Original Air Date: 16 January 2007
The American Idol judges begin their search for the next winner of the nationwide talent contest. First stop: Minneapolis, MN.

Season 6, Episode 2: Auditions: Seattle

Original Air Date: 17 January 2007
Auditions continue for the talent competition in Seattle, WA.

Season 6, Episode 3: Auditions: Memphis

Original Air Date: 23 January 2007
The best and worst auditions for the next singing superstar, taking place in Memphis, TN.

Season 6, Episode 4: Auditions: New York

Original Air Date: 24 January 2007
Auditions continue in New York City.

Season 6, Episode 5: Auditions: Birmingham

Original Air Date: 30 January 2007
Auditions continue in Birmingham, Alabama.

Season 6, Episode 6: Auditions: Los Angeles

Original Air Date: 31 January 2007
Auditions continue in Los Angeles, California.

Season 6, Episode 7: Auditions: San Antonio

Original Air Date: 6 February 2007
Auditions continue in San Antonio, TX.

Season 6, Episode 8: Auditions: Rest of the Best

Original Air Date: 7 February 2007
Previously unseen auditions are shown before the show heads to Los Angeles.

Season 6, Episode 9: The Hollywood Round

Original Air Date: 13 February 2007
Show contestants audition in hopes of making the list of the final 24 candidates.

Season 6, Episode 10: Final 24 Verdict

Original Air Date: 14 February 2007
The top 24 semifinalists are revealed.

Season 6, Episode 11: Top 24 Performance Show: Part 1 Guys

Original Air Date: 20 February 2007
The top 12 male contestants perform in Hollywood.

Season 6, Episode 12: Top 24 Performance Show: Part 2 Girls

Original Air Date: 21 February 2007
The top 12 female contestants perform in Hollywood.

Season 6, Episode 13: Top 24 Results Show

Original Air Date: 22 February 2007
Two male and two female contestants are asked to leave on the first live results show of the season.

Season 6, Episode 14: Top 20 Performance Show: Part 1 Guys

Original Air Date: 27 February 2007
The remaining top ten male contestants perform.

Season 6, Episode 15: Top 20 Performance Show: Part 2 Girls

Original Air Date: 28 February 2007
The remaining top ten female contestants perform.

Season 6, Episode 16: Top 20 Results Show

Original Air Date: 1 March 2007
Four more contestants are voted off the show.

Season 6, Episode 17: Top 16 Performance Show: Part 1 Guys

Original Air Date: 6 March 2007
The top eight male contestants perform.

Season 6, Episode 18: Top 16 Performance Show: Part 2 Girls

Original Air Date: 7 March 2007
The top eight female contestants perform.

Season 6, Episode 19: Top 16 Results Show

Original Air Date: 8 March 2007
Four contestants are asked to leave, and the top twelve finalists are revealed.

Season 6, Episode 20: Top 12 Performance Show: Diana Ross

Original Air Date: 13 March 2007
The top 12 contestants perform.

Season 6, Episode 21: Top 12 Results Show

Original Air Date: 14 March 2007
One of the contestants is asked to leave the show, as determined by audience voting.

Season 6, Episode 22: Top 11 Performance Show: British Invasion

Original Air Date: 20 March 2007
The eleven finalists perform.

Season 6, Episode 23: Top 11 Results Show

Original Air Date: 21 March 2007
Another contestant is asked to leave, narrowing the field down to ten.

Season 6, Episode 24: Top 10 Performance Show: Gwen Stefani

Original Air Date: 27 March 2007
The top ten remaining finalists compete.

Season 6, Episode 25: Top 10 Results Show

Original Air Date: 28 March 2007
Another finalist is voted off the show, as determined by the viewing audience.

Season 6, Episode 26: The Top Nine Finalists

Original Air Date: 3 April 2007
The top nine finalists perform.

Season 6, Episode 27: Live Results: Round Seven

Original Air Date: 4 April 2007
One of the finalists is voted off; Michael Bublé makes a special guest appearance.

Season 6, Episode 28: The Top Eight Finalists

Original Air Date: 10 April 2007
Guest star Jennifer Lopez coaches the remaining eight contestants.

Season 6, Episode 29: Episode #6.29

Original Air Date: 11 April 2007
One of the eight remaining contestants is voted off; Jennifer Lopez performs.

Season 6, Episode 30: Episode #6.30

Original Air Date: 17 April 2007
The seven remaining contestants receive coaching from singer Martina McBride.

Season 6, Episode 31: Episode #6.31

Original Air Date: 18 April 2007
One of the remaining seven contestants is voted off the show; Martina McBride performs.

Season 6, Episode 32: Idol Gives Back: Part One

Original Air Date: 24 April 2007
The six remaining contestants perform songs for the "Idol Gives Back," in which sponsors donate money for young people living in extreme poverty.

Season 6, Episode 33: Idol Gives Back: Part Two

Original Air Date: 25 April 2007
Celebrites are slated to appear and perform as part of the "Idol Gives Back" charity cause; in a surprise move, no one is voted off the show.

Season 6, Episode 34: Episode #6.34

Original Air Date: 1 May 2007
Jon Bon Jovi coaches the six remaining contestants.

Season 6, Episode 35: Episode #6.35

Original Air Date: 2 May 2007
Two of the six remaining contestants are asked to leave; rocker Jon Bon Jovi performs.

Season 6, Episode 36: Episode #6.36

Original Air Date: 8 May 2007
The four remaining contestants perform.

Season 6, Episode 37: Episode #6.37

Original Air Date: 9 May 2007
One of the final four competitors is asked to leave.

Season 6, Episode 38: Episode #6.38

Original Air Date: 15 May 2007
The top three finalists perform.

Season 6, Episode 39: Episode #6.39

Original Air Date: 16 May 2007
One of the final three contestants is asked to leave the show.

Season 6, Episode 40: Episode #6.40

Original Air Date: 22 May 2007
The final two contestants perform.

Season 6, Episode 41: Finale

Original Air Date: 23 May 2007
The winner of the talent contest is named, as decided by popular vote.

Season 7

Season 7, Episode 1: Auditions: Philadelphia

Original Air Date: 15 January 2008

Season 7, Episode 2: Auditions: Dallas

Original Air Date: 16 January 2008

Season 7, Episode 3: Auditions: San Diego

Original Air Date: 22 January 2008

Season 7, Episode 4: Charleston Auditions

Original Air Date: 23 January 2008

Season 7, Episode 5: Omaha Auditions

Original Air Date: 29 January 2008

Season 7, Episode 6: Auditions: Miami

Original Air Date: 30 January 2008

Season 7, Episode 7: Atlanta Auditions

Original Air Date: 5 February 2008

Season 7, Episode 8: Best of the Rest Auditions

Original Air Date: 6 February 2008

Season 7, Episode 9: Hollywood Round 1

Original Air Date: 12 February 2008

Season 7, Episode 10: Hollywood Round 2

Original Air Date: 13 February 2008

Season 7, Episode 11: The Top 12 Boys Perform

Original Air Date: 19 February 2008
Song choices: David Hernandez -- "In the Midnight Hour" Chikezie Eze -- "I Love You More Today Than Yesterday" David Cook -- "Happy Together" Jason Yeager -- "Moon River" Robbie Carrico -- "One" David Archuleta -- "Shop Around" Danny Noriega -- "Jailhouse Rock" Luke Menard -- "Everybody's Talkin'" Colton Berry -- "Suspicious Minds" Garrett Haley -- "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" Jason Castro -- "What a Day For a Daydream" Michael Johns -- "Light My Fire"

Season 7, Episode 12: The Top 12 Girls Perform

Original Air Date: 20 February 2008
Songs performed: Kristy Lee Cook -- "Rescue Me" Joanne Borgella -- "I Say a Little Prayer" Alaina Whitaker -- "More Today Than Yesterday" Amanda Overmyer -- "Baby Please Don't Go" Amy Davis -- "Where the Boys Are" Brooke White -- "Happy Together" Alexandrea Lushington -- "Spinning Wheel" Kady Malloy -- "A Groovy Kind of Love" Asia'h Epperson -- "Piece of My Heart" Ramiele Malubay -- "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" Syesha Mercado -- "Tobacco Road" Carly Smithson -- "The Shadow of Your Smile"

Season 7, Episode 13: First All New Live Results Show

Original Air Date: 21 February 2008
After more than 28 million votes were tallied, Colton Berry, Joanne Borgella, Amy Davis and Garrett Haley were sent home.

Season 7, Episode 14: The Top Ten Male Singers Perform

Original Air Date: 26 February 2008
Songs performed: Michael Johns -- "Go Your Own Way" Jason Castro -- "I Just Want To Be Your Everything" Luke Menard -- "Killer Queen" Robbie Carrico -- "Hot Blooded" Danny Noriega -- "Superstar" David Hernandez -- "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" Jason Yeager -- "Long Train Running" Chikezie Eze -- "I Believe" David Cook -- "All Right Now" David Archuleta -- "Imagine"

Season 7, Episode 15: The Top Ten Female Singers Perform

Original Air Date: 27 February 2008
Songs performed: Carly Smithson -- "Crazy on You"; Syesha Mercado -- "Me and Mrs. Jones"; Brooke White -- "You're So Vain"; Ramiele Malubay -- "Don't Leave Me This Way"; Kristy Lee Cook -- "You're No Good"; Amanda Overmyer -- "Carry On My Wayward Son"; Alaina Whitaker -- "Hopelessly Devoted"; Alexandrea Lushington -- "If You Leave Me Now"; Kady Malloy -- "Magic Man"; and Asia'h Epperson -- "All By Myself"

Season 7, Episode 16: Live Results Show: Two Men and Two Women Eliminated

Original Air Date: 28 February 2008
After nearly 31 million votes are tallied, Robbie Carrico, Alexandrea Lushington, Alaina Whitaker and Jason Yeager are sent home.

Season 7, Episode 17: The Top Eight Male Singers Perform

Original Air Date: 4 March 2008
Theme: The '80s. Songs performed: Luke Menard -- "Wake Me Up [Before You Go-Go]"; David Archuleta -- "Another Day in Paradise"; Danny Noriega -- "Tainted Love"; David Hernandez -- "It's All Coming Back to Me Now"; Michael Johns -- "Don't You Forget About Me"; David Cook -- "Hello"; Jason Castro -- "Hallelujah"; Chikezie Eze -- "All the Woman That I Need"

Season 7, Episode 18: The Top Eight Female Singers Perform

Original Air Date: 5 March 2008
Theme: The 80s. Songs performed: Asia'h Epperson -- "I Wanna Dance With Somebody"; Kady Malloy -- "Who Wants to Live Forever"; Amanda Overmyer -- "Hate Myself For Loving You"; Carly Smithson -- "I Drove All Night"; Kristy Lee Cook -- "Faithfully"; Ramiele Malubay -- "Against All Odds"; Brooke White -- "Love Is a Battlefield"; Syesha Mercado -- "Saving All My Love For You."

Season 7, Episode 19: Live Results Show: Top 12 Finalists Revealed

Original Air Date: 6 March 2008
After more than 36 million votes were cast, Kady Malloy, Luke Menard, Asia'h Epperson and Danny Noriega were eliminated.

Season 7, Episode 20: The Top 12 Finalists Perform

Original Air Date: 11 March 2008
Theme: Selections from the John Lennon-Paul McCartney songbook. Songs performed: Syesha Mercado -- "Got To Get You Into My Life"; Chikezie Eze -- "She's a Woman"; Ramiele Malubay -- "In My Life"; Jason Castro -- "If I Fell"; Carly Smithson -- "Come Together"; David Cook -- "Eleanor Rigby"; Brooke White -- "Let It Be"; David Hernandez -- "I Saw Her Standing There"; Amanda Overmyer -- "You Can't Do That"; Michael Johns -- "Across the Universe"; Kristy Lee Cook -- "Eight Days a Week"; David Archuleta -- "We Can Work It Out."

Season 7, Episode 21: Live Results Show: One Contestant Eliminated

Original Air Date: 12 March 2008
After approximately 29 million votes were cast, David Hernandez was eliminated.

Season 7, Episode 22: The Top 11 Finalists Perform

Original Air Date: 18 March 2008
Theme: The Beatles. Songs performed: Amanda Overmyer -- "Back in the USSR"; Kristy Lee Cook -- "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away"; David Archuleta -- "The Long and Winding Road"; Michael Johns -- "A Day in the Life"; Brooke White -- "Here Comes the Sun"; David Cook -- "Daytripper"; Carly Smithson -- "Blackbird"; Jason Castro -- "Michelle"; Syesha Mercado -- "Yesterday"; Chikezie Eze -- "I've Just Seen a Face"; Ramiele Malubay -- "I Should Have Known Better."

Season 7, Episode 23: Live Results Show: One Contestant Eliminated

Original Air Date: 19 March 2008
Amanda Overmyer is sent home.

Season 7, Episode 24: The Top 10 Finalists Perform

Original Air Date: 25 March 2008
Theme: Songs From the Year In Which Contestants Were Born. Songs performed: Ramiele Malubay -- "Alone"; Jason Castro -- "Fragile"; Syesha Mercado -- "If I Were Your Woman"; Chikezie -- "If Only For One Night"; Brooke White -- "Every Breath You Take"; Michael Johns -- "We Will Rock You/ We Are the Champions"; Carly Smithson -- "Total Eclipse of the Heart"; David Archuleta -- "You're the Voice"; Kristy Lee Cook -- "God Bless the USA"; David Cook -- "Billie Jean."

Season 7, Episode 25: Live Results Show: One Contestant Eliminated

Original Air Date: 26 March 2008
Chikezie Eze is sent home.

Season 7, Episode 26: The Top Nine Finalists Perform

Original Air Date: 1 April 2008
Theme: Dolly Parton night. Songs performed: Brooke White -- "Jolene";David Cook -- "Little Sparrow"; Ramiele Malubay -- "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind"; Jason Castro -- "Travelin' Thru"; Carly Smithson -- "Here You Come Again"; David Archuleta -- "Appalachian Memories"; Kristy Lee Cook -- "Coat of Many Colors"; Syesha Mercado -- "I Will Always Love You"; Michael Johns -- "It's All Wrong, But It's All Right."

Season 7, Episode 27: Live Results Show: One Contestant Eliminated

Original Air Date: 2 April 2008
Ramiele Malubay is sent home.

Season 7, Episode 28: The Top Eight Finalists Perform

Original Air Date: 8 April 2008
Theme: Inspirational tunes. Songs performed: Michael Johns -- "Dream On"; Syesha Mercado -- "I Believe"; Jason Castro -- "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"; Kristy Lee Cook -- "Anyway"; David Cook -- "Innocent"; Carly Smithson -- "The Show Must Go On"; David Archuleta -- "Angels"; Brooke White -- "You've Got a Friend."

Season 7, Episode 29: Idol Gives Back

Original Air Date: 9 April 2008
The show's annual star-studded event to raise funds for charity.

Season 7, Episode 30: Live Results Show: One Contestant Eliminated

Original Air Date: 10 April 2008
America voted and decided that Michael Johns is free to "Dream On" -- but he'll have to do it elsewhere.

Season 7, Episode 31: The Top Seven Finalists Perform

Original Air Date: 15 April 2008
Theme: Mariah Carey songs. Songs performed: David Archuleta - "When You Believe"; Carly Smithson - "Without You"; Syesha Mercado - "Vanishing"; Brooke White - "Hero"; Kristy Lee Cook - "Forever"; David Cook - "Always Be My Baby"; Jason Castro - "I Don't Wanna Cry."

Season 7, Episode 32: Live Results Show: One Contestant Eliminated

Original Air Date: 16 April 2008
America voted, and concluded that "Forever" was not enough to keep Kristy Lee Cook in the competition.

Season 7, Episode 33: The Top Six Finalists Perform

Original Air Date: 22 April 2008
Theme: Andrew Lloyd Webber. Songs performed: Syesha Mercado - "One Rock & Roll Too Many" from "Starlight Express"; Jason Castro - "Memory" from "Cats"; Brooke White - "You Must Love Me" from "Evita"; David Archuleta - "Think of Me" from "Phantom of the Opera"; Carly Smithson - "Jesus Christ Superstar"; David Cook - "Music of the Night" from "Phantom."

Season 7, Episode 34: Live Results Show: One Contestant Eliminated

Original Air Date: 23 April 2008
The show must go on for everyone but Carly Smithson.

Season 7, Episode 35: The Top Five Finalists Perform

Original Air Date: 29 April 2008
Theme: Neil Diamond Night. Songs performed: Jason Castro -- "Forever in Blue Jeans" and "September Morn"; David Cook -- "I'm Alive" and "All I Really Need Is You"; Brooke White -- "I'm a Believer" and "I Am...I Said"; David Archuleta -- "Sweet Caroline" and "America"; Syesha Mercado -- "Hello Again" and "Thank the Lord for the Nighttime."

Season 7, Episode 36: Live Results Show: One Contestant Eliminated

Original Air Date: 30 April 2008
Over 45 million votes were cast, and Brooke White goes home.

Season 7, Episode 37: The Top Four Finalists Perform

Original Air Date: 6 May 2008
Theme: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Songs performed: David Cook -- "Hungry Like the Wolf," "Baba O'Riley"; Syesha Mercado -- "Proud Mary," "A Change is Gonna Come"; Jason Castro -- "I Shot the Sheriff," "Mr. Tambourine Man"; David Archuleta -- "Stand By Me," "Love Me Tender."

Season 7, Episode 38: Live Results Show: One Contestant Eliminated

Original Air Date: 7 May 2008
Nearly 51 million people voted, but Jason Castro received the fewest nods of the four remaining performers.

Season 7, Episode 39: The Top Three Finalists Perform

Original Air Date: 13 May 2008

Season 7, Episode 40: Live Results Show: One Contestant Eliminated

Original Air Date: 14 May 2008
Syesha Mercado is eliminated from the competition, leaving David Cook and David Archuleta to face off in the finale.

Season 7, Episode 41: The Final Two Perform

Original Air Date: 20 May 2008

Season 7, Episode 42: Finale

Original Air Date: 21 May 2008
After more than 97.5 million votes were tallied, America crowned David Cook the seventh American Idol with 56 percent of the vote. Celebrity performers included The Jonas Brothers, OneRepublic, Donna Summer, Seal, Graham Nash and George Michael.

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Episode list for"American Idol: The Search for a Superstar" (2002)

Season 1

Season 1, Episode 1: Debut

Season 1, Episode 2: Episode Two

Season 1, Episode 3: No Way Jim Moves on After That Performance. Right, Simon? Simon?

Season 1, Episode 4: Dewey Defeats Truman!

Season 1, Episode 5: Army of the Mediocre

Season 1, Episode 6: Six Pack

Season 1, Episode 7: The Bad, the Even Worse and the Ugly

Season 1, Episode 8: Judge Fight!

Season 1, Episode 9: Wild!

Season 1, Episode 10: The Live Album!

Season 1, Episode 11: The Unkindest Cuts

Season 1, Episode 12: Pride Goeth Before the 'Fro

Season 1, Episode 13: Clash of the Titanic Egos

Season 1, Episode 14: Ryan-ara!

Season 1, Episode 15: Jump, Jive and Fail!

Season 1, Episode 16: Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Season 1, Episode 17: Five Alive (and an Assortment of Other Bad Puns)

Season 1, Episode 18: RJ Is Short for

Season 1, Episode 19: Two for Each One

Season 1, Episode 20: What? Who? You're Sure Now?

Season 1, Episode 21: Three Do Two

Season 1, Episode 22: Two More

Season 1, Episode 23: Showdown!

Season 1, Episode 24: El Finale!

Season 2

Season 2, Episode 1: Start It Up!

Season 2, Episode 2: Episode #2.2

Season 2, Episode 3: Episode #2.3

Season 2, Episode 4: Episode #2.4

Season 2, Episode 5: Episode #2.5

Season 2, Episode 6: Episode #2.6

Season 2, Episode 7: Episode #2.7

Season 2, Episode 8: Episode #2.8

Season 2, Episode 9: Episode #2.9

Season 2, Episode 10: Episode #2.10

Season 2, Episode 11: Episode #2.11

Season 2, Episode 12: Episode #2.12

Season 2, Episode 13: Episode #2.13

Season 2, Episode 14: Episode #2.14

Season 2, Episode 15: Episode #2.15

Season 2, Episode 16: Episode #2.16

Season 2, Episode 17: Episode #2.17

Season 2, Episode 18: Episode #2.18

Season 2, Episode 19: Episode #2.19

Season 2, Episode 20: Episode #2.20

Season 2, Episode 21: Episode #2.21

Season 2, Episode 22: Episode #2.22

Season 2, Episode 23: Episode #2.23

Season 2, Episode 24: Episode #2.24

Season 2, Episode 25: Episode #2.25

Season 2, Episode 26: Episode #2.26

Season 2, Episode 27: Episode #2.27

Season 2, Episode 28: Episode #2.28

Season 2, Episode 29: Episode #2.29

Season 2, Episode 30: Episode #2.30

Season 2, Episode 31: Episode #2.31

Season 2, Episode 32: Episode #2.32

Season 2, Episode 33: Episode #2.33

Season 2, Episode 34: Episode #2.34

Season 2, Episode 35: Episode #2.35

Season 2, Episode 36: Episode #2.36

Season 2, Episode 37: Episode #2.37

Season 2, Episode 38: Let's Learn About Ruben and Clay!

Season 2, Episode 39: Clay v. Ruben

Season 3

Season 3, Episode 1: Episode #3.1

Season 3, Episode 4: Episode #3.4

Season 3, Episode 7: Episode #3.7

Season 3, Episode 8: Episode #3.8

Episode list for
"American Idol: The Search for a Superstar" (2002)