Idol Shocker! Simon Saves Matt

Thirty-six million American Idol viewers voted Matt Giraud off the show Wednesday, but he would live to sing another day.

After Giraud belted out Bryan Adams' "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?," the audience chanted "Save, save, save!" in hopes of swaying the panel.

It worked.

"Matt, Matt, Matt we've made a decision -- it's good news," Simon Cowell told the 23-year-old Michigan native, who bears a slight resemblance to actor Matt Dillon.

In typical Simon fashion however, the surly Brit told Giraud he didn't have a very good chance of winning the competition and would likely be singing his swan song next week.

Nonetheless, the mood was upbeat as, for one night, no one went home sad.

"Idol history has been made," host Ryan Seacrest said jubilantly. "Matt G. has been saved!"