Season pulse
Episodes
30 episodes
Auditions No. 2
Hopefuls try to impress the judges as auditions continue.
Auditions No. 3
Vocalists in Kansas City, Mo., audition for the judges in hope of making it to the next round.
Auditions No. 4
Vocalists in New York -- the hometown of judge Jennifer Lopez -- audition in hope of making it to the next round; guest judge Adam Lambert.
Auditions No. 5
Another round of vocalists audition for the judges in hope of making it to the next round.
Auditions No. 6
The auditions continue as more vocalists try to impress the judges in hope of making it to the next round.
Auditions #7
The auditions continue.
Auditions #8
The auditions continue.
Hollywood Week #1
Hollywood Week opens with the singers forming lines of 10 and performing for the judges.
Hollywood Week #2
Hollywood Week continues.
Hollywood Week #3
Hollywood Week continues as the contestants perform solos.
Hollywood Week #4
Hollywood Week continues and the Top 48 singers are revealed.
Showcase No. 1
The contestants perform in a showcase at the House of Blues; some of the contestants learn their fate.
Showcase No. 2
The final performances take place at the House of Blues; the judges finish selecting the top 24 contestants.
Top 12 Boys Perform
The top 12 guys perform in hope of winning America's votes.
Top 12 Girls Perform
The top 12 girls perform in hope of earning America's votes.
Top 8 Girls Perform
The result of last week's vote and the Top 8 Girls perform.
Top 8 Boys Perform
The result of last week's vote and the Top 8 Boys perform.
Top 12 Revealed
The 16 remaining contestants are whittled down to the Top 12 finalists.
Top 12 Perform
The Top 12 perform for America's votes.
Top 10 Perform
The results of last week's vote and the Top 10 perform.
Top 9 Perform
The result of last week's vote and the Top 9 perform.
Top 8 Perform
The result of last week's vote and the Top 8 perform.
Top 7 Perform
The result of last week's vote and the Top 7 perform.
Top 6 Perform
The result of last week's vote and the Top 6 perform.
Top 5 Perform
The result of last week's vote and the Top 5 perform.
Top 4 Perform
The result of last week's vote and the Top 4 perform.
Top 3 Perform
The result of last week's vote and the Top 3 perform.
Top 2 Perform
The final performance show of the season gives America one last chance to vote for the winner.
Finale
A night of featured performances climaxes with the revelation of this year's American Idol winner.