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26 Episodes 2006 - 2007
Episode 1
Sat, Sep 30, 2006 60 mins
Ryan Seacrest hosts this look at the "American Idol" phenomenon and why it became such a huge hit, with remarks by Simon Cowell, Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barino, executive producers Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick, and celebrity fans.
Episode 2
Sat, Oct 7, 2006 60 mins
A look at the first round of auditions from Season 1 and the contestants' first taste of Simon Cowell's scathing comments.
Episode 3
Sat, Oct 14, 2006 60 mins
First-season auditions in Chicago and Dallas.
Episode 4
Sat, Oct 21, 2006 60 mins
First-season auditions in Atlanta and Seattle.
Episode 5
Sat, Oct 28, 2006 60 mins
First-season auditions in New York and Miami.
Episode 6
Sat, Nov 4, 2006 60 mins
Judges and finalists from Season 1 comment on their experiences.
Episode 7
Sat, Nov 11, 2006 60 mins
A look at Season 1's second-round auditions in Hollywood, beginning with the arrivals of the 121 contestants.
Episode 8
Sat, Nov 18, 2006 60 mins
A look at the final cut during Season 1's Hollywood auditions, which whittled the contestants from 45 to 30.
Episode 9
Sat, Nov 25, 2006 60 mins
A look back as Season 1's field of 30 is narrowed to 15. Included: new interviews with contestants.
Episode 10
Sat, Feb 3, 2007 60 mins
Contestants perform with only a piano as accompaniment and just Simon, Randy and Paula for an audience.
Episode 11
Sat, Feb 10, 2007 60 mins
The second group of 10 from the Top 30 sings for the judges.
Episode 12
Sat, Feb 17, 2007 60 mins
The final 10 from the Top 30 compete.
Episode 13
Sat, Feb 24, 2007 60 mins
A wild-card contestant is picked to join the Top 10.
Episode 14
Sat, Mar 3, 2007 60 mins
The final 10 contestants perform with an orchestra.
Episode 15
Sat, Mar 10, 2007 60 mins
The final eight tackle songs from the 1960s. Simon says one contestant was "dreadful," while another performer ignores Simon's opinion and asks the audience what they thought.
Episode 16
Sat, Mar 17, 2007 60 mins
The seven remaining finalists perform songs from the 1970s. In a 2006 interview, Ryan Starr discusses her "Idol" experience.
Episode 17
Sat, Mar 24, 2007 60 mins
Big-band-era songs are performed by the final six contestants.
Episode 18
Sat, Mar 31, 2007 60 mins
A look at the five finalists includes their experiences, their nicknames and how they dealt with their newfound fame.
Episode 19
Sat, Apr 7, 2007 60 mins
Burt Bacharach coaches the five remaining finalists, who sing his "That's What Friends Are For" together, then each perform a Bacharach tune alone.
Episode 20
Sat, Apr 14, 2007 60 mins
The final four perform songs from the 1980s and '90s.
Episode 21
Sat, Apr 21, 2007 60 mins
The final three each perform a song of their own choosing and one selected by the judges.
Episode 22
Sat, Apr 28, 2007 60 mins
The two finalists, Justin Guarini and Kelly Clarkson, perform three songs each, and U.K. "Pop Idol" winner Will Young performs.
Episode 23
Sat, May 5, 2007 60 mins
A Season 1 recap, from the auditions to the final episode.
Episode 24
Sat, May 12, 2007 60 mins
The results of Season 1's finale are shown.
Episode 25
Sat, May 19, 2007 60 mins
Profiles of Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini.
Episode 26
Sat, May 26, 2007 60 mins
A look at the whereabouts of Season 1's Top 10 finalists.