Episode 1 | Auditions: Phoenix

Episode 2 | Auditons: Kansas City

Episode 3 | Auditions: San Francisco

"American Idol" - Jan. 20, 2009 San Francisco Auditions Ryan gives us a history lesson on previous San Francisco "Idol" hopefuls including Katharine McPhee and William Hung as we see the judges arrive and the lines of auditioner...

Episode 4 | Auditons: Louisville

"American Idol" - Jan. 21, 2009 Louisville Auditions The auditions are being held at the racetrack Churchill Downs. We get a montage of Louisville sights including the Kentucky Derby. We see the 11,000 contestants arrive and exp...

Episode 5 | Auditions: Jacksonville

"American Idol" - Auditions - Jan. 27, 2009 Jacksonville, FL Simon and Ryan head to the auditions in a limo. Simon gives Ryan a hard time for using his "announcer" voice. The show opens with video of Randy playing with Journey ...

Episode 6 | Auditions: Salt Lake City

"American Idol" - Jan. 28, 2009 Auditions- Salt Lake City We get a look at the line of hopefuls at 5 a.m. and then a little later in the day. They're very chipper. The judges are hopeful about the talent. Ryan brings up the Osm...

Episode 7 | Auditions: NYC/San Juan

"American Idol" - Jan. 29, 2009 Auditions - Puerto Rico & New York Ryan is all excited that they're bringing us two cities in one show! We see all the hopefuls in both places. We meet Adeola who quit her job the day before bec...

Episode 8 | Hollywood Round No. 1

"American Idol" - "Hollywood Round No. 1" - Feb. 3, 2009 We see a montage of the audition cities and Ryan tells us that over 100,000 people tried out. 147 made it to Hollywood. We see the Kodak Theatre and past winners. It's the...

Episode 9 | Hollywood Round No. 2

"American Idol" - "Hollywood Round No. 2" - Feb. 4, 2009 We are down to 107 contestants and Ryan tells us that there will be tears, triumph, and tragedy in the group round. We get a recap of Round 1. The contestants split into ...

Episode 10 | Hollywood Round No. 3

"American Idol" - Hollywood Round No. 3 - Feb. 10, 2009 It's Day 4 and we're down to 72 and it's time for single performances with the band and back-up singers, and instruments of their own if the hopefuls so choose. We start wi...

Episode 11 | Hollywood Round No. 4: Top 36 Chosen

"American Idol" - Hollywood Round #4-Top 36 Chosen - Feb. 11, 2009 The final 54 enter the mansion where their fate will be decided. (That number also explains my fuzzy math last night, I was forgetting the whole walk of shame/fin...

Episode 12 | Group 1 Performs

"American Idol" - The First 12 - Feb. 17, 2009 The first twelve of the top 36 begin competing for a spot in the top 12. Three slots will be taken from this group. Ryan introduces the judges. He asks Randy what the contestants ne...

Episode 13 | Group 1 Results

"American Idol" - Picking the First Three - Feb. 18, 2009 Ryan says there were 24 million votes cast last night. Judge banter about Simon being a dissappointment after the show. Nudge, nudge, wink, wink. Ryan asks Simon to rate K...

Episode 14 | Group 2 Performs

"American Idol" - Second Group of 12 - Feb. 25, 2009 Ryan introduces last week's winners Michael, Alexis, and Danny and the judges. Randy says the second 12 have an advantage from watching last week. Kara says to do the best they...

Episode 15 | Group 2 Results

"American Idol" - Next 3 of 12 - Feb. 26, 2009 Seacrest tells us there were 25 million votes. We get a recap of how this 12 arrived. Group Sing: "Closer," Ne-Yo. This sounds fine, unremarkable. The most interesting thing about ...

Episode 16 | Group 3 Performs

"American Idol" - Third Group of 12 - March 3, 2009 The final group of 12 from the top 36 performs. Ryan introduces the six who've already made it through and the judges. Contestant #1: Von Smith, 22 Video Clip: This is a drea...

Episode 17 | Group 3 Results

"American Idol" - Last Group of Three Chosen/Wild Cards Revealed- March 4, 2009 Group Sing: An abysmal version of Katy Perry's abysmal song "Hot and Cold" with abysmal chair choreography. We get a recap of how this group of 12 a...

Episode 18 | Wild Card

"American Idol" - Wild Card Round - March 5, 2009 Ryan introduces those already through to the top 12 and the judges. Contestant #1: Jesse Langseth Video Clip: She's grateful. Song: "Tell Me Somethin' Good," Rufus and Chaka Kh...

Episode 19 | The Top 13 Finalists Perform

"American Idol" - Top 13 Finalists Perform - March 10, 2009 Ryan gives us the open and an announcer introduces the judges as they walk out onto the stage, which was apparently Simon's idea. We get an overhead shot of the big stag...

Episode 20 | Live Results Show: Two Contestants Eliminated

"American Idol" - Two Contestants Eliminated - March 11, 2009 Ryan reminds us that it's going to be a double elimination and that some new rule will be going into effect. 33 million votes were cast. Ryan shows us pictures of Je...

Episode 21 | The Top 11 Finalists Perform

"American Idol" - Top 11 Performs - March 17, 2009 Ryan points out that the ten who make it, make the cut for the summer tour. In the audience: Randy Travis Theme:Country music/Grand Ole Opry Video Package: Info on the Grand O...

Episode 22 | Live Results Show: One Contestant Eliminated

"American Idol" - Results Show - March 18, 2009 Recap of last night's performances Group Sing "T-R-O-U-B-L-E," Travis Tritt. They continue with the lip synching routine so it's pointless to discuss. Ford Commercial:"Here it Goe...

Episode 23 | The Top 10 Finalists Perform

"American Idol" - Top 10 Finalists Perform - March 25, 2009 Ryan and the judges banter about last week and their hopes for tonight. Theme: Motown Video Package: We get a recap of Motown's venerable 50 year history. We get a loo...

Episode 24 | Live Results Show: One Contestant Eliminated

"American Idol" - Results Show - March 26, 2009 We get a recap of last night. In the Audience: Group Sing: The ladies start with "You Keep Me Hangin' On." Scott and Matt join Allison and Lil for "You're All I Need to Get To By"...

Episode 25 | The Top Nine Finalists Perform

"American Idol" - Top Nine Performance Show - March 31, 2009 Ryan banters with the judges. Randy thought it was hot last week. Kara talks about artistry: taking a song you've heard a million times and making it unique. Theme: An...

Episode 26 | Live Results Show: One Contestant Eliminated

"American Idol" - Top Nine Results Show - April 1, 2009 Ryan informs us that 36 million votes came in and banters with the judges In the audience: Jason Castro, Alexis Grace Ford Commercial: "Mixed Up." It's a tri-level screen ...

Episode 27 | The Top Eight Finalists Perform

"American Idol" - Top Eight Performance Show - April 7, 2009 Theme: The year the contestant was born. Because of this we're going to see baby pictures throughout the night so we get to see some of the judges as well. Contestant ...

Episode 28 | Live Results Show: One Contestant Eliminated

"American Idol" - Top 8 Results Show - April 8, 2009 Ryan banters with the judges. Randy was disappointed with last night's performances. Kara thinks some early frontrunners are having an identity crisis and others are very sure ...

Episode 29 | The Top Seven Finalists Perform

"American Idol" - Top Seven Finalists Perform - April 14, 2009 Theme: Movie Songs In the audience: Little Steven Van Zandt; Katie Couric; Quentin Tarantino who is tonight's mentor. Video Package: We get an overview of Tarantino...

Episode 30 | Live Results Show

"American Idol" - Top Seven Results - April 14, 2009 Ford Commercial: "Freeze Frame," J. Geils Band. The gang dances and sings the song on the covers of magazines. Group Sing: "Maniac," Michael Sembello. They're still singing li...

Episode 31 | The Top Seven Finalists Perform

"American Idol" - Top Seven Finalists Perform Again - April 21, 2009 Theme: Disco In the Crowd: Vince Neil of Motley Crue; Contestant #1: Lil Rounds Song: "I'm Every Woman," Chaka Khan Performance: Doing what the judges told ...

Episode 32 | Live Results Show: Two Contestants Eliminated

"American Idol" - Two Contestants Eliminated - April 22, 2009 Ryan says 45 million votes came in, the most of the season. Video Package: Paula choreographs the group sing. Group Sing: Disco Medley: "Shake Your Body Down to the ...

Episode 33 | The Top Five Finalists Perform

"American Idol" - Top Five Perform - April 28, 2009 Theme: Standards from the Rat Pack Era Video: The Idols meet their mystery mentor, it's... Jamie Foxx. So we get a video package on Jamie's acting and music career. He wants to...

Episode 34 | Live Results Show: One Contestant Eliminated

One contestant is faced with elimination; former "American Idol" winner Taylor Hicks performs a song from his latest album.

Episode 35 | The Top Four Finalists Perform

"American Idol" - Top Four Finalists Perform - May 5, 2009 Theme: Rock and Roll Ryan tells us there was an accident on the set so the contestants didn't have their normal dress rehearsal. He also tells us that the contestants ar...

Episode 36 | Live Results Show: One Contestant Eliminated

"American Idol" - Final Four Results Show - May 6, 2009 Ford Commercial: "Move Along." The Idols are on billboards and magazine covers and come to life in one dimensional form and get in a Ford and drive away. Group Sing: "Schoo...

Episode 37 | The Top Three Finalists Perform

"American Idol" - Top Three Performance Show - May 12, 2009 Theme: Judges' Choice/Personal Choice In the audience: "Lie to Me" co-star Kelli Williams; Jillian Barberie; Nigel Lythgoe; Contestant #1: Danny Gokey Song: "Dance Li...

Episode 38 | Live Results Show: One Contestant Eliminated

"American Idol" - Top 3 Results Show- May 13, 2009 Ryan tells us that only one million votes separate the top two vote-getters. In the Audience: Kevin Bacon; David Alan Grier; the rest of the top ten Ford Commercial: "Break My ...

Episode 39 | The Final Two Perform

"American Idol" - Final Two Performance Show - May 19, 2009 Theme: Three songs each: Contestant's choice of a favorite from the season; producer Simon Fuller's choice; the song co-written by Kara which will be the first single. ...

Episode 40 | Finale

"American Idol" - Finale - May 20, 2009 Ryan tells us a record of nearly 100 million votes came in. As Ryan intros the judges we get video packages of each of them with montages of their tics: Randy "for me for you," Kara "sweet...