American Idol Results: The Judges Use the Save

American Idolis dipping into the well again.
On Thursday night, the reality show continued its "Back to the Start" theme by inviting alum Chris Daughtry back to the stage. Did he rock it? And who fell to the bottom?
American Idol: The Top 8 perform their audition songs

Daughtry does indeed rock the stage with his song "Waiting for Superman," which we assume is not about the 2010 public school system documentary of the same name. We kid. But actually, this is really good, and we get why he's had a career post-Idol. In that "Come on down!" game show host way, Ryan Seacrest announces each of the safe contestants. Yep, we're still digging this 30-minute format. SAFEDexterJenaJessicaAlexCalebBOTTOM 3MalayaSamCJ

Idol's Majesty thought her performance was "save-worthy"
People like Sam, but he's fallen to the bottom before. And, oh man! He's the one who has to sing for the save. I think Malaya and CJ were just as surprised and confused as we were. Ryan has to repeat that Sam needs to sing. We didn't see that one coming. We thought his "Lego House" last night -- all of those lamps! -- was pretty good.
Sam chooses to sing "Babylon," which has always felt snoozy. Will the judges use their save? They all believe in his talent, but his performance skills have always come up short.
It's unanimous: The judges use their save!!! (Yes, that warrants three exclamation points.) Enough confetti to block an alligator in a sewer rains down upon the stage. It's like Sam won or something, and maybe he has in a way. Take that, America!
Maybe this near-miss will light a fire in Sam's performance belly? We can only hope.
What did you think about the Bottom 3? Did Sam deserve to go home? Do you prefer the judges reserve their save for someone else?
American Idol airs Wednesdays at 8/7c and Thursdays at 9/8c on Fox.