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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 Finalists Chosen
    7.4/10(68 votes)

    #1 - Finalists Chosen

    S10:E15

    The results are in and the Top 24 are going to be cut down to 13 tonight. This is the most cut at this point in the competition and all hopefuls are nervous. Who has made the cut to be part of America's Top 10 and the 3 Wildcard spots? Jennifer Lopez's new music video is also premiered.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  2. Background image for Winner Is Crowned
    7.2/10(110 votes)

    #2 - Winner Is Crowned

    S6:E41

    On tonight’s exciting performance show, the last of the season, the final two contestants, Blake Lewis, & Jordin Sparks will battle it out live at the famed Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. Your votes decide which one will be the next American Idol and which one will be the Runner-Up. Tonight's Themes Are: One song they have performed previously; a new song of their own choosing; and the winning song from this season's songwriting competition.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  3. Background image for 9 Finalists Compete
    6.8/10(57 votes)

    #3 - 9 Finalists Compete

    S10:E24

    The contestants perform songs from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, accompanied by guitarist Jeff Beck.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  4. Background image for Auditions No. 1: Savannah
    6.8/10(59 votes)

    #4 - Auditions No. 1: Savannah

    S11:E1

    Television's No. 1 series returns for its highly anticipated 11th season with brand new contestants, a superstar judging panel and the best and worst of auditions. Host Ryan Seacrest and judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler traveled across the country to Charleston & Savannah where the good, the bad and the outrageous auditioned for their shot at stardom. This season promises to deliver the most talented group of singers yet and as always, it's up to the viewers to root and vote for their favorite contestants, ultimately crowning the next American Idol.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  5. Background image for Final Performance Round
    6.8/10(57 votes)

    #5 - Final Performance Round

    S11:E39

    The two finalists perform in Part 1 of the two-part Season 11 finale. Jason Derulo and Scotty McCreery perform. From the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  6. Background image for 1 of 4 Voted Off
    6.7/10(55 votes)

    #6 - 1 of 4 Voted Off

    S11:E36

    A finalist is eliminated in a results show. Jennifer Lopez and David Cook perform.

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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 Auditions #1
    6.6/10(37 votes)

    #7 - Auditions #1

    S14:E1

    No description available

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  9. Background image for Auditions No. 2: New Orleans
    6.5/10(58 votes)

    #8 - Auditions No. 2: New Orleans

    S10:E2

    As the old saying goes, be careful what you wish for. After many viewers (yours truly included) complained that American Idol's Season 10 premiere on Wednesday didn't offer anything remarkably different from past seasons, Thursday's episode gave us something we've never seen before: Randy Jackson's bare stomach. I'm pretty sure that's not what any of us were hoping for. So, what had Randy (and Steven!) taking off their clothes? And which New Orleans singers gave J. Lo goose bumps and moved her to tears? Let's find out....

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  10. Background image for Final Judgment, Part 2
    6.3/10(49 votes)

    #9 - Final Judgment, Part 2

    S11:E13

    The judges unveil the remaining semifinalists.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  11. Background image for Finalists Compete
    6.2/10(62 votes)

    #10 - Finalists Compete

    S10:E16

    Casey Abrams, Lauren Alaina, James Durbin, Thia Megia, Haley Reinhart, Karen Rodriguez, Pia Toscano, Jacob Lusk, Scott McCreery, Paul McDonald, Ashthon Jones, Stefano Langone and Naima Adedapo are up for the spot of American Idol as the Top 13 perform for the spot into the next round. Who will show that they can sing the best?

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  12. Background image for 1 of 11 Voted Off
    6.2/10(60 votes)

    #11 - 1 of 11 Voted Off

    S11:E20

    One singer is cut from the competition in a results episode. Daughtry perform.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  13. Background image for Semifinalist Girls Perform
    6.1/10(50 votes)

    #12 - Semifinalist Girls Perform

    S11:E15

    The female semifinalists perform.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  14. Background image for Auditions No. 2
    6.1/10(30 votes)

    #13 - Auditions No. 2

    S14:E2

    Hopefuls try to impress the judges as auditions continue.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  15. Background image for Auditions No. 1: New York/New Jersey
    6.0/10(58 votes)

    #14 - Auditions No. 1: New York/New Jersey

    S10:E1

    The talent contest opens Season 10 with auditions in New York and New Jersey.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  16. Background image for 8 Finalists Compete
    6.0/10(40 votes)

    #15 - 8 Finalists Compete

    S10:E26

    The eight remaining contestants perform songs from movies.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  17. Background image for 1 of 13 Voted Off
    6.0/10(39 votes)

    #16 - 1 of 13 Voted Off

    S11:E18

    One finalist is eliminated in a results episode. The performers are Mary J. Blige and Lauren Alaina.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  18. Background image for Auditions No. 3: Milwaukee
    5.9/10(55 votes)

    #17 - Auditions No. 3: Milwaukee

    S10:E3

    The American Idol audition train rolled on to Milwaukee, which served up yet another batch of really young youngsters, a few more impressive standouts and the most ridiculous auditions we've seen thus far. But while watching and judging the wannabes, some interesting things happened to the judging panel: Steven Tyler became an even more inappropriate softie, Jennifer Lopez finally looked comfortable crushing people's dreams and Randy Jackson ... actually said something smart? So which singers inspired these changes?

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  19. Background image for Auditions No. 4: Nashville
    5.9/10(44 votes)

    #18 - Auditions No. 4: Nashville

    S10:E4

    The auditions continue from Nashville, TN on the new season of American Idol as the judges continue their quest to find the next singing superstar.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  20. Background image for Winner Announced
    5.9/10(68 votes)

    #19 - Winner Announced

    S10:E39

    The top-13 finalists reunite on stage; the winner is announced.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  21. Background image for Showcase No. 1
    5.9/10(30 votes)

    #20 - Showcase No. 1

    S14:E13

    The contestants perform in a showcase at the House of Blues; some of the contestants learn their fate.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  22. Background image for Top 6 Results
    5.8/10(53 votes)

    #21 - Top 6 Results

    S6:E35

    Tonight, Bon Jovi mentors the contestants before they sing songs by the legendary rock band in hopes of winning America’s vote and surviving another week in the competition. Tonight's Theme is: Bon Jovi songs

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  23. Background image for Auditions No. 7: San Francisco, CA
    5.8/10(44 votes)

    #22 - Auditions No. 7: San Francisco, CA

    S10:E7

    The auditions continue from San Francisco, CA on the new season of American Idol as the judges continue their quest to find the next singing superstar.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  24. Background image for Hollywood Round, Part 4
    5.8/10(39 votes)

    #23 - Hollywood Round, Part 4

    S10:E11

    The 61 contestants are going to have to sing the Beatles to show that they have what it takes to handle the pressure of the competition. A lot happens in the 2 hour show. A contestant gets married, hearts are broken and one judge doesn't know if it is possible to continue to tell people the bad news that they didn't make it through. Some of the Top 24 are revealed.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  25. Background image for 7 Finalists Compete
    5.8/10(38 votes)

    #24 - 7 Finalists Compete

    S10:E28

    The remaining contestants perform songs from the 21st century.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  26. Background image for Performance Challenge
    5.8/10(39 votes)

    #25 - Performance Challenge

    S11:E11

    A performance round is held in Las Vegas.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

Best Episodes Summary

"Finalists Chosen" is the best rated episode of "American Idol". It scored 7.4/10 based on 68 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 3/3/2011. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "Winner Is Crowned".