone happens to be at the bottom and we think they deserve another chance, we're going to give them another chance," Simon said.

Seacrest suggested that "the night Chris Daughtry left, you could've brought him back and he could've gone on to win."

"Maybe," Simon said. "Depends how we feel that night."