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42 Episodes 2008 - 2008
The battle of the Davids (hard-rockin' Cook vs. teen heartthrob Archuleta) was the highlight of a scandal-ridden Season 7.\ The contestants in 2008 spanned the usual array of styles. Among them: sweet, folksy Brooke White, country girl Kristy Lee Cook, tattooed Irish-born rocker Carly Smithson, soulful Australian Michael Johns and laid-back, dreadlocked Jason Castro. But Cook and Archuleta stole the spotlight early on. In the first year contestants were allowed to play musical instruments, both men showcased their abilities, with Cook on guitar and Archuleta on piano. Cook stood out with his song choices and the renditions he chose on tunes such as "Billie Jean" and "Eleanor Rigby." But the boyish grin and consistently strong vocals of 17-year-old Archuleta had his popularity skyrocketing, especially with younger viewers. In fact, neither performer ever landed in the dreaded "bottom three," which made for a nail-biting finale. Archuleta was the media favorite, but Cook garnered 12 million more votes from viewers. The theme weeks in Season 7 challenged the vocalists to perform songs from the 1980s, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Neil Diamond, Dolly Parton, Mariah Carey and the Lennon-McCartney catalog. But they tackled even bigger obstacles with the PR scandals that erupted: from one contestant's lap-dancer past to inappropriate Internet photos and videos, and a controlling stage dad, the "Idol" spin doctors stayed hard at work. Even the judges weren't safe, as questions swirled around Paula Abdul's scattered behavior and her critique of two songs performed by Castro after he only sang one.
Episode 1
Tue, Jan 15, 2008 120 mins
The seventh season begins with auditions in Philadelphia.
Episode 2
Wed, Jan 16, 2008 120 mins
The early auditions continue in Dallas.
Episode 3
Tue, Jan 22, 2008 61 mins
Auditions continue.
Episode 4
Wed, Jan 23, 2008 61 mins
Auditions continue.
Episode 5
Tue, Jan 29, 2008 60 mins
Auditions continue.
Episode 6
Wed, Jan 30, 2008 61 mins
Auditions continue.
Episode 7
Tue, Feb 5, 2008 60 mins
Auditions continue in Atlanta.
Episode 8
Wed, Feb 6, 2008 62 mins
Auditions continue.
Episode 9
Tue, Feb 12, 2008 120 mins
Contestants endure a grueling rehearsal and audition schedule during the Hollywood round as they try to make the Top 24.
Episode 10
Wed, Feb 13, 2008 62 mins
The Top 24 are chosen, including 12 females and 12 males.
Episode 11
Tue, Feb 19, 2008 120 mins
The Top 12 male singers perform songs from the 1960s.
Episode 12
Wed, Feb 20, 2008 120 mins
The Top 12 women perform songs from the 1960s.
Episode 13
Thu, Feb 21, 2008 60 mins
Four contestants---two women and two men---are voted off in the season's first results show.
Episode 14
Tue, Feb 26, 2008 90 mins
The Top 10 male singers perform songs from the 1970s.
Episode 15
Wed, Feb 27, 2008 90 mins
The Top 10 female singers perform songs from the 1970s.
Episode 16
Thu, Feb 28, 2008 60 mins
Four contestants---two males and two females---are voted off.
Episode 17
Tue, Mar 4, 2008 60 mins
The eight remaining male contestants perform songs from the 1980s.
Episode 18
Wed, Mar 5, 2008 60 mins
The eight remaining female contestants perform songs from the 1980s.
Episode 19
Thu, Mar 6, 2008 60 mins
Two males and two females are voted off, and the 12 finalists are revealed. Also: Blake Lewis sings "How Many Words."
Episode 20
Tue, Mar 11, 2008 120 mins
The 12 finalists perform Lennon-McCartney songs.
Episode 21
Wed, Mar 12, 2008 62 mins
One of the 12 finalists is voted off.
Episode 22
Tue, Mar 18, 2008 120 mins
The 11 remaining finalists perform songs by John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
Episode 23
Wed, Mar 19, 2008 62 mins
Kellie Pickler performs "Red High Heels" and one of the 11 remaining finalists is voted off.
Episode 24
Tue, Mar 25, 2008 90 mins
The 10 remaining contestants perform songs from the year of their birth.
Episode 25
Wed, Mar 26, 2008 60 mins
Kimberley Locke performs "Fall," and one of the 10 remaining finalists is voted off.
Episode 26
Tue, Apr 1, 2008 60 mins
Dolly Parton coaches the nine remaining finalists, who then perform her songs.
Episode 27
Wed, Apr 2, 2008 60 mins
Dolly Parton sings "Jesus & Gravity" and the Clark Brothers, the first-season winners of "Next Great American Band," perform. Later, one of the nine remaining finalists is voted off.
Episode 28
Tue, Apr 8, 2008 60 mins
The eight remaining finalists perform inspirational songs.
Episode 29
Wed, Apr 9, 2008 150 mins
The "Idol Gives Back" fund-raiser for U.S. and international charities features appearances by Barack Obama, John McCain, Hillary Clinton, Bono, Mariah Carey, Billy Crystal, Miley Cyrus, Chris Daughtry, Celine Dion, Fergie, John Legend, Annie Lennox, Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, Maroon 5, Brad Pitt, Snoop Dogg, Kiefer Sutherland, Carrie Underwood, Robin Williams and Reese Witherspoon. The 2007 event raised $76 million for charity.
Episode 30
Thu, Apr 10, 2008 60 mins
Chris Brown and Jordin Sparks perform "No Air," and one of the eight remaining finalists is voted off.
Episode 31
Tue, Apr 15, 2008 62 mins
The seven remaining finalists perform songs by Mariah Carey.
Episode 32
Wed, Apr 16, 2008 60 mins
Mariah Carey performs, and one of the remaining seven finalists is voted off.
Episode 33
Tue, Apr 22, 2008 60 mins
The six remaining finalists perform songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Episode 34
Wed, Apr 23, 2008 60 mins
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Leona Lewis perform, and one of the six remaining finalists is voted off.
Episode 35
Tue, Apr 29, 2008 62 mins
The five remaining finalists perform songs by Neil Diamond.
Episode 36
Wed, Apr 30, 2008 60 mins
Neil Diamond performs "Amazing Grace" and Natasha Bedingfield sings "Pocketful of Sunshine." Later, one of the five remaining finalists is voted off.
Episode 37
Tue, May 6, 2008 62 mins
The top four finalists perform.
Episode 38
Wed, May 7, 2008 60 mins
One of the four remaining finalists is voted off.
Episode 39
Tue, May 13, 2008 62 mins
The final three contestants, David Archuleta, David Cook and Syesha Mercado, perform three songs each. They sing a judges' choice, a producers' choice and a song of their own choice.
Episode 40
Wed, May 14, 2008 60 mins
One of the three remaining finalists is voted off.
Episode 41
Tue, May 20, 2008 62 mins
The two finalists perform at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in the seventh season's penultimate episode.
Episode 42
Wed, May 21, 2008 120 mins
The winner of Season 7 is announced. Also: The Top 12 reunite on the stage at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live. Performers include Bryan Adams, George Michael, Graham Nash, OneRepublic, Seal, Ruben Studdard, Donna Summer and ZZ Top. Also appearing are Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr., the Jonas Brothers, Jimmy Kimmel, Gladys Knight, Mike Myers, Jordin Sparks, Ben Stiller and Carrie Underwood.