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The Best Episodes of American Idol

Every episode of American Idol ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of American Idol!

The Best Episodes of American Idol

Each year, hopeful singers from all over the country audition to be part of one of the biggest shows in American television history. Who will...
  1. Background image for Auditions No. 2
    6.6/10(40 votes)

    #1 - Auditions No. 2

    S13:E2

    Hopefuls perform for the judges.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  2. Background image for 3 sing
    6.4/10(37 votes)

    #2 - 3 sing

    S3:E40

    Last week America eliminated George Huff, the last male contestant. Now it's up to the 4 diva's, Barrino, Degarmo, London, & Trias. They will battle it out for your votes to keep them in the competition. This Week's theme is Disco Night. Preforming Tonight is: Fantasia Barrino, Diana DeGarmo, LaToya London, Jasmine Trias

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  3. Background image for 12 Finalists Have Been Chosen
    6.1/10(34 votes)

    #3 - 12 Finalists Have Been Chosen

    S3:E20

    No description available

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  4. Background image for 7 sing!!
    6.1/10(41 votes)

    #4 - 7 sing!!

    S3:E30

    The 7 Idols compete to stay in the competition. This week's theme is: music of Barry Manilow.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  5. Background image for Elton John theme
    6.0/10(38 votes)

    #5 - Elton John theme

    S3:E26

    The field is narrowed down to 9 as the contestants battle it out hoping to stay in the competition. This weeks theme is:ELTON JOHN.

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    Director:Bruce Gowers
    Writer:Unknown
  6. Background image for 8 left to compete
    6.0/10(36 votes)

    #6 - 8 left to compete

    S3:E28

    The competition is down to 8 contestants. The theme is Movie Music Night.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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    The 20 WORST Episodes of American Idol

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  8. Background image for The Final 3 2004
    6.0/10(34 votes)

    #7 - The Final 3 2004

    S3:E39

    Ryan will sit down with the judges one on one to learn what they think about this season, and then Diana, Fantasia and Jasmine will sing one song each!

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  9. Background image for Fantasia Barrino vs. Diana DeGarmo
    6.0/10(54 votes)

    #8 - Fantasia Barrino vs. Diana DeGarmo

    S3:E43

    Ryan will sit down with the judges one on one to learn what they think about this season, and then Diana, Fantasia and Jasmine will sing one song each!

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  10. Background image for Auditions No. 3
    6.0/10(32 votes)

    #9 - Auditions No. 3

    S13:E3

    Hopefuls perform for the judges.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  11. Background image for Finally! Finalists!
    5.9/10(31 votes)

    #10 - Finally! Finalists!

    S3:E17

    Performing Tonight Susie Vulaca- Unbreak My Heart Heather Piccinini- New Attitude John Preator- That's What Love Is All About Tiara Purifoy- I Wanna Dance With Somebody John Stevens- She's Always A Woman Jasmine Trias- Run To You George Huff- Always & Forever Lisa Wilson- Come To My Window

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  12. Background image for Clay Aiken Returns
    5.9/10(34 votes)

    #11 - Clay Aiken Returns

    S3:E21

    No description available

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  13. Background image for Tamyra Gray returns
    5.9/10(42 votes)

    #12 - Tamyra Gray returns

    S3:E27

    One more contestants dreams of becoming the American Idol is crushed as he/she is voted off. Also Season 1's Tamyra Gray preforms her newest song "Raindrops Will Fall.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  14. Background image for Episode 1
    5.9/10(43 votes)

    #13 - Episode 1

    S13:E1

    No description available

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  15. Background image for Two Will Be Happy. Six Will Be Sad. Lots Will Be Watching.
    5.8/10(32 votes)

    #14 - Two Will Be Happy. Six Will Be Sad. Lots Will Be Watching.

    S3:E10

    The first two people to move on to the final group of 12 are... Diana DeGarmo! & Fantasia Barrino!

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  16. Background image for 1 Down 11 To Go
    5.8/10(35 votes)

    #15 - 1 Down 11 To Go

    S3:E22

    The remaining 11 contestants battle it out to stay in the competition.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  17. Background image for 6 perform
    5.8/10(26 votes)

    #16 - 6 perform

    S3:E32

    The 6 remaining Idols sing to stay in the competition. This week's theme is Latin Music.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  18. Background image for 6-1=5 is the result
    5.8/10(27 votes)

    #17 - 6-1=5 is the result

    S3:E33

    Johns Stevens is the next contestant to leave American Idol.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  19. Background image for American Idol: The Final Five 2004
    5.8/10(26 votes)

    #18 - American Idol: The Final Five 2004

    S3:E34

    We get intimate with the final 5 and hear them sing their favorite song from the season so far!

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  20. Background image for 5 Idols sing
    5.8/10(27 votes)

    #19 - 5 Idols sing

    S3:E35

    The 5 Idols sing to stay in the competition. This weeks theme is BIG BAND NIGHT.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  21. Background image for Uncut, Uncensored and Untalented
    5.7/10(32 votes)

    #20 - Uncut, Uncensored and Untalented

    S3:E15

    This special is dedicated to all of the contestants that didn't make it or were never seen. Included in this show is the now famous William Hung, who did "She Bangs," now somewhat of a 'celebrity.'

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  22. Background image for 10 Contestants sing
    5.7/10(26 votes)

    #21 - 10 Contestants sing

    S3:E24

    One contestant's hopes & dreams come to an end as one more is voted off. K-Lo (Kimberley Locke) returns to preform newest song "8th World Wonder".

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    Director:Bruce Gowers
    Writer:Unknown
  23. Background image for You're Going to Hollywood! (For a Little Bit, At Least.)
    5.6/10(33 votes)

    #22 - You're Going to Hollywood! (For a Little Bit, At Least.)

    S3:E7

    Now it's time for those 117 finalists to show their stuff, but not literally. After some bad lyrics to made up songs, MANY MANY MANY forgotten lyrics, and goofiness, the finalists are trimmed down to 87, as the search for the American Idol 2004 begins!

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  24. Background image for Auditions No. 5
    5.6/10(31 votes)

    #23 - Auditions No. 5

    S13:E5

    Hopefuls audition in Salt Lake City.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  25. Background image for The Road is to Hollywood! (Is Paved with Broken Dreams. And Asphalt.)
    5.5/10(26 votes)

    #24 - The Road is to Hollywood! (Is Paved with Broken Dreams. And Asphalt.)

    S3:E6

    Today's show is about the lost contestants that auditioned, but we never got to see...some pretty bad ones, i'm glad that we didn't see them at first...Ouch!

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  26. Background image for Soon There Will Be 10
    5.5/10(37 votes)

    #25 - Soon There Will Be 10

    S3:E23

    One contestant's hopes & dreams come to an end as one more is voted off. K-Lo (Kimberley Locke) returns to preform newest song "8th World Wonder".

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    Director:Bruce Gowers
    Writer:Unknown

Best Episodes Summary

"Auditions No. 2" is the best rated episode of "American Idol". It scored 6.6/10 based on 40 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 1/16/2014. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "3 sing".