Idol Chatter & Voice Views

The rule that will “change the face of the competition” on American Idol in 2009 has been revealed.

For one time, and one time only this season … and for who knows how many seasons to come … the judges will be able to save the lowest vote-getter from elimination.

Call it veto power.

Not quite presidential, perhaps. But pretty darn powerful considering the millions of viewers who will be looking on.

Presumably, this will save a really talented performer from getting the boot because of one lackluster performance, one round of harsh criticism from the Idol judges or one week of voter indifference.

I mean, there have been shocking eliminations before.

Take just last year, when Michael Johns finished eighth, behind Kristy Lee Cook and Carly Smithson.

Take season five, when Chris Daughtry finished fourth; season four, when Constantine Maroulis finished sixth; or way back in season three when now-Grammy winner Jennifer Hudson finished seventh.

With veto power in hand, the judges could have saved each of those contestants, for at least one more week.

Ryan called it the judges’ save. It must be unanimous. If I understood Ryan, it can’t be used after the field has been narrowed to five (so it might not have saved Daughtry). And, most importantly, it can be used only once.

Does the rule change make sense?

Well, it will add a sense of suspense to the competition, and that’s never a bad thing for a TV show in its eighth season. Heck, I find this a whole lot less offensive than the changes Idol made to the semifinal round this season.

Does the rule “change the face of the competition?”

Well, let’s review.

Would the inconsistent Michael Johns have wound up beating out David Cook? Doubtful.

Constantine Maroulis over Carrie Underwood? You’re kidding, right?

Jennifer Hudson over Fantasia? Give me a break.

Chris Daughtry over Taylor Hicks … that’s a tougher one. Truth is Daughtry and Kellie Pickler, the sixth-place finisher in season five, have both been more popular recording artists than that year’s finalists, Taylor and Kat McPhee.

But a rocker of Daughtry’s ilk was probably better off finishing fourth. Rocker and American Idol? Did Daughtry really want to wind up with his arm around Minnie Mouse at the grand opening of The Idol Experience? Don’t think so.

So what does this mean in season eight?

Pretty simple really, based on what we’ve seen so far.

Voters will have to eliminate judge favorite Danny Gokey twice before handing the 2009 Idol crown to Adam Lambert.