5.2/1075 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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4.4/1058 votes#2 - 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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4.2/1053 votes#3 - Auditions
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 3/18/2018
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.
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4.4/1053 votes#4 - 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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4.3/1050 votes#5 - Auditions
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 3/25/2018
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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4.4/1053 votes#6 - 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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4.3/1048 votes#7 - Hollywood Week
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 4/1/2018
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.
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4.4/1050 votes#8 - 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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4.4/1048 votes#9 - 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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4.3/1052 votes#10 - Top 24 Celebrity Duets
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 4/9/2018
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.
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3.8/1049 votes#11 - Top 24 Solos
Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 4/15/2018
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. 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.
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4.1/1048 votes#12 - Top 24 Celebrity Duets
Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 4/16/2018
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.
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4.3/1051 votes#13 - Top 14
Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 4/22/2018
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.
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4.3/1038 votes#14 - Top 10 Reveal
Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 4/23/2018
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.
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4.2/1040 votes#15 - Disney Night
Season 1 Episode 15 - Aired 4/29/2018
American Idol heads to the happiest place on earth, Disneyland Parks and Resorts, then returns to the Idol stage with a sprinkle of magic to perform fan-favorite Disney songs.
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4.4/1040 votes#16 - 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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4.0/1037 votes#17 - Top 5
Season 1 Episode 17 - Aired 5/13/2018
In this episode in honor of Mother's Day, the Top 5 finalists will sing songs dedicated to moms, in addition to performing from the catalogue of American Idol alum and seven time GRAMMY® winner Carrie Underwood. The Top 5 finalists were surprised with a trip to Nashville and the opportunity to learn from Underwood while she served as superstar guest mentor for the week. Underwood will also perform her hit single, "Cry Pretty," which she co-wrote and co-produced, from the Idol stage on Sunday.
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4.3/1038 votes#18 - Performance Finals
Season 1 Episode 18 - Aired 5/20/2018
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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4.5/1038 votes#19 - 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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The Best Episodes of American Idol Season 1
Every episode of American Idol Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of American Idol Season 1!
The iconic series that revolutionized the television landscape by pioneering the music competition genre is back!
Genre:Reality
Network:ABC
Season 1 Ratings Summary
"Auditions" is the best rated episode of "American Idol" season 1. It scored 5.2/10 based on 75 votes. Directed by N/A and written by N/A, it aired on 3/11/2018. This episode is rated 0.8 points higher than the second-best, "Auditions".