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American Idol Season 9 Episodes
Season 9 Episode Guide
43 Episodes 2010 - 2010
Episode 1
Season Premiere, Part 1
Tue, Jan 12, 2010 120 mins
Part 1 of 2. The talent contest kicks off Season 9 with open auditions in Boston. Victoria Beckham serves as a guest judge.
Episode 2
Season Premiere, Part 2
Wed, Jan 13, 2010 60 mins
Auditions continue in Atlanta in the conclusion of the Season 9 opener. Mary J. Blige is the guest judge.
Episode 3
Auditions #3: Chicago
Tue, Jan 19, 2010 60 mins
Preliminary auditions continue when the judges breeze into the Windy City. Country singer Shania Twain is the guest judge.
Episode 4
Auditions #4: Orlando
Wed, Jan 20, 2010 60 mins
Auditions continue in Orlando. Kristin Chenoweth is the guest judge.
Episode 5
Auditions #5: Los Angeles
Tue, Jan 26, 2010 60 mins
Los Angeles serves as the setting for open auditions. Pop songstresses Avril Lavigne and Katy Perry are the guest judges.
Episode 6
Auditions #6: Dallas
Wed, Jan 27, 2010 60 mins
The judges search for lone stars in the Lone Star State when open auditions are held in Dallas. Neil Patrick Harris and Joe Jonas are the guest judges.
Episode 7
Auditions #7: Denver
Tue, Feb 2, 2010 60 mins
The star search continues with preliminary tryouts in Denver. Victoria Beckham is the guest judge.
Episode 8
Road to Hollywood
Wed, Feb 3, 2010 60 mins
The preliminary auditions conclude with a "Road to Hollywood" installment. Guest judges: Victoria Beckham, Mary J. Blige, Kristin Chenoweth, Joe Jonas, Neil Patrick Harris, Avril Lavigne, Katy Perry and Shania Twain.
Episode 9
Hollywood Round #1
Tue, Feb 9, 2010 61 mins
The Hollywood round begins with nation-spanning golden-ticket winners arriving in California. They struggle through punishing rehearsals and nerve-jangling auditions in the hopes of winning a slot in the Top 24.
Episode 10
Hollywood Round #2
Wed, Feb 10, 2010 60 mins
The golden-ticket winners perform again in the second heat of the Hollywood round.
Episode 11
Hollywood Round #3
Tue, Feb 16, 2010 120 mins
The Hollywood round continues, with a gradually dwindling contingent of contestants vying for a slot in the Top 24.
Episode 12
Hollywood Round #4/Top 24 Chosen
Wed, Feb 17, 2010 60 mins
Season 9's semifinalists are unveiled as the Hollywood round concludes.
Episode 13
Top 12 Girls Compete
Tue, Feb 23, 2010 120 mins
The semifinal round kicks off with the Top 12 female singers delivering performances. Viewer voting begins.
Episode 14
Top 12 Boys Compete
Wed, Feb 24, 2010 120 mins
The semifinal round advances with the Top 12 male singers taking to the stage.
Episode 15
4 Finalists Eliminated
Thu, Feb 25, 2010 60 mins
In Season 9's first results show, two male semifinalists and two female semifinalists are eliminated. Past contestants Allison Iraheta and Kris Allen perform.
Episode 16
Ten Boys Perform
Tue, Mar 2, 2010 120 mins
The semifinal round continues with 10 male singers performing.
Episode 17
Ten Girls Perform
Wed, Mar 3, 2010 120 mins
The semifinal round continues with 10 female contestants performing.
Episode 18
4 Finalists Eliminated
Thu, Mar 4, 2010 60 mins
Two male semifinalists and two female semifinalists are eliminated in a results installment.
Episode 19
Top 8 Girls Compete
Tue, Mar 9, 2010 60 mins
Eight female semifinalists deliver performances.
Episode 20
Top 8 Boys Compete
Wed, Mar 10, 2010 60 mins
Eight male semifinalists perform.
Episode 21
4 Finaliists Eliminated; Top 12 Revealed
Thu, Mar 11, 2010 60 mins
Four semifinal contestants are eliminated and the Top 12 finalists are revealed. Former contestants Scott MacIntyre and Matt Giraud perform Billy Joel's "Tell Her About It."
Episode 22
Top 12 Perform
Tue, Mar 16, 2010 120 mins
The final round begins when the newly minted Top 12 finalists---six males and six females---deliver performances of songs by the Rolling Stones.
Episode 23
1 of 12 Voted Off
Wed, Mar 17, 2010 60 mins
One of the Top 12 finalists is eliminated in a results edition. Kesha and Orianthi perform, as does David Cook, who sings the Rolling Stones song "Jumpin' Jack Flash."
Episode 24
Top 11 Perform
Tue, Mar 23, 2010 120 mins
The final round advances with the Top 11 singers rendering genre-spanning Number 1 hits from Billboard's Top 100 list. Pop singer Miley Cyrus serves as the singers' mentor.
Episode 25
1 of 11 Voted Off
Wed, Mar 24, 2010 60 mins
One of the Top 11 finalists is sent packing in a results installment. Miley Cyrus, Joe Jonas and Demi Lovato perform.
Episode 26
Top 10 Perform
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 120 mins
The Top 10 finalists perform soul and R&B numbers. Usher is the musical mentor.
Episode 27
1 of 10 Voted Off
Wed, Mar 31, 2010 60 mins
One of the Top 10 finalists is eliminated in a results episode. Performers: Ruben Studdard; Diddy; and Usher and will.i.am.
Episode 28
9 Finalists Compete
Tue, Apr 6, 2010 120 mins
The nine finalists perform the songs of John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
Episode 29
1 of 9 Voted Off
Wed, Apr 7, 2010 60 mins
One of the final nine singers is eliminated in a results show. Jason Derulo performs, Rihanna sings "Rock Star 101," and former contestant David Archuleta reimagines the John Lennon song "Imagine."
Episode 30
9 Finalists Compete Again
Tue, Apr 13, 2010 88 mins
The nine remaining finalists perform the songs of Elvis Presley. Season 8 runner-up Adam Lambert serves as the mentor.
Episode 31
2 of 9 Voted Off
Wed, Apr 14, 2010 60 mins
Two of the nine final singers are eliminated in a results episode. Season 8 contestant Adam Lambert sings "Whataya Want From Me," and Brooke White and Justin Gaston perform a duet.
Episode 32
7 Finalists Compete
Tue, Apr 20, 2010 60 mins
The seven remaining contestants perform inspirational songs. Alicia Keys is the mentor.
Episode 33
1 of 7 Voted Off/Idol Gives Back
Wed, Apr 21, 2010 120 mins
One of the Top 7 singers is slated to be eliminated in an "Idol Gives Back" episode, which features performances by Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood, Black Eyed Peas, Annie Lennox, Elton John, Jeff Beck, Joss Stone and Mary J. Blige. The initiative raises funds for U.S. and global charities, including Children's Health Fund, Feeding America, Malaria No More, Save the Children's U.S. Programs and the United Nations Foundation. Queen Latifah emcees the performance portion of the show.
Episode 34
6 Finalists Compete
Tue, Apr 27, 2010 60 mins
The six remaining finalists perform the tunes of country songstress Shania Twain, who serves as the mentor.
Episode 35
1 of 6 Voted Off
Wed, Apr 28, 2010 60 mins
One of the final six contestants is ousted in a results installment. Shakira performs, as do country collectives Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts and Sons of Sylvia.
Episode 36
5 Finalists Compete
Tue, May 4, 2010 60 mins
The five remaining singers perform from the songbook of Frank Sinatra. Harry Connick Jr. is the guest mentor.
Episode 37
1 of 5 Voted Off
Wed, May 5, 2010 60 mins
One of the final five singers is eliminated. Harry Connick Jr. and Lady Gaga perform.
Episode 38
4 Finalists Compete
Tue, May 11, 2010 60 mins
The four still-standing singers perform songs of the cinema. Jamie Foxx is the mentor.
Episode 39
1 of 4 Voted Off
Wed, May 12, 2010 60 mins
One of the four remaining contestants is ousted in a results episode. Bon Jovi, Daughtry and Fantasia perform.
Episode 40
3 Finalists Compete
Tue, May 18, 2010 60 mins
The final three contestants each perform two songs---one a judges' choice and the other a choice of their own.
Episode 41
1 of 3 Voted Off
Wed, May 19, 2010 60 mins
One of the three remaining singers is eliminated. Travis Garland performs and Justin Bieber sings "Baby" and "U Smile."
Episode 42
2 Finalists Compete
Tue, May 25, 2010 60 mins
In Part 1 of the two-part finale, the remaining two contestants battle it out in song. Season 9's final performance showcase.
Episode 43
Winner Revealed
Wed, May 26, 2010 127 mins
The winning singer is named in the conclusion of the Season 9 finale. Included: a reunion of the Top 12 contestants.