Which Contestants from Past 'Idol' Seasons Should the Judges Have Saved?

Save the rocker. Save the diva. Save 'Idol.' Save the world?

'Idol' is notorious for its "shocking" results shows, but some contestants just plain go home too soon. Each season, one talented front-runner has failed to advance as far as the judges predicted, and the Judges' Save -- which allows for the 'Idol' judges to keep one eliminated contestant in the competition, despite America's having voted him or her off -- was created to solve that very problem.

Last season, it was used for pianist Matt Giraud, who ultimately placed fifth; last week, it came in handy for Michael Lynche, who must now try to avoid the dreaded double-elimination.

The rule was only introduced in season 8, but it would have been useful on 'Idol' during most prior seasons. Read on to see who we think the judges would have saved had the rule been in place from the start.Save the rocker. Save the diva. Save 'Idol.' Save the world?

'Idol' is notorious for its "shocking" results shows, but some contestants just plain go home too soon. Each season, one talented front-runner has failed to advance as far as the judges predicted, and the Judges' Save -- which allows for the 'Idol' judges to keep one eliminated contestant in the competition, despite America's having voted him or her off -- was created to solve that very problem.

Last season, it was used for pianist Matt Giraud, who ultimately placed fifth; last week, it came in handy for Michael Lynche, who must now try to avoid the dreaded double-elimination.

The rule was only introduced in season 8, but it would have been useful on 'Idol' during most prior seasons. Read on to see who we think the judges would have saved had the rule been in place from the start.

Season 1 - Tamyra Gray

'American Idol' started its first season off with the perfect winner: Kelly Clarkson. Only one other contestant, Tamyra Gray, matched Clarkson's abilities. Too bad she didn't come in second place.

Gray was shockingly eliminated fourth; and even though the Judges' Save can only be used from the Top 12 to the Top 5, Gray was the most obviously robbed contestant during season 1. Her beautiful rendition of 'A House Is Not A Home' showed she was a powerhouse to contend with.

If the save had been instituted during her season, Gray would have rightfully placed second to 'Idol' queen Clarkson.

Season 2 - Trenyce

Someone similar to Tamyra in style, season 2's Trenyce finished fifth on a season that gave us Clay Aiken. (Thanks?)

Though she had some seriously questionable fashion choices, her versions of 'Let's Stay Together' and 'The Power Of Love' garnered much praise from the judges.

Her elimination came before the less-deserving Josh Gracin and even eventual winner and 'Idol' punchline Ruben Studdard. (We'd keep the talented Kimberley Locke at third, of course.) However, had the save been used, Trenyce would have been in the final two with Aiken, seriously rewriting some infamous 'Idol' history.

Season 3 - Jennifer Hudson

Season 3 was plagued with super-talented diva types in the forms of LaToya London, winner Fantasia Barrino and Jennifer Hudson.

No one could have suspected that Hudson, although incredibly gifted vocally, would end up as one of the most successful Idols ever, especially after she was eliminated in seventh place.

Hudson went on to win an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in 'Dreamgirls,' seriously out-doing everyone from her season -- even the supremely talented Barrino -- as far as post-'Idol' success.

Had the Judges' Save been allowed, Hudson would have blown wimpy third-place finalist Jasmine Trias out of the water and bested big-voiced teen Diana DeGarmo. The finale would have been a diva-off between Barrino and Hudson.

Season 4 - Constantine Maroulis

Rockers dominated season 4, bookended by the long-haired duo of Bo Bice and Constantine Maroulis. The two may have ended up splitting the vote, though, and Maroulis was booted early in sixth place.

Had the Judges' Save been in place during that season, the judges would have undoubtedly used it on Maroulis. The greasy band frontman, who wowed the judges with his take on 'Bohemian Rhapsody,' was a hit with the ladies -- so after the scare of almost losing him, his fan base would have strengthened its power-voting.

Had he been saved, Maroulis could have trounced fellow contestants Scott Savol, Vonzell Solomon and Anthony Federov and probably placed third behind Bice and winner Carrie Underwood. 'Idol' could have even had its first all-rock finale.

Season 5 - Chris Daughtry

Chris Daughtry, who said he was inspired to audition by Bice's successful 'Idol' run, had the No. 1 selling album of 2007. Yet on 'Idol,' he was sent packing after only making it to fourth place.

The hard rocker was the favorite to win his season, delivering flawless performances -- like 'Hemorrage (In My Hands)' -- to the judges every week.

His elimination marked one of the first truly surprising boot-offs in 'Idol' history and stirred controversy over whether the votes for that night had been accurately counted.

The stunned judges would have used their save on Daughtry, who would have gone on to rightfully win his season of 'Idol.' Taylor Hicks, who?

Season 6 - Melinda Doolittle

All season long, the judges pimped Melinda Doolittle as the one to beat. So when she was sent home in third place instead of with the 'Idol' crown, America was stunned.

The season 6 finale, which was supposed to be a diva showdown between Jordin Sparks and Doolittle, was interrupted by beat-boxer Blake Lewis, who ultimately stole Doolittle's spot in the final two.

Had the judges been able to save her, Doolittle would still have come in second place to teen sensation Sparks, but her placement would have been more deserved talent-wise than Lewis, with his questionable singing abilities. Honorable mention here goes to Chris Richardson, who was also booted too soon in favor of Lewis. (Why?!)

Season 7 - Michael Johns

Singing 'Bohemian Rhapsody' must be the kiss of death on 'Idol,' because hot Aussie front-runner Michael Johns was also kicked off way too early.

Though he was a fan favorite, Johns' rugged good looks and rough, sexy vocals only earned him eighth place on his season. He was unfairly beat out by the likes of patriotic country warbler Kristy Lee Cook and dreadlock-ed bumbler Jason Castro.

His early elimination was surprising in the same way Daughtry's was, and was similarly attributed to a fan base so overly confident in John's safety that it didn't vote enough.

Had Johns been saved by the judges, he could have easily surpassed Lee Cook, Castro, and Brooke White to finish in at least fourth place -- maybe even making it to the finale with BFF David Cook.