Wild-card, that is -- the judges took over the infamous round that gives former castoffs a second chance and brought back Anoop Desai, Matt Giraud, Tatiana Del Toro.
Following Wednesday night's elimination round, which sent Lil Rounds,
Scott MacIntyre and Jorge Nu?ez into the top 12, the judges took turns picking the returning singers who will fight it out for the final three stools in the top 12.
"Historically, this process enabled people like Jennifer Hudson and Clay Aiken to make it into the 12," Simon Cowell said, explaining why the judge-certified round was brought back after a four-season absence.
"If we didn't have a wild-card pick they wouldn't have made it," Cowell said. "Certain people we think made stupid song choices, or they were just in a tough group, so we totally, totally support this system. I think it's fair, and it gives somebody, a few people, a second shot. And you know what? One of these wild-card picks could actually win this show."
The picks were a team effort, and Cowell said that even during the final break before the announcement, they changed their minds once again.
http://www.hollywood.com/news/American_Idol_Gone_Wild/5407926
