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American Idol Season 8 Episodes
Season 8 Episode Guide
40 Episodes 2009 - 2009
Episode 1
Phoenix Auditions
Tue, Jan 13, 2009 120 mins
Season 8 kicks off with new judge Kara DioGuardi and returning arbiters Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson rating (and likely berating) a fresh pool of aspiring crooners in Phoenix. Ryan Seacrest hosts.
Episode 2
Kansas City Auditions
Wed, Jan 14, 2009 120 mins
Early auditions continue in Kansas City, Mo., in Season 8's second installment.
Episode 3
San Francisco Auditions
Tue, Jan 20, 2009 61 mins
Singer wannabes render trial performances in San Francisco. Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson are the judges.
Episode 4
Louisville Auditions
Wed, Jan 21, 2009 63 mins
The early auditions continue in Louisville, as Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson appraise trial performances.
Episode 5
Jacksonville Auditions
Tue, Jan 27, 2009 61 mins
The preliminary auditions continue in Jacksonville.
Episode 6
Salt Lake City Auditions
Wed, Jan 28, 2009 60 mins
The preliminary auditions continue in Salt Lake City, with Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson serving as performance judges.
Episode 7
New York City And San Juan, PR Auditions
Thu, Jan 29, 2009 60 mins
New York City and San Juan are the destinations for the final audition round, as judged by Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson.
Episode 8
Hollywood Round #1
Tue, Feb 3, 2009 61 mins
They're going to Hollywood: Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson appraise performances in the first installment of the Hollywood rounds.
Episode 9
Hollywood Round #2
Wed, Feb 4, 2009 60 mins
Hopefuls render performances in the second installment of the Hollywood rounds.
Episode 10
Hollywood Round #3
Tue, Feb 10, 2009 61 mins
The Hollywood rounds continue with the singing hopefuls vying for a position in the Top 36.
Episode 11
Hollywood Round #4
Wed, Feb 11, 2009 120 mins
The Hollywood rounds advance with the unveiling of the Top 36 semifinalists.
Episode 12
Top 36 Finalists Group 1 Perform
Tue, Feb 17, 2009 120 mins
The first 12 of the Top 36 semifinalists perform. Viewer voting begins.
Episode 13
Top 36 Finalists Group 1 Results
Wed, Feb 18, 2009 60 mins
In a results edition, three finalists are chosen---and nine hopefuls are cut.
Episode 14
Top 36 Finalists Group 2 Perform
Wed, Feb 25, 2009 120 mins
Performances by the second set of 12 semifinalists.
Episode 15
Top 36 Finalists Group 2 Results
Thu, Feb 26, 2009 60 mins
In a results installment, three finalists are chosen from the second set of semifinalists---and nine contestants are eliminated.
Episode 16
Top 36 Finalists Group 3 Perform
Tue, Mar 3, 2009 120 mins
Performances by the third and final set of 12 singers.
Episode 17
Top 36 Finalists Group 3 Results
Wed, Mar 4, 2009 60 mins
In a results edition, three finalists are selected from the final pool of 12 performers, and nine singers are eliminated.
Episode 18
Judges' Wild Card
Thu, Mar 5, 2009 60 mins
In a wild-card episode, the judges' favorite remaining contestants compete for a position in the next round of the competition.
Episode 19
Michael Jackson Songbook (Top 13 Perform)
Tue, Mar 10, 2009 120 mins
The Top 13 finalists of Season 8 perform the songs of Michael Jackson. Adam Lambert sings "Black or White" and Kris Allen renders "Remember the Time." Other performances feature "The Way You Make Me Feel"; "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)"; and "Beat It."
Episode 20
2 of 13 Voted Off
Wed, Mar 11, 2009 60 mins
Two Top 13 finalists are eliminated in a results edition. Kelly Clarkson and Kanye West perform.
Episode 21
11 Finalists Compete
Tue, Mar 17, 2009 120 mins
The Top 11 finalists perform, choosing songs from the country genre. Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson are the judges.
Episode 22
1 of 11 Voted Off
Wed, Mar 18, 2009 60 mins
One Top 11 singer is eliminated in a results show. Country artists Carrie Underwood, Randy Travis and Brad Paisley perform.
Episode 23
10 Finalists Compete
Wed, Mar 25, 2009 120 mins
The finalists perform Motown songs in the third showcase edition, with judges Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson offering advice, praise or criticism. Appearing: Motown luminaries Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson.
Episode 24
1 of 10 Voted Off
Thu, Mar 26, 2009 60 mins
The singers face the prospect of elimination in a results show. Smokey Robinson, Ruben Studdard, Joss Stone and Stevie Wonder perform.
Episode 25
Performance Show
Tue, Mar 31, 2009 85 mins
The remaining finalists deliver songs from a wide-spanning genre---pop music. Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson are the judges.
Episode 26
Results Show
Wed, Apr 1, 2009 60 mins
The finalists face elimination in a results show. Season 7 winner David Cook performs, as does singer-songwriter Lady GaGa. Judges: Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson.
Episode 27
Performance Show
Tue, Apr 7, 2009 61 mins
The remaining eight finalists render songs from the year they were born in performance showcases.
Episode 28
Results Show
Wed, Apr 8, 2009 60 mins
The remaining singers come up against elimination in a results edition. Country songstress and Season 5 contestant Kellie Pickler performs the song "Best Days of Your Life." Frankie Avalon and rapper Flo Rida also perform.
Episode 29
Performance Show
Tue, Apr 14, 2009 61 mins
The Top 7 finalists take center stage and interpret songs of the cinema in a performance show. Filmmaker Quentin Tarantino is the guest mentor.
Episode 30
Results Show
Wed, Apr 15, 2009 60 mins
A results show delivers viewer verdicts on performances. Season 3 finalist Jennifer Hudson performs "If This Isn't Love," and Miley Cyrus sings "The Climb."
Episode 31
7 Finalists Compete
Tue, Apr 21, 2009 61 mins
The remaining seven finalists perform disco tunes.
Episode 32
2 of 7 Voted Off
Wed, Apr 22, 2009 60 mins
A results edition features two eliminations. Season 7 contestant David Archuleta performs "A Little Too Not Over You." Also: disco luminaries Harry Wayne "KC" Casey (of KC and the Sunshine Band), Thelma Houston and Freda Payne render a medley of genre gems, including "Get Down Tonight," "Don't Leave Me This Way" and "Band of Gold."
Episode 33
Performance Show
Tue, Apr 28, 2009 61 mins
In a performance edition, the Top 5 singers interpret songs popularized by the Rat Pack, the 1960s gang of cool crooners that included Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr.
Episode 34
Results Show
Wed, Apr 29, 2009 60 mins
One contestant is eliminated in a results edition. Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks performs "Seven Mile Breakdown."
Episode 35
4 Finalists Compete
Tue, May 5, 2009 61 mins
The final four singers take to the stage to deliver rock songs in a performance edition. Rock guitarist Slash (Guns n' Roses, Velvet Revolver) is the guest mentor.
Episode 36
1 of 4 Voted Off
Wed, May 6, 2009 60 mins
One of the final four contestants is eliminated in a results edition. Daughtry and No Doubt perform.
Episode 37
3 Finalists Compete
Tue, May 12, 2009 64 mins
The Top 3 finalists sing two songs each in a performance edition. The show's 300th episode.
Episode 38
1 of 3 Voted Off
Wed, May 13, 2009 60 mins
One of the Top 3 finalists is eliminated in a results edition. Songstress Katy Perry performs "Waking Up in Vegas," and Season 6 winner Jordin Sparks renders "Battlefield." Appearing: comic actors Ben Stiller, Hank Azaria, Jonah Hill and Bill Hader.
Episode 39
2 Finalists Compete
Tue, May 19, 2009 60 mins
The final two contestants compete in Season 8's penultimate episode. Presented from Nokia Theatre L.A. Live.
Episode 40
Winner Revealed
Wed, May 20, 2009 127 mins
The winning singer is revealed in the Season 8 finale, which features a reunion of the Top 13 finalists. From the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live.