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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

The iconic series that revolutionized the television landscape by pioneering the music competition genre is back!

Seasons8

  1. Background image for Finale
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #1 - Finale

    S7:E18

    No description available

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  2. Background image for 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  3. Background image for 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  4. Background image for Auditions (2)
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #4 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  5. Background image for Auditions (3A)
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #5 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  6. Background image for Auditions (4)
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #6 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of American Idol

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  8. Background image for Auditions (Part 4)
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #7 - Auditions (Part 4)

    S8:E4

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

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  9. Background image for Season Premiere: Auditions (Part 2)
    6.0/10(1 votes)

    #8 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  10. Background image for Auditions (Part 3)
    6.0/10(1 votes)

    #9 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  11. Background image for Auditions
    5.2/10(77 votes)

    #10 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  12. Background image for Auditions (1)
    5.2/10(77 votes)

    #11 - Auditions (1)

    S3:E1

    Hopefuls perform for the judges in Savannah, Ga.; Milwuakee, Wis.; Washington, D.C.; and Los Angeles; including a subway performer from Harlem, N.Y., a garbage collector and a hopeless romantic who encounters her own fairy-tale twist.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  13. Background image for Auditions (1)
    5.2/10(77 votes)

    #12 - Auditions (1)

    S4:E1

    The auditions begin in 3 California cities: Los Angeles, San Diego, and Ojai. Judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie return, along with host Ryan Seacrest.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  14. Background image for Grand Finale
    4.6/10(40 votes)

    #13 - Grand Finale

    S1:E19

    The winner of Season 1 of American Idol on ABC is finally crowned. Leading up to the big reveal with amazing performances by music superstars and legends, including our very own American Idol judges, the search for America's next superstar comes to a close.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  15. Background image for Grand Finale
    4.6/10(40 votes)

    #14 - Grand Finale

    S4:E19

    The top three finalists perform and the winner is announced; scheduled performers include Lindsey Buckingham, Alessia Cara, Luke Combs, Sheryl Crow, Fall Out Boy, Mickey Guyton, Chaka Khan, Leona Lewis and Macklemore.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  16. Background image for Auditions
    4.5/10(60 votes)

    #15 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  17. Background image for Auditions
    4.5/10(54 votes)

    #16 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  18. Background image for Auditions
    4.5/10(51 votes)

    #17 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  19. Background image for Hollywood Week
    4.5/10(54 votes)

    #18 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  20. Background image for Showcase & Final Judgment
    4.5/10(52 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  21. Background image for Top 24 Solos
    4.5/10(50 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  22. Background image for Top 7
    4.5/10(42 votes)

    #21 - Top 7

    S1:E16

    American Idol breaks more boundaries as the show pays tribute to music luminary Prince. The Top 7 take on the legendary Prince catalogue, paying homage to the late icon in a historic first-time tribute episode by a singing competition series. The tribute continues American Idol's longstanding relationship with the Prince family, following Prince's live performance on the show in 2006. Iconic musician Sheila E., who toured with Prince earlier in her career, performs with American Idol music director, Kris Pooley, and the house band for this special tribute.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  23. Background image for Performance Finals
    4.5/10(40 votes)

    #22 - Performance Finals

    S1:E18

    In part one of the two-night season finale, the Top 3 finalists visit their hometowns to celebrate their time on the show then return to the Idol stage for their last chance to win America's vote, as the search for America's next superstar continues.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  24. Background image for Auditions (2)
    4.5/10(60 votes)

    #23 - Auditions (2)

    S3:E2

    Aspiring singers from Savannah, Ga., Milwaukee, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and Sunriver, Ore. perform in hopes of earning a ticket to Hollywood.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  25. Background image for Auditions (4)
    4.5/10(54 votes)

    #24 - Auditions (4)

    S3:E4

    Idol heads to Savannah GA, Milwaukee WI, Washington D.C., Los Angeles CA, and Sunriver OR as the search for America’s next superstar continues.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  26. Background image for Auditions (5)
    4.5/10(51 votes)

    #25 - Auditions (5)

    S3:E5

    Auditions across Savannah GA, Milwaukee WI, Washington D.C., Los Angeles CA, and Sunriver OR come to an end with the final search for America’s next superstar.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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)".