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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Top Episode Ratings Summary
The best episode of "American Idol" is "Auditions", rated 5.2/10 from 75 user votes. It was directed by N/A and written by N/A. "Auditions" aired on 3/11/2018 and is rated 0.0 point(s) higher than the second highest rated, "Auditions (1)".
5.2/10 75 votes#1 - Auditions
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 3/11/2018
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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5.2/10 75 votes#2 - Auditions (1)
Season 2 Episode 1 - Aired 3/3/2019
Auditions in Louisville KY, Coeur d’Alene ID, Los Angeles CA, New York NY, and Denver CO.
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5.2/10 75 votes#3 - Auditions (1)
Season 3 Episode 1 - Aired 2/16/2020
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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5.2/10 75 votes#4 - Auditions (1)
Season 4 Episode 1 - Aired 2/14/2021
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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5.2/10 75 votes#5 - Auditions (1)
Season 5 Episode 1 - Aired 2/27/2022
Hopefuls perform for the judges in three cities.
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5.2/10 75 votes#6 - Auditions (1)
Season 6 Episode 1 - Aired 2/19/2023
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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5.2/10 75 votes#7 - Auditions, Part 1
Season 7 Episode 1 - Aired 2/18/2024
Viewers embark on a nationwide search across Los Angeles, Nashville and the judges' hometowns to find the next singing sensation.
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- 4.7/10 39 votes
#8 - Grand Finale
Season 5 Episode 20 - Aired 5/22/2022
The top three perform, and a winner is chosen; guest performers include Carrie Underwood, James Arthur, Sara Bareilles, Gabby Barrett, Michael Bublé, Deana Carter, Earth, Wind & Fire, Melissa Etheridge, Flo Rida, Ben Platt and more.
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- 4.7/10 39 votes
#9 - Season Finale
Season 6 Episode 20 - Aired 5/21/2023
The live coast-to-coast, three-hour season finale features special performances from music legends and today's top artists, with the Top 3 contestants taking the stage for the final time as America decides who will become the next American Idol.
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4.5/10 38 votes#10 - Grand Finale
Season 1 Episode 19 - Aired 5/27/2018
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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4.5/10 38 votes#11 - Grand Finale
Season 2 Episode 19 - Aired 5/19/2019
The second season rounds out with an epic grand finale event, featuring the Top 3 contestants. The crowning moment is preceded by special performances from music legends, including our own superstar judges, the return of fan-favorite contestants and a special visit by last season’s winner, Maddie Poppe.
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4.5/10 38 votes#12 - Grand Finale
Season 4 Episode 19 - Aired 5/23/2021
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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- 4.5/10 38 votes
#13 - Top 5
Season 5 Episode 19 - Aired 5/15/2022
The Top 5 contestants travel to Las Vegas to be mentored by Carrie Underwood; each contestant will perform two songs.
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- 4.5/10 38 votes
#14 - Journey to the Finale
Season 6 Episode 19 - Aired 5/15/2023
What does it take to become the next American Idol? Featuring never-before-seen footage of this season's finalists, this special episode takes a deeper look at the journeys from hometown to Hollywood for this season's contestants.
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4.4/10 58 votes#15 - Auditions
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 3/12/2018
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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4.4/10 53 votes#16 - Auditions
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 3/19/2018
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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4.4/10 53 votes#17 - Hollywood Week
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 3/26/2018
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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4.4/10 50 votes#18 - Showcase & Final Judgment
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 4/2/2018
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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4.4/10 48 votes#19 - Top 24 Solos
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 4/8/2018
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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4.4/10 40 votes#20 - Top 7
Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 5/6/2018
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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4.4/10 58 votes#21 - Auditions (2)
Season 2 Episode 2 - Aired 3/6/2019
Auditions in Coeur d’Alene ID, Louisville KY, and Los Angeles CA.
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4.4/10 53 votes#22 - Auditions (4)
Season 2 Episode 4 - Aired 3/17/2019
Auditions from Los Angeles CA, Louisville KY, New York NY, and Coeur d’Alene ID. Stories include a girl reuniting with her egg donor, a performance that Katy Perry shares as one of her favorite voices she has ever heard, an audition that makes Luke Bryan drop to the floor, and emotional family stories that will touch audiences across America.
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4.4/10 53 votes#23 - Hollywood Week (1)
Season 2 Episode 6 - Aired 3/24/2019
Tensions are high as this year’s crop of hopefuls battles it out in solo and group round performances from the famous stage of The Orpheum Theatre. Helping to guide them through the rigorous week is in-house mentor Bobby Bones. Don’t miss phenomenal performances from returning fan favorites, an emergency trip to the hospital in an ambulance, and a special moment when one lucky contestant receives a heartfelt gift from Luke Bryan.
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4.4/10 50 votes#24 - Showcase & Final Judgment
Season 2 Episode 8 - Aired 3/31/2019
The showcase round goes to Aulani, A Disney Resort in Ko Olina, Hawaii, where the show’s Top 40 contestants take to the beach for solo performances in front of a live audience and the judge panel. Afterward, the judges sit down with each contestant to reveal their fate, culminating with the show’s Top 20 finalists.
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4.4/10 48 votes#25 - Top 20 Solos
Season 2 Episode 9 - Aired 4/1/2019
The top 20 finalists perform in front of a live audience.
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