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The Best Episodes of American Idol Season 1

Every episode of American Idol Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of American Idol Season 1!

Binge this in 1d 11h•Peaking at 5.5/10

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 1 Episode 1 - Auditions
    5.5/10(78 votes)

    S1:E1

    Auditions in LA (Ryann Starr), Seattle (AJ Gil), Chicago (Jim Verraros), NYC (Justin Guarini), Atlanta (Tamyra Gray, RJ Helton, EJ Day) , Dallas (Kelly Clarkson, Nikki McKibbin), Miami (Christina Christian).

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. American Idol Season 1 Episode 24 - Top 2 Finalists
    5.2/10(58 votes)

    S1:E24

    Kelly vs. Justin who will win?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. American Idol Season 1 Episode 20 - Top 4 Finalists
    4.7/10(42 votes)

    S1:E20

    Tonight the Top 4 will perform two songs live for the nation, vying for the American Idol title. The contestants will give it their all in hopes of winning America's vote and surviving another week. Who will play it safe and who will take the big risk? Their fate rests in your hands. Tonight's theme is the 80's and 90's. Performing tonight are Tamyra Gray, Justin Guarini, Kelly Clarkson, and Nikki McKibbin.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. American Idol Season 1 Episode 19 - Top 5 Results
    4.6/10(41 votes)

    S1:E19

    Last night, the Top 5 finalists performed love songs. Tonight, the show is live and the votes are in. Who will sing again next week and who will be sent home? The contestant receiving the fewest votes will be eliminated from the competition. Another dream is about to end. Find out who America voted for.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. American Idol Season 1 Episode 23 - Top 3 Results
    4.6/10(43 votes)

    S1:E23

    Last night, the Top 3 finalists performed two songs. Tonight, the show is live and the votes are in. Who will sing again next week and who will go home? The contestant receiving the fewest votes will be eliminated from the competition. Another dream is about to end. Find out who America voted for to battle it out in next week's showdown.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. American Idol Season 1 Episode 4 - Top 30: Group 1 results
    4.5/10(52 votes)

    S1:E4

    The show is live and the votes are in! America will see which 3 contestants they voted for will move on to the final 10.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. American Idol Season 1 Episode 22 - Top 3 Finalists
    4.5/10(41 votes)

    S1:E22

    Tonight the Top 3 will each perform two songs live for the nation, vying for the American Idol title. The contestants will give it their all in hopes of winning America's vote and surviving one last week. Who will play it safe and who will take the big risk? Their fate rests in your hands. Tonight the contestants sing a song of their choice and a song the judges picked for them. Performing tonight are Justin Guarini, Kelly Clarkson, and Nikki McKibbin.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. American Idol Season 1 Episode 2 - Hollywood Week
    4.4/10(58 votes)

    S1:E2

    After going through their first round, things start to heat up when the competion gets harder. Now the contestants have to learn routines, and sing/dance in groups of threes and fours. The judges will pick which ones in the group stay. They had to learn these routines in a couple of nights, sacrificing their resting time. There was no time to relax, they had to stay focused. Many were stressed, and forgot their lines, and didn't know what to do. This narrows the search down to fewer people.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. American Idol Season 1 Episode 5 - Top 30: Group 2
    4.4/10(49 votes)

    S1:E5

    They sing. You vote. You decide. Brian Dunkleman and Ryan Seacrest host as Group Two performs for America. The fate of the 10 hopefuls rests in America's hands as only the Top 3 contestants move on. Performing tonight are Alexis Lopez, Gil Sinuet, Angela Peel, A.J. Gil, Tenia Taylor, Alexandra Bachelier, Jazmin Lowery, Jamar, Kelly Clarkson, and Justin Guarini.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. American Idol Season 1 Episode 6 - Top 30: Group 2 results
    4.4/10(52 votes)

    S1:E6

    The show is live and the votes are in! Three more contestants will advance to the Final 10. Watch to see who moves one step closer to becoming the American Idol.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. American Idol Season 1 Episode 8 - Top 30: Group 3 results
    4.4/10(50 votes)

    S1:E8

    The show is live and the votes are in! The final choices are revealed as the last three contestants advance to the Final 10. Watch to see who moves one step closer to becoming the American Idol.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. American Idol Season 1 Episode 9 - Wild Card Show
    4.4/10(48 votes)

    S1:E9

    10,000 auditioned... 121 made it to Hollywood... 30 sang for your vote and 9 are through to the next round. Tonight 5 Wild Cards return to sing again for the judges to decide LIVE which one will complete the Final 10. Tonight on American Idol, who will it be?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. American Idol Season 1 Episode 16 - Top 6 Finalists
    4.4/10(42 votes)

    S1:E16

    Tonight the Top 6 will perform live for the nation, vying for the American Idol title. The contestants will give it their all in hopes of winning America's vote and surviving another week. Who will play it safe and who will take the big risk? Their fate rests in your hands. Tonight's theme is Big Band. Performing tonight are Tamyra Gray, Justin Guarini, Kelly Clarkson, Christina Christian, Nikki McKibbin, and R.J. Helton.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. American Idol Season 1 Episode 18 - Top 5 Finalists
    4.4/10(41 votes)

    S1:E18

    Tonight the Top 5 will perform live for the nation, vying for the American Idol title. The contestants will give it their all in hopes of winning America's vote and surviving another week. Who will play it safe and who will take the big risk? Their fate rests in your hands. Tonight's theme is love songs. Performing tonight are Tamyra Gray, Justin Guarini, Kelly Clarkson, Nikki McKibbin, and R.J. Helton.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. American Idol Season 1 Episode 3 - Top 30: Group 1
    4.3/10(52 votes)

    S1:E3

    They sing. You vote. You decide. Brian Dunkleman and Ryan Seacrest host as group one performs for America. The fate of the 10 hopefuls rests in America's hands as only the Top 3 contestants move on. Performing tonight are Tamyra Gray, Jim Verraros, Adriel Herrera, Rodesia Eaves, Natalie Burge, Brad Estrin, Ryan Starr, Justinn Waddell, Kelli Glover, and Christopher Aaron.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. American Idol Season 1 Episode 7 - Top 30: Group 3
    4.3/10(47 votes)

    S1:E7

    They sing. You vote. You decide. Brian Dunkleman and Ryan Seacrest host as Group Three performs for America. The fate of the last 10 hopefuls rests in America's hands as only the Top 3 contestants move on. Performing tonight are R.J. Helton, Kristin Holt, Mark Scott, Nikki McKibbin, Chris Badono, Melanie Sanders, Ejay Day, Tanesha Ross, Khaleef Chiles, and Christina Cristian.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. American Idol Season 1 Episode 10 - Top 10 Perform
    4.3/10(51 votes)

    S1:E10

    Live in Hollywood! They have a new set, full orchestral arrangements, and a live studio audience. The theme is Motown and performing tonight are Ryan Starr, R.J. Helton, Nikki McKibbin, Ejay Day, Tamyra Gray, Justin Guarini, Jim Verraros, Kelly Clarkson, A.J. Gil, and Christina Cristian.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. American Idol Season 1 Episode 13 - Top 8 Results
    4.3/10(51 votes)

    S1:E13

    Last night, the Top 8 finalists performed hits from the 60's. Tonight, the show is live and the votes are in. Who will sing again next week and who will be sent home? The contestant receiving the fewest votes will be eliminated from the competition. Another dream is about to end. Find out who America voted for.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. American Idol Season 1 Episode 14 - Top 7 Finalists
    4.3/10(41 votes)

    S1:E14

    Tonight the Top 7 will perform live for the nation, vying for the American Idol title. The contestants will give it their all in hopes of winning America's vote and surviving another week. Who will play it safe and who will take the big risk? Their fate rests in your hands. Tonight's theme is the 1970's. Performing tonight are Tamyra Gray, Ryan Starr, Justin Guarini, Kelly Clarkson, Christina Christian, Nikki McKibbin, and R.J. Helton.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. American Idol Season 1 Episode 15 - Top 7 Results
    4.2/10(43 votes)

    S1:E15

    Last night, the Top 7 finalists performed hits from the 70's. Tonight, the show is live and the votes are in. Who will sing again next week and who will be sent home? The contestant receiving the fewest votes will be eliminated from the competition. Another dream is about to end. Find out who America voted for.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. American Idol Season 1 Episode 12 - Top 8 Finalists
    4.1/10(47 votes)

    S1:E12

    Tonight the Top 8 will perform live for the nation, vying for the American Idol title. The contestants will give it their all in hopes of winning America's vote and surviving another week. Who will play it safe and who will take the big risk? Their fate rests in your hands. Tonight's theme is the 1960's. Performing tonight are Tamyra Gray, Ryan Starr, Justin Guarini, Kelly Clarkson, A.J. Gil, Christina Christian, Nikki McKibbin, and R.J. Helton.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. American Idol Season 1 Episode 21 - Top 4 Results
    4.1/10(40 votes)

    S1:E21

    Last night, the Top 4 finalists performed two hits from the 80's and 90's. Tonight, the show is live and the votes are in. Who will sing again next week and who will be sent home? The contestant receiving the fewest votes will be eliminated from the competition. Another dream is about to end. Find out who America voted for.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. American Idol Season 1 Episode 17 - Top 6 Results
    4.0/10(40 votes)

    S1:E17

    Last night, the Top 6 finalists performed hits from the Big Band era. Tonight, the show is live and the votes are in. Who will sing again next week and who will be sent home? The contestant receiving the fewest votes will be eliminated from the competition. Another dream is about to end. Find out who America voted for.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. American Idol Season 1 Episode 11 - Top 10 Results
    3.8/10(49 votes)

    S1:E11

    Last night American Idol rocked to Motown. The Top 10 finalists gave it their all. But tonight two dreams are about to come to an end. Two contestants with the lowest number of votes will be eliminated. Find out who America voted for.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. American Idol Season 1 Episode 25 - Season 1 Finale
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    S1:E25

    The episode begins as usual, with the whole thing starting. They go behind the scenes for the first hour and the final 10 come back, sing for about half an hour, and then the question on everyone's mind since the series began, who is the american idol? And the winner is...

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Auditions" is the best rated episode of "American Idol" season 1. It scored 5.5/10 based on 78 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 6/11/2002. This episode is rated 0.3 points higher than the second-best, "Top 2 Finalists".