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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!

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...
Genre:Reality
Network:FOX

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 6/11/2002. This episode is rated 0.8 points higher than the second-best, "Hollywood Week".

  • Auditions
    5.2/1075 votes

    #1 - Auditions

    Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 6/11/2002

    A humorous debut for this hit reality show series. It showed three judges, which were Randy,Paula, and Simon, getting starting to search for the next American Idol. They went to different cities, in each one picking 30 to move on to the next round.Faced with some that were great preformers, or the most talentless people you've ever seen. In the end thouh, successfully they found over a 100 people for the next round.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Hollywood Week
    4.4/1058 votes

    #2 - Hollywood Week

    Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 6/12/2002

    After going through their first round, things start to heat up when the competion gets harder. Now the contestants have to learn routines, and sing/dance in groups of threes and fours. The judges will pick which ones in the group stay. They had to learn these routines in a couple of nights, sacrificing their resting time. There was no time to relax, they had to stay focused. Many were stressed, and forgot their lines, and didn't know what to do. This narrows the search down to fewer people.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • No Way Jim Moves On After That Performance. Right, Simon? Simon?
    4.2/1053 votes

    #3 - No Way Jim Moves On After That Performance. Right, Simon? Simon?

    Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 6/18/2002

    They sing. You vote. You decide. Brian Dunkleman and Ryan Seacrest host as group one performs for America. The fate of the 10 hopefuls rests in America's hands as only the Top 3 contestants move on. Performing tonight are Tamyra Gray, Jim Verraros, Adriel Herrera, Rodesia Eaves, Natalie Burge, Brad Estrin, Ryan Starr, Justinn Waddell, Kelli Glover, and Christopher Aaron.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Dewey Defeats Truman!
    4.4/1053 votes

    #4 - Dewey Defeats Truman!

    Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 6/19/2002

    The show is live and the votes are in! America will see which 3 contestants they voted for will move on to the final 10.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Army Of The Mediocre
    4.3/1050 votes

    #5 - Army Of The Mediocre

    Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 6/25/2002

    They sing. You vote. You decide. Brian Dunkleman and Ryan Seacrest host as Group Two performs for America. The fate of the 10 hopefuls rests in America's hands as only the Top 3 contestants move on. Performing tonight are Alexis Lopez, Gil Sinuet, Angela Peel, A.J. Gil, Tenia Taylor, Alexandra Bachelier, Jazmin Lowery, Jamar, Kelly Clarkson, and Justin Guarini.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Six Pack
    4.4/1053 votes

    #6 - Six Pack

    Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 6/26/2002

    The show is live and the votes are in! Three more contestants will advance to the Final 10. Watch to see who moves one step closer to becoming the American Idol.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Bad, The Even Worse and The Ugly
    4.3/1048 votes

    #7 - The Bad, The Even Worse and The Ugly

    Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 7/2/2002

    They sing. You vote. You decide. Brian Dunkleman and Ryan Seacrest host as Group Three performs for America. The fate of the last 10 hopefuls rests in America's hands as only the Top 3 contestants move on. Performing tonight are R.J. Helton, Kristin Holt, Mark Scott, Nikki McKibbin, Chris Badono, Melanie Sanders, Ejay Day, Tanesha Ross, Khaleef Chiles, and Christina Cristian.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Judge Fight!
    4.4/1050 votes

    #8 - Judge Fight!

    Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 7/3/2002

    The show is live and the votes are in! The final choices are revealed as the last three contestants advance to the Final 10. Watch to see who moves one step closer to becoming the American Idol.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Wild!
    4.4/1048 votes

    #9 - Wild!

    Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 7/10/2002

    10,000 auditioned... 121 made it to Hollywood... 30 sang for your vote and 9 are through to the next round. Tonight 5 Wild Cards return to sing again for the judges to decide LIVE which one will complete the Final 10. Tonight on American Idol, who will it be?

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Live Album!
    4.3/1052 votes

    #10 - The Live Album!

    Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 7/17/2002

    Last night American Idol rocked to Motown. The Top 10 finalists gave it their all. But tonight two dreams are about to come to an end. Two contestants with the lowest number of votes will be eliminated. Find out who America voted for.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Top 10 Results
    3.8/1049 votes

    #11 - Top 10 Results

    Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 7/16/2002

    Live in Hollywood! They have a new set, full orchestral arrangements, and a live studio audience. The theme is Motown and performing tonight are Ryan Starr, R.J. Helton, Nikki McKibbin, Ejay Day, Tamyra Gray, Justin Guarini, Jim Verraros, Kelly Clarkson, A.J. Gil, and Christina Cristian.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Pride Goeth Before The ‘Fro
    4.1/1048 votes

    #12 - Pride Goeth Before The ‘Fro

    Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 7/23/2002

    Tonight the Top 8 will perform live for the nation, vying for the American Idol title. The contestants will give it their all in hopes of winning America's vote and surviving another week. Who will play it safe and who will take the big risk? Their fate rests in your hands. Tonight's theme is the 1960's. Performing tonight are Tamyra Gray, Ryan Starr, Justin Guarini, Kelly Clarkson, A.J. Gil, Christina Christian, Nikki McKibbin, and R.J. Helton.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Clash of the Titanic Egos
    4.3/1051 votes

    #13 - Clash of the Titanic Egos

    Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 7/24/2002

    Last night, the Top 8 finalists performed hits from the 60's. Tonight, the show is live and the votes are in. Who will sing again next week and who will be sent home? The contestant receiving the fewest votes will be eliminated from the competition. Another dream is about to end. Find out who America voted for.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Big Time!
    4.3/1038 votes

    #14 - The Big Time!

    Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 7/30/2002

    Tonight the Top 7 will perform live for the nation, vying for the American Idol title. The contestants will give it their all in hopes of winning America's vote and surviving another week. Who will play it safe and who will take the big risk? Their fate rests in your hands. Tonight's theme is the 1970's. Performing tonight are Tamyra Gray, Ryan Starr, Justin Guarini, Kelly Clarkson, Christina Christian, Nikki McKibbin, and R.J. Helton.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Ryan-ara!
    4.2/1040 votes

    #15 - Ryan-ara!

    Season 1 Episode 15 - Aired 7/31/2002

    Last night, the Top 7 finalists performed hits from the 70's. Tonight, the show is live and the votes are in. Who will sing again next week and who will be sent home? The contestant receiving the fewest votes will be eliminated from the competition. Another dream is about to end. Find out who America voted for.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Jump, Jive and Fail!
    4.4/1040 votes

    #16 - Jump, Jive and Fail!

    Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 8/6/2002

    Tonight the Top 6 will perform live for the nation, vying for the American Idol title. The contestants will give it their all in hopes of winning America's vote and surviving another week. Who will play it safe and who will take the big risk? Their fate rests in your hands. Tonight's theme is Big Band. Performing tonight are Tamyra Gray, Justin Guarini, Kelly Clarkson, Christina Christian, Nikki McKibbin, and R.J. Helton.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
    4.0/1037 votes

    #17 - Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

    Season 1 Episode 17 - Aired 8/7/2002

    Last night, the Top 6 finalists performed hits from the Big Band era. Tonight, the show is live and the votes are in. Who will sing again next week and who will be sent home? The contestant receiving the fewest votes will be eliminated from the competition. Another dream is about to end. Find out who America voted for.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Five Alive (And An Assortment Of Other Bad Puns)
    4.3/1038 votes

    #18 - Five Alive (And An Assortment Of Other Bad Puns)

    Season 1 Episode 18 - Aired 8/13/2002

    Tonight the Top 5 will perform live for the nation, vying for the American Idol title. The contestants will give it their all in hopes of winning America's vote and surviving another week. Who will play it safe and who will take the big risk? Their fate rests in your hands. Tonight's theme is love songs. Performing tonight are Tamyra Gray, Justin Guarini, Kelly Clarkson, Nikki McKibbin, and R.J. Helton.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • RJ is Short for "Really Gone"
    4.5/1038 votes

    #19 - RJ is Short for "Really Gone"

    Season 1 Episode 19 - Aired 8/14/2002

    Last night, the Top 5 finalists performed love songs. Tonight, the show is live and the votes are in. Who will sing again next week and who will be sent home? The contestant receiving the fewest votes will be eliminated from the competition. Another dream is about to end. Find out who America voted for.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Two for Each One
    4.7/1039 votes

    #20 - Two for Each One

    Season 1 Episode 20 - Aired 8/20/2002

    Tonight the Top 4 will perform two songs live for the nation, vying for the American Idol title. The contestants will give it their all in hopes of winning America's vote and surviving another week. Who will play it safe and who will take the big risk? Their fate rests in your hands. Tonight's theme is the 80's and 90's. Performing tonight are Tamyra Gray, Justin Guarini, Kelly Clarkson, and Nikki McKibbin.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • What? Who? You're Sure now?
    4.1/1037 votes

    #21 - What? Who? You're Sure now?

    Season 1 Episode 21 - Aired 8/21/2002

    Last night, the Top 4 finalists performed two hits from the 80's and 90's. Tonight, the show is live and the votes are in. Who will sing again next week and who will be sent home? The contestant receiving the fewest votes will be eliminated from the competition. Another dream is about to end. Find out who America voted for.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Three Do Two
    4.5/1038 votes

    #22 - Three Do Two

    Season 1 Episode 22 - Aired 8/27/2002

    Tonight the Top 3 will each perform two songs live for the nation, vying for the American Idol title. The contestants will give it their all in hopes of winning America's vote and surviving one last week. Who will play it safe and who will take the big risk? Their fate rests in your hands. Tonight the contestants sing a song of their choice and a song the judges picked for them. Performing tonight are Justin Guarini, Kelly Clarkson, and Nikki McKibbin.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Two More
    4.6/1041 votes

    #23 - Two More

    Season 1 Episode 23 - Aired 8/28/2002

    Last night, the Top 3 finalists performed two songs. Tonight, the show is live and the votes are in. Who will sing again next week and who will go home? The contestant receiving the fewest votes will be eliminated from the competition. Another dream is about to end. Find out who America voted for to battle it out in next week's showdown.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Showdown!
    5.1/1055 votes

    #24 - Showdown!

    Season 1 Episode 24 - Aired 9/3/2002

    Kelly vs. Justin who will win?

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • EL FINALE!
    NaN/100 votes

    #25 - EL FINALE!

    Season 1 Episode 25 - Aired 9/4/2002

    The episode begins as usual, with the whole thing starting. They go behind the scenes for the first hour and the final 10 come back, sing for about half an hour, and then the question on everyone's mind since the series began, who is the american idol? And the winner is...

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A