“American Idol” fans have expressed their dismay with regard to a new rule introduced to the popular Fox singing competition that offers the panel the authority to rescue an act from elimination.

Numerous television critics have described the action, which gives judges the chance to save a singer just once throughout the series and on condition they unanimously agree, as “un-American.”

The program, which is now seeing its eighth season unfold, has launched the musical careers of well-known artists such as Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Jennifer Hudson.

Conventionally, “American Idol” contestants have been picked or dismissed by viewers’ vote alone. Therefore, the “Judges Save” move, which was announced earlier this week, is viewed as a deep-seated exit from the extremely successful viewer-controlled set-up of previous years.

Producers of the Fox show said the change had been designed in order to avoid situations such as the early departure of former contestant Jennifer Hudson, who became an acclaimed singer and actress and even won an Academy Award for her part in “Dreamgirls.”

Ratings for the current eighth season of “American Idol” have dropped, in spite of the fact that several modifications were made public in December. The changes included the return of the “wild card” round, which allows judges to save three semi-finalists from elimination, as well as the addition of a fourth judge, singer and songwriter Kara DioGuardi, who joined regular members of panel Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson.