Episode 1 | Auditions: Boston

"American Idol" - "Auditions: Boston" - January 13, 2010 The "American Idol" machine comes to the Bean to kick off the ninth season. Thousands of people came to Gillette Stadium for their shot at "Idol" glory. Janet is very exci...

Episode 2 | Auditions: Atlanta

"American Idol" - "Auditions: Atlanta" - Jan. 13, 2010 The auditions go south and we get friendly twangs, bad singers, cheerleaders and more on a night when Mary J. Blige is our guest judge. Keia a former Miss Congeniality gets ...

Episode 3 | Auditions: Chicago

"American Idol" - "Chicago" - Jan. 19, 2010 We're in the Windy City and as usual - you guessed it - there are some good singers, some bad ones, some good sports and some cursing jerks. Shania Twain is our guest judge. First up i...

Episode 4 | Auditions: Orlando

"American Idol" - "Auditions: Orlando" - Jan. 20, 2010 We are in the land of Mickey Mouse and bad singers. Tonight's guest judge is Kristin Chenoweth. First up is flamboyant Theo who has a cape and feathers and, of course, a te...

Episode 5 | Auditions: Los Angeles

"American Idol" - "Auditions - Los Angeles" - Jan. 26, 2010 Folks are lined up at the Rose Bowl. We see Ryan on his radio show. He says 11,000 came out. Ryan talks about Hollywood, the epicenter of entertainment. Avril Lavigne ...

Episode 6 | Auditions: Dallas

"American Idol" - "Auditions: Dallas" - Jan. 27, 2010 We are in the Lone Star state and our guest judges are Neil Patrick Harris and Joe Jonas. Ryan says 11,000 have shown up to audition. NPH jokingly says he hopes to make peo...

Episode 7 | Auditions: Denver

"American Idol" - "Auditions: Denver" - Feb. 2, 2010 Ryan promises the altitude will be bring out the tempers, the terrible, and the talent. He reminds us that Daughtry auditioned in Denver in season 5. Posh Spice/Victoria Beckha...

Episode 8 | The Road to Hollywood

"American Idol" - "Auditions: Clean Up" - Feb. 3, 2010 This is the show where we get some of the best auditions, some of the worst, a recap of funny stuff, and lots and lots of montages. We get another look at Gen. Larry Platt a...

Episode 9 | Hollywood Round: Part 1

"American Idol" - "Hollywood Round: Part 1" - Feb. 9, 2010 Finally, we are in Hollywood and Ellen is on board. 181 folks are competing for the top 24 slots. We see folks arriving by bus, car, foot, etc. to the Kodak Theatre. Da...

Episode 10 | Hollywood Round: Part 2

"American Idol" - "Hollywood Round: Part 2"- Feb. 10, 2010 It's Group Day. Or more precisely it's picking your group night. The contestants mill around looking for simpatico singers. We meet a few of the groups. The Dreamers i...

Episode 11 | Hollywood Round: Part 3

"American Idol" - "Hollywood Round: Part 3" - Feb. 16, 2010 It's the final time for the 71 contenders onstage before the final judgement. Over the course of the two hours we see some contestants full Hollywood week journey but mo...

Episode 12 | Hollywood Round: Part 4

"American Idol" - "Hollywood Round: Part 4" - Feb. 17, 2010 We get a quick recap of last night and the seven contestants who have already secured a spot and a promise of the reveal of the final 17 in the top 24. Which means we g...

Episode 13 | Top 12 Female Semifinalists Perform

"American Idol" - Top 12 Female Semifinalists - Feb. 23, 2010 The competition is finally upon us. Ryan introduces us to the ladies who mug for the cameras. The men take their spot to the side of the stage. Ryan explains "the mat...

Episode 14 | Top 12 Male Semifinalists Perform

"American Idol" - Top 12 Male Semifinalists - Feb. 24, 2010 Randy tells the boys to bring it, Kara tells them to manage their nerves, Ellen says it's totally different in the studio then on TV, that if you sound bad there it's wo...

Episode 15 | First Results Show: Two Male and Two Female Contestants Eliminated

"American Idol" - Results Show - Feb. 25, 2010 Ryan says 24 million votes came in and tells us that Alison Iraheta and Kris Allen will be performing. Kris' performance will benefit Haiti. Ryan says Simon's harshness was the "buz...

Episode 16 | Top 10 Male Semifinalists Perform

"American Idol" - Top Ten Female Semifinalists - March 3, 2010 Ryan asks Crystal how she's doing, she says she's a tough cookie and she's ready to compete. Randy says the guys were hot last night and that the girls hopefully wil...

Episode 17 | Top 10 Female Semifinalists Perform

"American Idol" - Top Ten Male Semifinalists - March 2, 2010 The men and the women have switched nights due to an unspecified medical problem for contestant Crystal Bowersox. Randy doesn't think it will be a problem for the boys...

Episode 18 | Results Show: Two Male and Two Female Contestants Eliminated

"American Idol" - Top 20 Results - March 4, 2010 Ryan says 27 million votes came in. Simon says he gave out some compliments last night that he no longer agreed with after watching the show back. Group Sing: "I Gotta Feeling," T...

Episode 19 | Top 8 Female Semifinalists Perform

"American Idol" - Top Eight Ladies Perform - March 9, 2010 After Ryan opens the show, Ellen is sitting on Simon's lap, nuzzling his ear. There is no explanation for this. Simon says the stakes are high. Contestant #1: Katie Ste...

Episode 20 | Top 8 Male Semifinalists Perform

"American Idol" - Top 8 Male Semifinalists - March 10, 2010 Ryan calls Kara Simon's binky. He doesn't understand what that means. Contestant #1:Lee Dewyze Song: "Fireflies," Owl City Performance: I'm not sure this light pop so...

Episode 21 | Results Show: Two Male and Two Female Contestants Eliminated - Finalists Revealed

"American Idol" - Top 12 Revealed - March 11, 2010 At the top of the show Ryan says we might be in for some surprises. Ryan compliments Simon on his performance the night before. They put up an image of Randy's face over "bikini...

Episode 22 | Top 12 Performance: Rolling Stones

"American Idol" - Top 12 Perform - March 16, 2010 Ryan says this is when we begin the countdown to the season finale. We get a video package on the Stones. Tonight we learn a little about the contestants' life back home. Theme:...

Episode 23 | Top 12 Results

"American Idol" - Top 12 Results Show - March 17, 2010 The Irish lighting director does a quick greening of the stage. Simon calls Ryan on his aggressive behavior last night. He asks if Ryan wants his job since it seemed like an...

Episode 24 | Top 11 Performance

"American Idol" - Top 11 Performance Show - March 23, 2010 Randy points out that tonight is a big one because only the Top Ten go on the tour. Ellen says people should vote. Kara says every song has a story and the performers hav...

Episode 25 | Top 11 Results

"American Idol" - Top 11 Results Show - March 24, 2010 Group Sing: "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go," Wham! It is of course cute and perky although some of the lip-synching is tragic. Ford Commercial: "Our Time Now." The gang gets a...

Episode 26 | Top 10 Performance

"American Idol" - Top Ten Performance Show - March 30, 2010 Theme:R&B/Soul Mentor: Usher. We get a video package on the five-time Grammy winner. He promises to be a tough and serious mentor. Live in the studio with Ryan he's say...

Episode 27 | Top 10 Results

"American Idol" - Top Ten Results - March 31, 2010 Performance: Ruben Studdard singing "Don't Make 'Em Like You No More" Looks like the "Velvet Teddy Bear" has lost a bit of his fur, slimming down quite a bit. The song is not muc...

Episode 28 | Top Nine Performance

"American Idol" - Top Nine Performance Show - April 6, 2010 Theme: Lennon/McCartney Songbook We get a video package on the legendary men. Sir Paul McCartney pops up to say hello and wish the contestants good luck. Randy predict...

Episode 29 | Top Nine Results

"American Idol" - Top Nine Results - April 7, 2010 Ryan says there are shocking results coming tonight. Group Sing: A lip-synch of a Lennon/McCartney Medley including "Here, There and Everywhere," "Got To Get You Into My Life,"...

Episode 30 | Top Nine Performance, Part 2

"American Idol" - Top Nine Performance - Take Two - April 13, 2010 Theme: Elvis Presley. The gang took a field trip to see the Presley Cirque du Soleil show and hung out with... Mentor: Adam Lambert. He says his mission is to be...

Episode 31 | Top Nine Results: Two Contestants Eliminated

"American Idol" - Two Contestants Eliminated - April 14, 2010 Ryan says 34 million votes came in last night. Next week's theme is "Inspirational Songs" and Alicia Keys will be the mentor to celebrate "Idol Gives Back." Group Si...

Episode 32 | Top Seven Performance

"American Idol" - Top Seven Performance Show - April 20, 2010 Theme: Inspirational Songs Mentor: Alicia Keys In the audience: Paige Miles, Lacey Brown, and Didi Benami; Capt. "Sully" Sullenberg We get a video package on Keys' ...

Episode 33 | Idol Gives Back/Top Seven Results

"American Idol" - "Idol Gives Back/Top Seven Results" - April 21, 2010 The show kicks off with a taped message from the President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle thanking "Idol" and its viewers for raising money for charity....

Episode 34 | Top Six Performance

Ryan starts off the night reporting that last week's Idol Gives Back raised over $45 million dollars. (To celebrate, he appears to have worn an extra-shiny suit.) Tonight is the music of Shania Twain, who is of course, in the aud...

Episode 35 | Top Six Results

Ryan welcomes us, saying 33 million votes were cast last night. Shakira, Rascal Flatts and Lady Antebellum will be performing. First up, Rascal Flatts, singing "Unstoppable." Ryan mentions it's the band's third time on the show ...

Episode 36 | Top Five Performance

"American Idol" - Top Five Performance Show - May 4, 2010 Theme:Frank Sinatra Mentor:Harry Connick, Jr. We get video packages on both Frank and Harry and the art of interpretation. Harry is not only serving as mentor but he's al...

Episode 37 | Top Five Results

"American Idol" - Top Five Results - May 5, 2010 Group Sing: Frank Sinatra medley including "The Lady is a Tramp," "A Very Good Year," "I've Got the World on a String" Ryan announces next week's theme will be "Songs of the Cine...

Episode 38 | Top Four Performance

"American Idol" - Top Four Performance - May 11, 2010 Theme: Songs from the movies Mentor: Jamie Foxx In the audience: Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel; Video Package: A look at Jamie Foxx. He's in the audience with shirts that sa...

Episode 39 | Top Four Results

"American Idol" - Top Four Results - May 12, 2010 Ryan says 37 million votes came in, a high for the season. In the audience: Police drummer Stewart Copeland Performance: "Bittersweet," Fantasia. She talks about her new album a...

Episode 40 | Top Three Performance

"American Idol" - Top Three Performance - May 18, 2010 The final three get two songs tonight, one of their own choosing and one chosen by a judge. Everybody also goes home for a visit. In the audience: Colin Hanks and Bradley W...

Episode 41 | Top Three Results

"American Idol" - Top Three Results - May 19, 2010 Ryan says 47 million votes came in. He sits around and raps with the contestants about how they're feeling, the competition thus far, their "real lives," how much work the show ...

Episode 42 | Top Two Performance

"American Idol" - Top Two Performance - May 25, 2010 We have moved to the Nokia Theatre for part one of the finale. Crystal gets confused by walking down the aisle but she and Lee make it to the stage. Crystal won the coin toss...

Episode 43 | Finale: Winner Revealed

"American Idol" - Finale - May 26, 2010 Ryan announces that there was a less than two percent difference in votes between Crystal and Lee. Group Sing The top twelve sings "School's Out" by Alice Cooper with Alice Cooper and Oria...