American Idol 8 "Twist" Theory: Judge Veto!

MJ from MJ's Big Blog just posted an interview of Ken Warwick the producer of American Idol on the Ryan Seacrest show this morning.

From MJ:

"Ken says the “new rule” that will be introduced tonight came about to solve a 'problem that’s been around since Season 1.' Ken says they tried the rule out in the French version of Idol first."

The speculation is that this is the "judge's veto" which can only used once in a season. The judges can save a contestant from elimination if they get voted off by the viewers.

I can see some merits to this rule. The American Idol "purists" will hate it -- 'What? Our votes don't count?' -- but it adds to the unexpected which is great.

If I was supporting someone who had a remote chance of winning, like Kris Allen for example: I can go into the elimination show with a bit more hope. Maybe Paula's hormones will kick into overdrive and she'll convince everyone to keep him. I think this aspect of this rule, more than saving someone from a "shock elim" is more compelling. Imagine if the judges use their veto to save Lil Rounds one week and them blam, Danny Gokey gets eliminated the next week -- with no veto in sight. Perfect.

I say bring it. American Idol is change you can believe in!