Episode 1 | Auditions No. 1: New York/New Jersey

"American Idol" - "Auditions #1" - Jan. 19, 2011 The tenth season of "Idol" kicks off with a grand-- and long-- introduction of new judges, Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez, and mentor Jimmy Iovine. And, oh yeah...

Episode 2 | Auditions No. 2: New Orleans

"American Idol" - "Auditions #2-New Orleans"- Jan. 20, 2011 New Orleans is the second audition city and we get lots of montages of stereotypical NOLA/southern stuff: Mardi Gras, the French Quarter, alligators, outtakes of Ryan fr...

Episode 3 | Auditions No. 3

The "American Idol" auditions landed in Milwaukee, Wisc., for the first time in 10 seasons (yes, that's "ever"). And Season 8 favorite and Milwaukee native Danny Gokey was on hand to help excite the crowd. But the first big audi...

Episode 4 | Auditions No. 4

"American Idol" - Auditions: Nashville - Jan. 27, 2010 Auditions in Nashville start in a high note, literally as an aspirant is asked to hit a high one and does, if not exactly well or pleasantly. We get an opening package focus...

Episode 5 | Auditions No. 5

"American Idol" - Austin Auditions - Feb. 2, 2011 The night starts with a joke that Steven Tyler's outrageous behavior in previous auditions and assures it won't happen again and then show us a rhymes with "duck" moment he has wi...

Episode 6 | Auditions No. 6

"American Idol" - Auditions: Los Angeles- Feb. 3, 2011 We start with a montage of singers who were put through in other cities before we touch down in L.A. First up is Victoria Garrett who is a true believer in both the lord and...

Episode 7 | Auditions No. 7

"American Idol" - Auditions #7: San Francisco - Feb. 9, 2011 The cold open is a tearful woman who claims she was rejected because she farted. Ryan says the judges claim they'll be tough. First up is a very confident young girl...

Episode 8 | Hollywood Round: Part 1

"American Idol" - First Day of Hollywood- Feb. 10, 2011 Ryan tells us 327 people made it through.We see many of them arrive, very excited to "live the dream." Randy informs the assembled that this is "make it or break it" time. ...

Episode 9 | Hollywood Round, Part 1

"American Idol" - Hollywood Week - Feb. 16, 2011 It's group round time and Ryan promises drama. It's 8:30 and the 168 people who survived the first cuts are celebrating. But now it's time to split up into groups and learn a son...

Episode 10 | Hollywood Round, Part 2

"American Idol" - Hollywood Round - Feb. 17, 2011 The remaining 100 sit in a holding room "emotionally exhausted" and "physically drained" according to Ryan. we see the judges go over the pictures on the table. Folks rehearse fo...

Episode 11 | Las Vegas Round

"American Idol" - Las Vegas Round- Feb. 23, 2011 We pick up where we left off last week with all of the happy folks celebrating their continued survival and then the judges inform them that they're headed to Vegas the next day. T...

Episode 12 | Top 24 Semifinalists Announced

"American Idol"- Top 24 Semifinalists Announced- Feb. 24, 2011 We continue JLo's meltdown and get back to the long walks, the fake-outs, and the devastation, in the airplane hangar tonight. First: Karen Rodriguez She sang her f...

Episode 13 | Semifinalists Perform, Part 1

"American Idol" - Top 12 Male Semi-Finalists Perform - March 1, 2011 Ryan asks Randy how it feels to be sitting at the table with Steven and JLo. Randy unsurprisingly loves it and is very excited. No theme this week. The contest...

Episode 14 | Semifinalists Perform, Part 2

American Idol Top 12 Women Perform March 2, 2011 Theme: Any song they want Contestant: Ta-Tynisa Wilson The girl with the big fluffy hair Song: Only Girl in the World, Rihanna Performance: The belting parts are good but a few ...

Episode 15 | First Results Show and Finalists Announced

"American Idol" - First Results Show - March 3, 2011 Ryan informs us we are live and tonight will have the largest cut ever made at this point in the season. He also says 40 million votes came in. The top 24 is introduced alphab...

Episode 16 | Finalists Compete

"American Idol" - Top 13 Peformance Show - March 9, 2011 Theme: A song by my idol Contestant: Lauren Alaina Song: "Any Man of Mine," Shania Twain. Lauren thinks Shania was the first female performer to mix country and pop. She ...

Episode 17 | One Voted Off

"American Idol" - Top 13 Results - March 10, 2011 Ryan tells us that 30 million votes came in last night. He tells us that the save is back in effect, it can be used one time before the top 5. Ryan informs us that Casey is sick ...

Episode 18 | Finalists Compete

Contestants perform songs from the year they were born.

Episode 19 | One Voted Off

"American Idol" - One Voted Off - March 17, 2011 Ryan expresses thanks to the viewers for their support of the Red Cross for relief in Japan. In the audience: Marc Anthony, Pitbull Group Sing:"Born to Be Wild," Steppenwolf/"Bo...

Episode 20 | 11 Finalists Compete

"American Idol" - Top 11 Performance Show - March 23, 2011 Theme: Motown Video Package: A retrospective on Motown history In the audience: Liv Tyler, Brad Whitford of Aerosmith, Gordon Ramsay, Jennifer Beals Contestant:Casey A...

Episode 21 | 1 of 11 Voted Off

"American Idol" - Top 11 Results - March 24, 2011 We open with another video package on Motown and a recap of last night leading into the credits. Ryan tells us that 30 million votes came in and the results might be shocking. He...

Episode 22 | 11 Finalists Compete Again

"American Idol" - Top 11 Performance Show... Again- March 30, 2011 We start with a recap of the dramatic save and some behind-the-scenes stuff. We then get a video package on the career of Elton John and how awesome he is. We t...

Episode 23 | 2 of 11 Voted Off

"American Idol" - Two of 11 Voted Off - March 31, 2011 Ryan tells us 55 million votes came in. In the audience: Kris Allen Group Sing: It happens in small groups tonight. First up are Lauren and Scotty, who sing "I Told You So,...

Episode 24 | 9 Finalists Compete

"American Idol" - Top Nine Performance Show - April 6, 2011 Ryan tells us that Gwen Stefani styled the contestants and will.i.am helped coach them. Theme: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame In the audience: Christian Slater; Todd Rundg...

Episode 25 | 1 of 9 Voted Off

"American Idol" - Top Nine Results - April 7, 2011 Ryan tells us it may be a shocking result tonight. Group Sing: It's a medley of rock songs including "I Love Rock 'n Roll," "The Letter," and "Sweet Home Alabama." Ford Commerc...

Episode 26 | 8 Finalists Compete

"American Idol" - Top 8 Performance Show - April 13, 2011 Ryan notes that JLo has been named the "World's Most Beautiful Woman" by People magazine. In the audience: Hank Azaria, Rob Reiner, Elvira Theme: Songs from the movies ...

Episode 27 | 1 of 8 Voted Off

"American Idol" - Top 8 Results Show- April 14, 2011 Ryan tells us 53 million votes came in. In the audience: Chaka Khan, Anita Baker, Pia Toscano Group Sing #1: Lauren and Scotty do Lady Antebellum's "American Honey" Video pa...

Episode 28 | 7 Finalists Compete

"American Idol" - Top 7 Performance Show - April 20, 2011 Theme: Songs of the 21st Century Group Sing: Naima, Thia, Pia, Ashthon, Karen, and Paul return to sing Pink's "So What." A glimpse of a future tour number? Contestant: S...

Episode 29 | 1 of 7 Voted Off

"American Idol" - Top 7 Results Show - April 21, 2011 Ryan says 52 million votes came in last night. In the audience: Group Sing #1: "Hey, Soul Sister," Lauren, Haley, Stefano, and Jacob. Ouch. Ford Commercial: "World," The ki...

Episode 30 | 6 Finalists Compete

Ryan reminds us the 125,000 have been winnowed to six. We're introduced. Casey looks like he just woke up. The judges stroll out. Ryan tells us we're less a month away from the finale. Tonight's theme comes from Carole King, who ...

Episode 31 | 1 of 6 Voted Off

Open with Ryan explaining the nature of elimination shows, followed by giving us his uber-dramatic "this . . . is American Idol. " The judges are introduced and Ryan walks onto the stage. Ryan assures us that a lot of fans will b...

Episode 32 | Five Finalists Compete

"American Idol" - Top Five Performance Show - May 4, 2011 Theme: Now and Then In the audience: Anthony Hopkins; Kelly Preston; Video Package: We get a rundown on tonight's guest mentor Sheryl Crow, invited by Jimmy Iovine. She...

Episode 33 | One of Five Voted Off

"American Idol" - Top Five Results Show - May 5, 2011 Ryan says 60 million votes came in, the highest of the season. Ryan holds up Steven's new book. In the audience: Former contestant Rachel Zevita; Group Sing: "Happy Togethe...

Episode 34 | Four Finalists Compete

"American Idol" - Top Four Performance Show - May 11, 2011 Theme: Leiber & Stoller and Inspirational Songs Mentor: Lady Gaga Contestant: James Durbin Song: Inspirational: "Don't Stop Believin,'" Journey Performance: He has th...

Episode 35 | One of Four Voted Off

"American Idol" - Top Four Results Show - May 12, 2011 Ryan says 72 million votes came in last night, the highest top four vote ever. Group Sing: James and Scotty perform Brad Paisley's "Start a Band" Group Sing: Haley and Laur...

Episode 36 | Three Finalists Compete

"American Idol" - Top Three Performance - May 18, 2011 Theme: Three songs: contestants' choice, Jimmy's choice, judges choice In the audience: Elijah Wood and his "Wilfred" co-star; Priscilla Presley; Neil Sedaka Mentor: Beyonc...

Episode 37 | One of Three Voted Off

"American Idol" Top Three Results Show May 19, 2011 Ryan says 95 million votes came in. In the audience: Previous season 10 contestants Stefano, Casey, Karen, Jacob, Paul, Naima, Pia, Ashthon Video Package: James, Lauren, Haley...

Episode 38 | Two Finalists Compete

"American Idol" - Top Two Performance Show- May 24, 2011 Ryan reminds us this is the youngest finale match-up ever. Ryan talks to the show doctor about how Lauren blew out one of her vocal cords but she's going to do great. Them...

Episode 39 | Finale

"American Idol" - Finale - May 25, 2011 The opening reminds us that 125,000 people auditioned. Ryan says a record was set last night with 122 million votes. In the audience; Previous contestant Michael Johns and winners David C...