Season pulse
Episodes
40 episodes
Phoenix Auditions
Season 8 begins as Simon, Paula and Randy are back to hear the auditions for this year's show.
Kansas City Auditions
The auditions continue from Kansas City.
San Francisco Auditions
Domarna förflyttar sig till San Francisco förr att höra nästa grupp provsjunga.
Louisville Auditions
More than 10,000 hardy performers braved extremely hot and muggy weather and turned out for auditions for Season 8 of American Idol in Louisville.
Jacksonville Auditions
12,000 hardy auditioners turned out in torrential rain in Jacksonville, Florida to sing for the chance to be on season 8 of American Idol.
Salt Lake City Auditions
Thousands of hopeful auditioners streamed into Salt Lake City for their chance to show us that they have the talent to be the next American Idol.
New York City & San Juan, PR Auditions
The final auditions take place as the judges head to New York City and then San Juan, PR. in search for the next American Idol.
Hollywood Round 1
With the auditions out of the way, now is the time to separate the good from the bad and to find the real talent that holds in the rooms. With the individuals hoping to make a name for themselves, who is going to outshine the rest and make it through to the next round?
Hollywood Round 2
It is Group Week and no one is safe for this round of tough auditions. With many already to go, a twist forces them to separate and form new groups and make new friends. Which group is going to make it through to the next round and which are going home? The judges decide.
Hollywood Round 3
Now it is the individuals to show what they have and to shine out the rest of the competition and to show the judges that they did not make the wrong choice from choosing from the Group Week. This week they are solo with the help of the band or their own instrument.
Hollywood Round 4
The contestants from all over the country have performed tirelessly in front of the judges and faced stiff competition while in Hollywood. Now it's time they reveal the Top 36 who will move on and have a chance at becoming this year's American Idol.
Top 36 Finalists Group 1 Perform
Top 36 Finalists Group 1 Perform
Top 36 Finalists Group 1 Results
Top 36 Finalists Group 1 Results
Top 36 Finalists Group 2 Perform
Top 36 Finalists Group 2 Perform
Top 36 Finalists Group 2 Results
Top 36 Finalists Group 2 Results
Top 36 Finalists Group 3 Perform
Top 36 Finalists Group 3 Perform
Top 36 Finalists Group 3 Results
Top 36 Finalists Group 3 Results
Wild Card / 3 Finalists Chosen
Wild Card Results
Top 13 Finalists Perform
Season eight sees it's first performances from the 13 chosen contestants.
2 of 13 Voted Off
Two of the 13 finalists are voted off the show.
Top 11 Finalists Perform
Top 11 Finalists Perform Live
1 of 11 Voted Off
The top 10 is set. Performances by Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood and Randy Travis.
Top 10 Finalists Perform
The top 10 compete in Motown week with Smokey Robinson.
1 of 10 Voted Off
Ruebin Studdard, Smokey Robinson, Joss Stone and Stevie Wonder perform.
Top 9 Finalists Perform
Top 9 Finalists Perform
1 of 9 Voted Off
This episode will end with 1 contestants being eliminated.
Top 8 Finalists Perform
This week's performance showcases feature songs from the year each performer was born for the eight remaining singers.
1 of 8 Voted Off
This episode will end with 1 contestants being eliminated.
Top 7 Finalists Perform
The remaining contestants perform songs
1 of 7 Voted Off
This episode will end with 1 contestants being eliminated.
Top 7 Finalists Perform Again
Top 7 Finalists Perform Again
2 of 7 Voted Off
This episode will end with 2 contestants being eliminated. Performances from disco week include Harry Casey, Thelma Houston and Freda Payne singing a medley of the genres gems. Also, season 7 runner up David Archuleta stops by to sing a song.
Top 5 Finalists Perform
This week's performances will come from the songbook of the Rat Pack, the 1960's cool crooners who also went by the names of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr.
Top 5 Results
A contestant is eliminated
Top 4 Finalists Perform
Top 4 Finalists perform for Rock Week.
1 of 4 Voted Off
1 of 4 voted off. Slash plays lead guitar duiring Idol group number. Daughtry performs and accepts Platinum Record. No Doubt also performs.
Top 3 Finalists Perform
3 Finalists Compete
1 of 3 Voted Off
One of Three Voted Off
Top 2 Finalists Perform
The Top 2 Finalist perform. Both Adam Lambert and Kris Allen sing three songs: one song they sang before on the competition, one song chosen by 'Idol' creator Simon Fuller and the song that will be their first Single, co-written by judge Kara DioGuardi
Winner Revealed
The top-13 finalists reunite on stage; the winner is announced.