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The Best Episodes of American Idol Season 12

Every episode of American Idol Season 12 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of American Idol Season 12!

Binge this in 1d 11h•Peaking at 5.8/10

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 become the new American Idol?

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    American Idol Season 12 Episode 1 - New York City, NY Auditions
    5.6/10(66 votes)

    #1 - New York City, NY Auditions

    S12:E1

    Hopefuls perform for the judges in New York.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. American Idol Season 12 Episode 2 - Chicago, IL Auditions
    5.6/10(46 votes)

    #2 - Chicago, IL Auditions

    S12:E2

    Hopefuls perform for the judges in Chicago..

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. American Idol Season 12 Episode 3 - Charlotte, NC Auditions
    5.6/10(39 votes)

    #3 - Charlotte, NC Auditions

    S12:E3

    Hopefuls perform for the judges in Charlotte.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. American Idol Season 12 Episode 4 - Baton Rouge, LA Auditions
    5.2/10(46 votes)

    #4 - Baton Rouge, LA Auditions

    S12:E4

    Hopefuls perform for the judges in Baton Rouge.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. American Idol Season 12 Episode 5 - San Antonio, TX & Los Angeles, CA Auditions
    5.2/10(41 votes)

    #5 - San Antonio, TX & Los Angeles, CA Auditions

    S12:E5

    Hopefuls perform for the judges in San Antonio, TX & Los Angeles, CA.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. American Idol Season 12 Episode 6 - Oklahoma City, OK Auditions
    5.8/10(42 votes)

    #6 - Oklahoma City, OK Auditions

    S12:E6

    Hopefuls perform for the judges in Oklahoma City.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. American Idol Season 12 Episode 7 - Hollywood Round, Part 1
    5.0/10(33 votes)

    #7 - Hollywood Round, Part 1

    S12:E7

    The contestants who impressed the judges in their respective audition cities will head to Hollywood, where some dreams will come true and others will come to an end. The intensity of the competition heats up as hopefuls chosen from around the nation vie for a coveted semifinalist spot.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. American Idol Season 12 Episode 8 - Hollywood Round, Part 2
    4.4/10(34 votes)

    #8 - Hollywood Round, Part 2

    S12:E8

    The tough Hollywood Round continues, as judges Mariah Carey, Randy Jackson, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban narrow down the contestants. Some will leave with shattered dreams, others will move on in the competition.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. American Idol Season 12 Episode 9 - Hollywood Round, Part 3
    4.6/10(34 votes)

    #9 - Hollywood Round, Part 3

    S12:E9

    The ultimate singing stage test resumes in Hollywood as the contestants vie for a coveted spot in the semifinals.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. American Idol Season 12 Episode 10 - Hollywood Round, Part 4
    4.9/10(33 votes)

    #10 - Hollywood Round, Part 4

    S12:E10

    In the final Hollywood episode, the judges reveal the Top 40 contestants - 20 guys and 20 girls - who remain in the competition. These contestants will travel to Las Vegas in hopes of impressing the judges one more time. See which contestants shine and which ones crack under the pressure.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. American Idol Season 12 Episode 11 - Semifinalist Round, Part 1 -- Girls Perform
    4.5/10(30 votes)

    #11 - Semifinalist Round, Part 1 -- Girls Perform

    S12:E11

    Ten female semifinalists perform in Las Vegas.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. American Idol Season 12 Episode 12 - Semifinalist Round, Part 2 -- Guys Perform
    4.8/10(31 votes)

    #12 - Semifinalist Round, Part 2 -- Guys Perform

    S12:E12

    Ten male semifinalists perform in Las Vegas.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. American Idol Season 12 Episode 13 - Semifinalist Round, Part 3 -- Girls Perform
    4.2/10(27 votes)

    #13 - Semifinalist Round, Part 3 -- Girls Perform

    S12:E13

    Ten female semifinalists perform in Las Vegas.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. American Idol Season 12 Episode 14 - Semifinalist Round, Part 4 -- Guys Perform
    3.8/10(28 votes)

    #14 - Semifinalist Round, Part 4 -- Guys Perform

    S12:E14

    Ten male semifinalists perform in Las Vegas

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. American Idol Season 12 Episode 15 - 1st 10 Semifinalists Perform - LIVE
    4.4/10(29 votes)

    #15 - 1st 10 Semifinalists Perform - LIVE

    S12:E15

    Ten singers perform in Las Vegas.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. American Idol Season 12 Episode 16 - 2nd 10 Semifinalists Perform - LIVE
    4.1/10(27 votes)

    #16 - 2nd 10 Semifinalists Perform - LIVE

    S12:E16

    Ten more singers perform.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. American Idol Season 12 Episode 17 - Finalists Announced
    4.2/10(27 votes)

    #17 - Finalists Announced

    S12:E17

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. American Idol Season 12 Episode 18 - Top 10 Perform -- Live
    4.4/10(31 votes)

    #18 - Top 10 Perform -- Live

    S12:E18

    The top 10 finalists perform songs that have been performed by previous Idols.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. American Idol Season 12 Episode 19 - Top 10 Results Show
    4.1/10(26 votes)

    #19 - Top 10 Results Show

    S12:E19

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. American Idol Season 12 Episode 20 - Finalists Compete
    3.9/10(26 votes)

    #20 - Finalists Compete

    S12:E20

    The top nine take on songs from The Beatles (John Lennon/Paul McCartney Songbook).

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. American Idol Season 12 Episode 21 - Results Show
    4.6/10(27 votes)

    #21 - Results Show

    S12:E21

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. American Idol Season 12 Episode 22 - Top 8 Perform
    4.8/10(33 votes)

    #22 - Top 8 Perform

    S12:E22

    The finalists perform music from Detroit, particularly from the Motown era, for the judges. Smokey Robinson mentors the contestants.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. American Idol Season 12 Episode 23 - Results Show
    4.8/10(29 votes)

    #23 - Results Show

    S12:E23

    The contestants face elimination. Colton Dixon performs; OneRepublic featuring Katharine McPhee performs; Keith Urban performs.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. American Idol Season 12 Episode 24 - Finalists Compete
    4.1/10(25 votes)

    #24 - Finalists Compete

    S12:E24

    The top 7 finalists perform classic rock songs.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. American Idol Season 12 Episode 25 - Results Show
    4.5/10(27 votes)

    #25 - Results Show

    S12:E25

    The contestants face elimination. Carrie Underwood performs; Casey James performs.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Season 12 Ratings Summary

"New York City, NY Auditions" is the best rated episode of "American Idol" season 12. It scored 5.6/10 based on 66 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 1/16/2013. This episode is rated 0.0 points higher than the second-best, "Chicago, IL Auditions".