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The Best Episodes of American Idol

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Every episode of American Idol ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of American Idol!

The Best Episodes of American Idol

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...
  1. Background image for Winner Announced
    7.5/10(101 votes)

    #1 - Winner Announced

    S7:E42

    On tonight's exciting performance show, the last of the season, the final two contestants will battle it out live at the NOKIA Theatre LA LIVE in Downtown Los Angeles. One will be the next American Idol and one will go home. Tonight's Theme Is: Clive Davis's choice, Songwriter's Competition choice, & Contestant's choice of any song from the season. Performing Tonight are: David Archuleta David Cook

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  2. Background image for Finalists Chosen
    7.4/10(68 votes)

    #2 - Finalists Chosen

    S10:E15

    The results are in and the Top 24 are going to be cut down to 13 tonight. This is the most cut at this point in the competition and all hopefuls are nervous. Who has made the cut to be part of America's Top 10 and the 3 Wildcard spots? Jennifer Lopez's new music video is also premiered.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  3. Background image for 9 Finalists Compete
    6.8/10(57 votes)

    #3 - 9 Finalists Compete

    S10:E24

    The contestants perform songs from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, accompanied by guitarist Jeff Beck.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  4. Background image for Auditions No. 2
    6.6/10(40 votes)

    #4 - Auditions No. 2

    S13:E2

    Hopefuls perform for the judges.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  5. Background image for Auditions No. 2: New Orleans
    6.5/10(58 votes)

    #5 - Auditions No. 2: New Orleans

    S10:E2

    As the old saying goes, be careful what you wish for. After many viewers (yours truly included) complained that American Idol's Season 10 premiere on Wednesday didn't offer anything remarkably different from past seasons, Thursday's episode gave us something we've never seen before: Randy Jackson's bare stomach. I'm pretty sure that's not what any of us were hoping for. So, what had Randy (and Steven!) taking off their clothes? And which New Orleans singers gave J. Lo goose bumps and moved her to tears? Let's find out....

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  6. Background image for 3 sing
    6.4/10(37 votes)

    #6 - 3 sing

    S3:E40

    Last week America eliminated George Huff, the last male contestant. Now it's up to the 4 diva's, Barrino, Degarmo, London, & Trias. They will battle it out for your votes to keep them in the competition. This Week's theme is Disco Night. Preforming Tonight is: Fantasia Barrino, Diana DeGarmo, LaToya London, Jasmine Trias

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of American Idol

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  8. Background image for Finalists Compete
    6.2/10(62 votes)

    #7 - Finalists Compete

    S10:E16

    Casey Abrams, Lauren Alaina, James Durbin, Thia Megia, Haley Reinhart, Karen Rodriguez, Pia Toscano, Jacob Lusk, Scott McCreery, Paul McDonald, Ashthon Jones, Stefano Langone and Naima Adedapo are up for the spot of American Idol as the Top 13 perform for the spot into the next round. Who will show that they can sing the best?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  9. Background image for 12 Finalists Have Been Chosen
    6.1/10(34 votes)

    #8 - 12 Finalists Have Been Chosen

    S3:E20

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  10. Background image for 7 sing!!
    6.1/10(41 votes)

    #9 - 7 sing!!

    S3:E30

    The 7 Idols compete to stay in the competition. This week's theme is: music of Barry Manilow.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  11. Background image for Elton John theme
    6.0/10(38 votes)

    #10 - Elton John theme

    S3:E26

    The field is narrowed down to 9 as the contestants battle it out hoping to stay in the competition. This weeks theme is:ELTON JOHN.

    Director:Bruce Gowers
    Writer:Unknown
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  12. Background image for 8 left to compete
    6.0/10(36 votes)

    #11 - 8 left to compete

    S3:E28

    The competition is down to 8 contestants. The theme is Movie Music Night.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  13. Background image for The Final 3 2004
    6.0/10(34 votes)

    #12 - The Final 3 2004

    S3:E39

    Ryan will sit down with the judges one on one to learn what they think about this season, and then Diana, Fantasia and Jasmine will sing one song each!

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  14. Background image for Fantasia Barrino vs. Diana DeGarmo
    6.0/10(54 votes)

    #13 - Fantasia Barrino vs. Diana DeGarmo

    S3:E43

    Ryan will sit down with the judges one on one to learn what they think about this season, and then Diana, Fantasia and Jasmine will sing one song each!

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  15. Background image for Auditions No. 1: New York/New Jersey
    6.0/10(58 votes)

    #14 - Auditions No. 1: New York/New Jersey

    S10:E1

    The talent contest opens Season 10 with auditions in New York and New Jersey.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  16. Background image for 8 Finalists Compete
    6.0/10(40 votes)

    #15 - 8 Finalists Compete

    S10:E26

    The eight remaining contestants perform songs from movies.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  17. Background image for Auditions No. 3
    6.0/10(32 votes)

    #16 - Auditions No. 3

    S13:E3

    Hopefuls perform for the judges.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  18. Background image for Finally! Finalists!
    5.9/10(31 votes)

    #17 - Finally! Finalists!

    S3:E17

    Performing Tonight Susie Vulaca- Unbreak My Heart Heather Piccinini- New Attitude John Preator- That's What Love Is All About Tiara Purifoy- I Wanna Dance With Somebody John Stevens- She's Always A Woman Jasmine Trias- Run To You George Huff- Always & Forever Lisa Wilson- Come To My Window

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  19. Background image for Clay Aiken Returns
    5.9/10(34 votes)

    #18 - Clay Aiken Returns

    S3:E21

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  20. Background image for Tamyra Gray returns
    5.9/10(42 votes)

    #19 - Tamyra Gray returns

    S3:E27

    One more contestants dreams of becoming the American Idol is crushed as he/she is voted off. Also Season 1's Tamyra Gray preforms her newest song "Raindrops Will Fall.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  21. Background image for Top 2 Finalists Perform
    5.9/10(49 votes)

    #20 - Top 2 Finalists Perform

    S7:E41

    On tonight's exciting performance show, the last of the season, the final two contestants will battle it out live at the NOKIA Theatre LA LIVE in Downtown Los Angeles. One will be the next American Idol and one will go home. Tonight's Theme Is: Clive Davis's choice, Songwriter's Competition choice, & Contestant's choice of any song from the season.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  22. Background image for Auditions No. 3: Milwaukee
    5.9/10(55 votes)

    #21 - Auditions No. 3: Milwaukee

    S10:E3

    The American Idol audition train rolled on to Milwaukee, which served up yet another batch of really young youngsters, a few more impressive standouts and the most ridiculous auditions we've seen thus far. But while watching and judging the wannabes, some interesting things happened to the judging panel: Steven Tyler became an even more inappropriate softie, Jennifer Lopez finally looked comfortable crushing people's dreams and Randy Jackson ... actually said something smart? So which singers inspired these changes?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  23. Background image for Auditions No. 4: Nashville
    5.9/10(44 votes)

    #22 - Auditions No. 4: Nashville

    S10:E4

    The auditions continue from Nashville, TN on the new season of American Idol as the judges continue their quest to find the next singing superstar.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  24. Background image for Winner Announced
    5.9/10(68 votes)

    #23 - Winner Announced

    S10:E39

    The top-13 finalists reunite on stage; the winner is announced.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  25. Background image for Episode 1
    5.9/10(43 votes)

    #24 - Episode 1

    S13:E1

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  26. Background image for Two Will Be Happy. Six Will Be Sad. Lots Will Be Watching.
    5.8/10(32 votes)

    #25 - Two Will Be Happy. Six Will Be Sad. Lots Will Be Watching.

    S3:E10

    The first two people to move on to the final group of 12 are... Diana DeGarmo! & Fantasia Barrino!

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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Best Episodes Summary

"Winner Announced" is the best rated episode of "American Idol". It scored 7.5/10 based on 101 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 5/21/2008. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Finalists Chosen".