American Idol backdrop
Reality

The Worst Episodes of American Idol

Every episode of American Idol ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of American Idol!

Binge this in 33d 10h•Peaking at 8.1/10

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?

Airs on
FOX
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons15

All123456789101112131415

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
    Click to reveal
    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. American Idol Season 3 Episode 44 - And The Winner Is.....
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    S3:E44

    Live, two-hour season finale, when either Fantasia or Diana takes the crown! The winner of American Idol season 3 is .... FANTASIA BARRINO!!!!

    Director:Bruce Gowers
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. American Idol Season 3 Episode 45 - Kelly, Ruben & Fantasia: Home for Christmas
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    S3:E45

    Past Idols sing songs from their new solo album releases as well as holiday classics. Tonight's theme is: Holiday Classics Performing Tonight is: Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. American Idol Season 15 Episode 5 - Auditions #5
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    S15:E5

    Hopefuls audition for the judges in Atlanta, Little Rock, Ark., Philadelphia and San Francisco.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. American Idol Season 15 Episode 6 - Auditions #6
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    S15:E6

    Hopefuls perform for the judges in Atlanta, Philadelphia and San Francisco.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. American Idol Season 15 Episode 7 - Hollywood Round #1
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    S15:E7

    The judges have heard auditions from all over the country, and now it's time for the best of the best to see if they are cut out for Hollywood.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of American Idol

    READ
  7. American Idol Season 15 Episode 8 - Hollywood Round #2
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    S15:E8

    The contestants press on to show the judges what they've got as Hollywood Week continues.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. American Idol Season 15 Episode 13 - Showcase #3: 2nd 12 Performances
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    S15:E13

    The remaining 12 of the Top 24 get their chance to shine as they perform for the judges' votes.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. American Idol Season 15 Episode 15 - Wildcard Night: Judges Pick
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    S15:E15

    After proving themselves alongside Idol legends, some semifinalists will reach the end of their journey. The judges will announce the first eight semi-finalists to make it into the Top 10, leaving six to sing for America's vote and the final two spots in this farewell season's Top 10.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. American Idol Season 15 Episode 20 - Episode 20
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    S15:E20

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. American Idol Season 15 Episode 21 - Episode 21
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    S15:E21

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. American Idol Season 15 Episode 23 - Finale (1)
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    S15:E23

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. American Idol Season 12 Episode 33 - Results Show
    3.2/10(25 votes)

    S12:E33

    The contestants face elimination. David Cook performs; will.i.am peforms; Harry Connick Jr. performs.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. American Idol Season 9 Episode 35 - 1 of 6 Voted Off
    3.4/10(31 votes)

    S9:E35

    Last night, American Idol's Top 6 Finalists performed their hardest in hopes of advancing to get one step closer to becoming the next American Idol. Tonight find out who makes the Top 5, and who will be sent home live.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. American Idol Season 12 Episode 32 - Finalists Compete
    3.4/10(25 votes)

    S12:E32

    The top 4 finalists performs a hit song of 2013 and a song from the Great American Songbook standards.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. American Idol Season 9 Episode 27 - 1 of 10 Voted Off
    3.5/10(47 votes)

    S9:E27

    The Top 10 finalists find out who is safe and who will be sent home during the live results

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. American Idol Season 5 Episode 3 - Auditions #3 (Greensboro, NC)
    3.7/10(35 votes)

    S5:E3

    The best and worst of auditions from Greensboro, NC.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. American Idol Season 5 Episode 7 - Auditions #7 (Boston, MA)
    3.7/10(35 votes)

    S5:E7

    The best and worst of auditions from Boston, MA

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. American Idol Season 6 Episode 7 - San Antonio, Texas Auditions
    3.7/10(41 votes)

    S6:E7

    Season 6 auditions continue in San Antonio, TX

    Director:Nigel Lythgoe
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. American Idol Season 7 Episode 5 - Omaha Auditions
    3.7/10(38 votes)

    S7:E5

    American Idol continues their quest to find the next singing superstar. Watch as thousands of hopefuls go before the judges in hopes of making it to Hollywood from Omaha, NE.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. American Idol Season 12 Episode 35 - Results Show
    3.7/10(27 votes)

    S12:E35

    The top 2 finalists are determined. Lauren Alaina performs; Alicia Keys performs.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. American Idol Season 12 Episode 36 - Two Finalists Compete
    3.7/10(28 votes)

    S12:E36

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. American Idol Season 5 Episode 6 - Auditions #6 (Austin, TX)
    3.8/10(36 votes)

    S5:E6

    The best and worst of auditions from Austin, TX.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. American Idol Season 6 Episode 36 - Top 4 Finalists Perform
    3.8/10(41 votes)

    S6:E36

    Last night, the Top 6 finalists sang their hearts out in hopes of winning America over. Find out tonight who will be in the Final 4 and which 2 will go home, and enjoy a special live performance by Bon Jovi.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Worst Episodes Summary

"Season 1 Finale" is the worst rated episode of "American Idol". It scored /10 based on 0 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 9/4/2002. This episode scored 0.0 points lower than the second lowest rated, "And The Winner Is.....".