Idol: Giraud Makes The Cut, Barely

American Idol hopeful Matt Giraud escaped elimination on Thursday's results show after a wait that must have felt like an eternity to the 23-year-old Kalamazoo, Mich. native.

While the judges praised his Wednesday performance of Marvin Gaye's Let's Get It On (Randy Jackson said he thought challenger for the top spot, while Simon Cowell praised his song selection), Giraud's low-vote total from a record-setting 36 million viewers put his fate on the show in jeopardy.

If the trend continues, Giraud may be the first contestant saved by a new rule that grants judges the right to veto eliminations based on low audience votes.