The top-secret rule change that "American Idol" promised viewers was revealed in Wednesday night's results show. And it was less of a shakeup than expected.

Here's the scoop: The judges can "save" one contestant from elimination for just one week. And it must be a unanimous choice among the judges. If they save somebody from elimination on a given week, then no one gets eliminated that week, and two get eliminated the following week. And they can only save someone up until the Top 5 round.

They said they were doing it because we, the viewers, were disappointed with shocking eliminations in the past of people like Michael Johns last year and Chris Daughtry. I'm not sure this is that big a deal -- a one-week pass for a voted-out singer probably just forestalls the inevitable for a week. What do you think?

There is one good side-effect of the potential save that I address in the recap below.

Wednesday's show, meanwhile, was more interesting than most. There were video highlights of the Top 13 living in the "Idol Mansion," and pop heavyweights Kelly Clarkson (pictured at right) and Kanye West performed.

And, oh yeah, two of the Top 13 are winging it back to their respective hometowns after being given the boot.

Here's the recap as it happened:

"Welcome to ... American Idol!"

9:02: Ryan explains the rule twist.

9:05: Then they showed the finalists living in what appeared to be a commune (the "Idol Mansion"). This is what they talking out before the season when they said they would introduce a Real-World style living arrangement, with behind the scenes footage. Should be interesting.

9:07: The Top 13 performs a pretty decent medley of Michael Jackson songs.

9:12: Recap of Tuesday's performances.

9:15: The first Ford commercial of the season is unveiled, with the Idols singing Queen's "We Are the Champions."

9:17: Ryan asks Michael Sarver to stand up. He is safe. Allison Iraheta is asked to stand up. And she is safe too. So much for my prediction on that one. Jasmine Murray is addressed next. Ryan calls her down to the center of the stage. Matt Giraud is asked to stand up. He's safe too.

9:19: Kris Allen stands up. Ryan leaves him hanging and has Megan Corkrey stand up. Ryan calls Kris safe. Megan is asked to join Jasmine, and then Ryan says Jasmine is going home. So she's the first of the two to be sent home -- unless she's saved by the judges.

9:22: Randy says judges won't save Jasmine. It's interesting that they're asked to sing their departure song *before* they find out if the judges will save them. That means they won't be sobbing the whole time. Nice change.

9:29: It's Kanye West singing "Heartless." The crowd appears to enjoy it.

9:38: Scott MacIntyre is asked to stand up. Ryan says he is safe. Next up is Alexis Grace. Of course she is safe. Danny Gokey is asked to stand up next. And of course he too is safe. Oh boy, Anoop Desai is next. Ryan asks him to go to the center of the stage. Uh oh. Adam Lambert stands up. He's called safe. Jorge Nunez is asked to stand up. And he's left hanging. Lil Rounds is addressed next. Lil is safe and Jorge is asked to join Anoop at center of stage. One of them is going home. But it's time for a commercial break! Nooooooo!

9:45: Jorge and Anoop must wait as Kelly Clarkson is called out to the stage. Idol is having all the winners of previous seasons come on the show this season. She sings her new hit "My Life Would Suck Without You." If you listen to Top 40 radio, you've heard it a zillion times already -- or you will soon.

9:55: Ryan gives the word on Anoop and Jorge. Breathe easy folks, the popular Anoop is safe. Jorge gets to sing again before judges reveal whether to save him.

9:58: Simon gives the word quickly: They will not save Jorge. Bye, Jorge!

The results were not that surprising based on the reaction to performances last night. But it's interesting that with the new format of announcing the results, you only know who the two people with the fewest votes were, not a bottom three. Even though Megan and Anoop were put in the "spot of doom," it's not clear if they were actually the third and fourth to the bottom.

What did you think of Wednesday night's proceedings?