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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!

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    American Idol Season 7 Episode 18 - Finale
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #1 - Finale

    S7:E18

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. American Idol Season 6 Episode 1 - Auditions (1)
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #2 - Auditions (1)

    S6:E1

    With help from superstar judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, viewers embark on a nationwide search across New Orleans, Las Vegas and Nashville to find the next singing sensation.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. American Idol Season 6 Episode 3 - Auditions (3)
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #3 - Auditions (3)

    S6:E3

    With help from superstar judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, viewers embark on a nationwide search across New Orleans, Las Vegas and Nashville to find the next singing sensation.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. American Idol Season 4 Episode 14 - Oscar Nominated Songs
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #4 - Oscar Nominated Songs

    S4:E14

    The top 12 contestants perform Oscar-nominated songs in hopes of securing America's vote into the top nine; Lionel Richie performs.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. American Idol Season 6 Episode 2 - Auditions (2)
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #5 - Auditions (2)

    S6:E2

    With help from superstar judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, viewers embark on a nationwide search across New Orleans, Las Vegas and Nashville to find the next singing sensation.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. American Idol Season 6 Episode 4 - Auditions (3A)
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #6 - Auditions (3A)

    S6:E4

    With help from superstar judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, viewers embark on a nationwide search across New Orleans, Las Vegas and Nashville to find the next singing sensation.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of American Idol

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  7. American Idol Season 6 Episode 5 - Auditions (4)
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #7 - Auditions (4)

    S6:E5

    With help from superstar judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, viewers embark on a nationwide search across New Orleans, Las Vegas and Nashville to find the next singing sensation.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. American Idol Season 8 Episode 4 - Auditions (Part 4)
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #8 - Auditions (Part 4)

    S8:E4

    Auditions continue as Luke, Lionel, Carrie and Ryan are wowed by exceptional talent and unforgettable performances.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. American Idol Season 8 Episode 2 - Season Premiere: Auditions (Part 2)
    6.0/10(1 votes)

    #9 - Season Premiere: Auditions (Part 2)

    S8:E2

    Luke, Lionel, Carrie and Ryan head to New York, Los Angeles and Nashville to jump-start auditions, where raw talent and unforgettable performances set the stage for the competition ahead.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. American Idol Season 8 Episode 3 - Auditions (Part 3)
    6.0/10(1 votes)

    #10 - Auditions (Part 3)

    S8:E3

    Luke, Lionel, Carrie and Ryan continue auditions in New York, Los Angeles and Nashville, where impressive competitors showcase their talents in fierce competition.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. American Idol Season 8 Episode 1 - Post Oscars: Auditions (Part 1)
    4.0/10(1 votes)

    #11 - Post Oscars: Auditions (Part 1)

    S8:E1

    Preview the new season as former "American Idol" winner Carrie Underwood joins Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan at the judges' table, bringing her music expertise to the next generation of talent vying for a shot at stardom. Ryan Seacrest hosts.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. American Idol Season 1 Episode 1 - Auditions
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #12 - Auditions

    S1:E1

    The nationwide search for the next superstar kicked off in August, as the Idol Bus traveled from Portland, Oregon, to Orlando, Florida, in its pursuit for talent, covering 23 cities across the country. Auditioning was made easier than ever as hopefuls also had the opportunity to submit audition videos online, as well as via select social media platforms using an official tag, #TheNextIdol, cultivating over 300,000 posts. Also, for the first time in “American Idol” history, hopefuls had the opportunity to audition through a livestream platform.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. American Idol Season 1 Episode 2 - Auditions
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #13 - Auditions

    S1:E2

    In episode two of auditions, Idol hopefuls, including a shoe salesman from Washington D.C., a construction worker from Southern California and a student from Louisiana, sing their hearts out for the judges to see if they have what it takes to earn a ticket to Hollywood.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. American Idol Season 1 Episode 3 - Auditions
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #14 - Auditions

    S1:E3

    American Idol heads to Los Angeles, Nashville, New York City and Savannah, as the search for America's next superstar continues. In episode three of auditions, Idol hopefuls, including a cattle farmer from Texas, twin teenagers from Southern California and a furniture salesman from Illinois, sing their hearts out for the judges to see if they have what it takes to earn a ticket to Hollywood.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. American Idol Season 1 Episode 4 - Auditions
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #15 - Auditions

    S1:E4

    American Idol heads to Los Angeles, Nashville, New Orleans and New York City, as the search for America's next superstar continues. In episode four of auditions, Idol hopefuls, including a teacher from Michigan, a construction worker from Alabama and a goat farmer from Oklahoma, sing their hearts out for the judges to see if they have what it takes to earn a ticket to Hollywood.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. American Idol Season 1 Episode 5 - Auditions
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #16 - Auditions

    S1:E5

    In episode five of auditions, Idol hopefuls, including a choreographer from Tennessee, a hostess from Colorado and a personal assistant from Alabama, sing their hearts out for the judges to see if they have what it takes to earn a ticket to Hollywood.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. American Idol Season 1 Episode 6 - Hollywood Week
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #17 - Hollywood Week

    S1:E6

    In this first episode of Hollywood Week, Idol hopefuls from across the country head to the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood to battle it out in solo and group performances, singing their hearts out in hopes of making it through to the showcase round.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. American Idol Season 1 Episode 7 - Hollywood Week
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #18 - Hollywood Week

    S1:E7

    In this second episode of Hollywood Week, Idol hopefuls from across the country gather at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood to battle it out in solo performances, singing their hearts out in hopes of making it through to the Showcase Round.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. American Idol Season 1 Episode 8 - Showcase & Final Judgment
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #19 - Showcase & Final Judgment

    S1:E8

    Idol hopefuls head to Exchange LA in downtown Los Angeles for the Showcase Round, where contestants perform solos in front of a live crowd and the judges. Following the performances, the judges sit down with each contestant for the Final Judgment and reveal which finalists made it through to the Top 24.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. American Idol Season 1 Episode 9 - Top 24 Solos
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #20 - Top 24 Solos

    S1:E9

    As the pool has been narrowed to the top 24 contestants, 12 of the top 24 finalists perform solos at Academy LA in Hollywood during this week in the competition, as the search for America's next superstar continues on its new home on America's network.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. American Idol Season 1 Episode 10 - Top 24 Celebrity Duets
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #21 - Top 24 Celebrity Duets

    S1:E10

    As the pool has been narrowed to the top 24 contestants, 12 of the top 24 finalists perform duets with celebrity partners at Academy LA in Hollywood during this week in the competition, as the search for America's next superstar continues on its new home on America's network.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. American Idol Season 1 Episode 11 - Top 24 Solos
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #22 - Top 24 Solos

    S1:E11

    As the pool has been narrowed to the top 24 contestants, 12 of the top 24 finalists perform solos at Academy LA in Hollywood during this week in the competition, as the search for America's next superstar continues. Nationally-syndicated host of iHeartMedia's "The Bobby Bones Show" and New York Times best-selling author Bobby Bones returns as a mentor for the top 24 contestants, meeting with each contender and helping them to reach the next level in their artistry and performances.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. American Idol Season 1 Episode 12 - Top 24 Celebrity Duets
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #23 - Top 24 Celebrity Duets

    S1:E12

    As the pool has been narrowed to the top 24 contestants, 12 of the top 24 finalists perform duets with celebrity partners at Academy LA in Hollywood during this week in the competition, as the search for America's next superstar continues.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. American Idol Season 1 Episode 13 - Top 14
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #24 - Top 14

    S1:E13

    After solo and celebrity duet performances with the Top 24 contestants, the judges narrowed down the field to the Top 14 finalists. Now the judges are handing over the reigns to America to start voting on who they want to crown the next Idol, as the search for America's next superstar continues.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. American Idol Season 1 Episode 14 - Top 10 Reveal
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #25 - Top 10 Reveal

    S1:E14

    America's overnight vote from Sunday will solidify the safety of the six contestants with the most votes. Those that are safe will perform a victory song, and the eight contestants who are in jeopardy will sing to impress the judges. The judges will choose four contestants to join America's top six picks, pushing 10 talented Idol hopefuls one step closer to stardom.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"Finale" is the best rated episode of "American Idol". It scored 10/10 based on 1 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 5/19/2024. This episode scored 1.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Auditions (1)".