The Best Episodes of American Idol Season 5

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   3.6/10(40 votes)

   #1 - Auditions #1 (Chicago, IL)

   S5:E11/17/2006

   The best and worst of auditions starting in Chicago, IL.

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

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2. 

   4.4/10(40 votes)

   #2 - Auditions #2 (Denver, CO)

   S5:E21/18/2006

   The best and worst of auditions from Denver, CO.

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Unknown

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3. 

   3.7/10(38 votes)

   #3 - Auditions #3 (Greensboro, NC)

   S5:E31/24/2006

   The best and worst of auditions from Greensboro, NC.

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Unknown

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4. 

   4.1/10(42 votes)

   #4 - Auditions #4 (San Francisco, CA)

   S5:E41/25/2006

   The best and worst of auditions from San Francisco, CA

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

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5. 

   4.0/10(39 votes)

   #5 - Auditions #5 (Las Vegas, NV)

   S5:E51/31/2006

   The best and worst of auditions from Las Vegas, NV.

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

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6. 

   3.8/10(39 votes)

   #6 - Auditions #6 (Austin, TX)

   S5:E62/1/2006

   The best and worst of auditions from Austin, TX.

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

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7. 

   3.7/10(38 votes)

   #7 - Auditions #7 (Boston, MA)

   S5:E72/7/2006

   The best and worst of auditions from Boston, MA

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

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8. 

   4.8/10(45 votes)

   #8 - Hollywood Round #1

   S5:E82/8/2006

   Contestants chosen from around the nation arrive in Hollywood for their big chance at the American Idol crown. Faced with a grueling schedule, pressure-packed rehearsals and the judges’ criticism, some will survive and more will go home.

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Unknown

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9. 

   4.5/10(45 votes)

   #9 - Hollywood Round #2

   S5:E92/14/2006

   Contestants chosen from around the nation endure a grueling rehearsal schedule and pressure-packed auditions as they vie for a coveted spot in the Top 24.

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Unknown

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10. 

    5.4/10(45 votes)

    #10 - Hollywood Round #3

    S5:E102/15/2006

    Contestants chosen from around the nation have endured the grueling schedule and high-pressure auditions of the Hollywood Round, hoping to impress the judges and secure one of the 24 semifinalist spots. Tonight the judges make their final cuts to determine the Top 24. The Top 12 males and Top 12 females will be revealed tonight

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Unknown

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11. 

    4.3/10(39 votes)

    #11 - Performance Show Females #1 (top 12)

    S5:E112/21/2006

    Of the 24 semifinalists chosen last week, the Top 12 girls will perform for America for the first time. Then it’s up to the viewers to vote for their favorites. Who will survive and who will go home? Performing tonight are: Ayla Brown Becky O'Donohue Brenna Gethers Heather Cox Katharine McPhee Kellie Pickler Kinnik Sky Lisa Tucker Mandisa Melissa McGhee Paris Bennett Stevie Scott

    Director:Bruce Gowers

    Writer:Simon Fuller

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    Director:Bruce Gowers

    Writer:Simon Fuller
12. 

    4.9/10(48 votes)

    #12 - Top 12 Men Perform

    S5:E122/22/2006

    Of the 24 semifinalists chosen last week, the Top 12 boys will perform for America for the first time. Then it’s up to the viewers to vote for their favorites. Who will survive and who will go home? Performing Tonight are: Ace Young Bobby Bennett Bucky Covington Chris Daughtry David Radford Elliott Yamin Gedeon McKinney Jose "Sway" Penala Kevin Covais Patrick Hall Taylor Hicks Will Makar

    Director:Bruce Gowers

    Writer:Simon Fuller

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    Director:Bruce Gowers

    Writer:Simon Fuller
13. 

    5.0/10(48 votes)

    #13 - and then there were 20...

    S5:E132/23/2006

    The 24 semifinalists performed for America this week, and the viewers have determined their fate. Tonight, four contestants – two males and two females – will go home, leaving 20 finalists vying for the American Idol crown. Will your favorites return?

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Unknown

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14. 

    4.7/10(40 votes)

    #14 - Top 10 Women Perform

    S5:E142/28/2006

    Having survived last week’s competition, the Top 10 girls perform again for America. After the show, the viewers will vote for their favorites. Who will keep singing, and who will go home? Performing tonight are Ayla Brown, Brenna Gethers, Heather Cox, Katharine McPhee, Kellie Pickler, Kinnik Sky, Lisa Tucker, Mandisa, Melissa McGhee, Paris Bennett,

    Directors:Ken Warwick, Nigel Lythgoe, Bruce Gowers

    Writer:Simon Fuller

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    Directors:Ken Warwick, Nigel Lythgoe, Bruce Gowers

    Writer:Simon Fuller
15. 

    5.0/10(44 votes)

    #15 - Performance Show Males #2 (top 10)

    S5:E153/1/2006

    The Top 10 boys perform for America, hoping to win enough votes to stay in the competition. Who will be back to sing next week? America will decide. Performing Tonight is: Ace Young, Bucky Covington, Chris Daughtry, David Radford, Elliott Yamin, Gedeon McKinney, Jose "Sway" Penala, Kevin Covais, Taylor Hicks, Will Makar

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Unknown

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16. 

    5.0/10(42 votes)

    #16 - and then there were 16...

    S5:E163/2/2006

    The 20 remaining semifinalists performed this week and the viewers voted for their favorites. Tonight, the four contestants – two males and two females – who received the fewest votes will go home, leaving 16 semifinalists to vie for the American Idol crown

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Unknown

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17. 

    4.5/10(40 votes)

    #17 - Performance Show Females #3 (top 8)

    S5:E173/7/2006

    The remaining eight girls will perform again for America. After the show, the viewers will vote for their favorites. Who will sing again, and who will go home? Performing tonight are Ayla Brown, Katharine McPhee, Kellie Pickler, Kinnik Sky, Lisa Tucker, Mandisa, Melissa McGhee, Paris Bennett,

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Unknown

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18. 

    5.0/10(45 votes)

    #18 - Performance Show Males #3 (top 8)

    S5:E183/8/2006

    The remaining 8 boys sing tonight for America. After the show, the viewers will vote for their favorites. Who will be back next week and who will go home? Performing Tonight is: Ace Young, Bucky Covington, Chris Daughtry, Elliott Yamin, Gedeon McKinney, Kevin Covais, Taylor Hicks, Will Makar

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Unknown

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19. 

    5.4/10(43 votes)

    #19 - and then there were 12...

    S5:E193/9/2006

    Top 12 Finalists to be Revealed in the most dramatic results show of the season, four more semifinalists – two boys and two girls – will go home, leaving the Top 12 Finalists to vie for the American Idol crown.

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Unknown

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20. 

    5.4/10(44 votes)

    #20 - Top 12 perform live

    S5:E203/14/2006

    Tonight the Top 12 finalists perform live for the nation, vying for the American Idol crown. In this special two-hour show, contestants will sing their hearts out in hopes of winning America’s vote and surviving another week in the competiton. Tonights Theme: Stevie Wonder Hits Performing Tonight: Katharine McPhee, Kellie Pickler, Lisa Tucker, Mandisa, Melissa McGhee, Paris Bennett, Ace Young, Bucky Covington, Chris Daughtry, Elliott Yamin, Kevin Covais, and Taylor Hicks

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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21. 

    5.2/10(41 votes)

    #21 - and then there were 11...

    S5:E213/15/2006

    Last night, American Idol’s Top 12 sang their hearts out in hopes of winning America over. Tonight, the finalist who received the lowest number of votes will be eliminated from the race for the American Idol title

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Unknown

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22. 

    5.5/10(43 votes)

    #22 - Top 11 perform live

    S5:E223/21/2006

    Tonight the remaining 11 finalists perform live for the nation, vying for the American Idol crown. The contestants will sing their hearts out in hopes of winning America’s votes and surviving another week in the competition. Tonights Theme is: Songs of the 50's Performing Tonight: Katharine McPhee, Kellie Pickler, Lisa Tucker, Mandisa, Paris Bennett, Ace Young, Bucky Covington, Chris Daughtry, Elliott Yamin, Kevin Covais, Taylor Hicks

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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23. 

    5.6/10(42 votes)

    #23 - and then there were 10...

    S5:E233/22/2006

    Last night, American Idol’s Top 11 sang their hearts out in hopes of winning America over. Tonight, the finalist who received the lowest number of votes will be eliminated from the race for the American Idol title. The show started with an awesome perfomance by Barry Manilow. Following that, Ryan announced the bottom three,... and they are: Kevin, Lisa and Bucky.. After the break, we find Lisa to be safe while kevin and Bucky stand anxiously on stage...Eventually, we had to say goodbye to chicken little (kevin)... well atleast he can say that this show has really changed his life

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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24. 

    4.9/10(40 votes)

    #24 - Top 10 perform live

    S5:E243/28/2006

    Tonight the Top 10 finalists will perform live for the nation, vying for the American Idol crown. The contestants will sing their hearts out in hopes of winning America’s vote and surviving another week in the competition. This Weeks Theme is: songs of the 21st century Performing Tonight is: Lisa Tucker, Kellie Pickler, Ace Young, Taylor Hicks, Mandisa, Chris Daughtry, Katharine McPhee, Bucky Covington, Paris Bennett, Elliott Yamin,

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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25. 

    5.0/10(42 votes)

    #25 - and then there were 9...

    S5:E253/29/2006

    Last night, the Top 10 Finalists sang their hearts out in hopes of winning America over. Find out tonight live who will sing again next week and who will go home.

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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