American Idol Elimination: Did the Judges Use Their Save?

The rankings got shaken up on American Idol Thursday night, and tears were shed during the elimination. Did the judges use their save? Keep reading to find out.

After a so-so group performance of Queen's "Somebody to Love" opened the show (was it pure coincidence that they gave Lazaro the "I got no rhythm / I just keep losing my beat" line? Just wondering), Jimmy Iovine gave his critique of Wednesday night's performances. Suffice it to say, he was mostly unimpressed. According to Iovine, Burnell Taylor "gave rock a bad name" with his Bon Jovi cover, Lazaro Arbosmay have earned himself an elimination with his take on Queen, and Candice Glover and Janelle Arthur should have picked better songs.

Did America agree? Let's find out ... but not before performances from Idol alums Casey James (who sweetly brought all the Top 7 contestants something from their hometowns) and Carrie Underwood.

Check out all the performances from this week's Idol

Another interesting tidbit from the night: Each of the judges were asked to name their Top 3. (Minaj noted afterwards that she wasn't told the results would be shown to the public.) Keith Urban, Nicki Minaj and Randy Jacksonall chose Kree Harrison, Amber Holcomband Angie Miller, while Mariah Carey swapped Candice in in place of Angie.

But what did viewers think? Ryan Seacrestrevealed the Top 3 based on voting results, and the answer was ... yes, sort of. America's Top 3 were Kree, Angie and — wait for it — Lazaro. (The sympathy vote strikes again!)

The rest of the safe contestants: Candice, Amber and Janelle. Meaning Burnell was left to sing for the save. Did the judges use it?

TV Scorecard: What's renewed? What's canceled?

Nope. And it was a tearful goodbye as another guy bit the dust, with Mariah Carey and Candice Glover both turning on the waterworks.

What did you think? Should the judges have used their save? And were you surprised by the Top 3? Weigh in below!