The essential episodes of American Idol
Watch these 15 in order and you've got American Idol — each pick states its reason.
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The No. 1 show on television returns with an all-new season, new contestants and the best and worst of auditions. For Season Six, AMERICAN IDOL traveled to Los Angeles, San Antonio, Birmingham, Memphis, New York City, Minneapolis and Seattle in search of the next American Idol.
- 03
AMERICAN IDOL continues its search for the next singing superstar with an all-new hour featuring the best and worst of auditions from San Diego, CA.
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- 08
In part one of the two-night season finale, the Top 3 finalists visit their hometowns to celebrate their time on the show then return to the Idol stage for their last chance to win America's vote, as the search for America's next superstar continues.
- 09
Auditions continue in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; Louisville; and Los Angeles. Included: two of the most powerful auditions in "Idol" history.
- 10
Hollywood Week - Genre Challenge
Following Sunday's final round of auditions to find its next superstar, "American Idol" immediately heads to Hollywood to kick off the iconic "Hollywood Week" with all-new twists.
- 11
"American Idol" continues its journey to find the next superstar on the original music competition series. Auditions across California - Los Angeles, San Diego and Ojai - continue as the all-star judges bring laughs, emotions and surprises in the search for America's next singing sensation.
- 12
As the final auditions across Los Angeles, California; Austin, Texas; and Nashville, Tennessee, come to an end, the show's iconic judge auditions will surprise audiences and hopefuls alike with never-before-seen twists; and the final Platinum Ticket winner is revealed.
- 13
The judges search New Orleans, Las Vegas and Nashville, Tenn., to find the next singing sensation.
- 14
Superstar judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie share where their own dreams began with trips to their hometowns, bringing heart, laughter and antics to another round of auditions in search of the next American Idol.
- 15
The top three give their final performances in a star-studded night with music legends and top stars; this year's winner is revealed.
Shows like American Idol
The closest matches on shared genres, ranked by match strength and popularity.
- 01MusicThe essential episodes of The Voice2011–present·NBC
The Voice is a singing competition where famous musicians serve as coaches to mentor aspiring artists through a series of blind auditions, battles, and live performances, with the ultimate goal of finding and crowning… - 02MusicThe essential episodes of America's Got Talent2006–present·NBCSimon Cowell also stars·
- 03Music·ComedyThe essential episodes of Saturday Night Live1975–present·NBC
Saturday Night Live is an Emmy Award-winning late-night comedy showcase.Since its inception in 1975, "SNL" has launched the careers of many of the brightest comedy performers of their generation. - 04Music·ComedyThe essential episodes of Schmigadoon!2021–2023
Schmigadoon! is a parody of iconic musicals, which follows a couple on a backpacking trip designed to reinvigorate their relationship when they discover a magical town in which everyone is living in a studio musical… - 05Music·Horror·SupernaturalThe essential episodes of Anne Rice's The Vampire Lestat2026–present·AMC+The Vampire Lestat goes on tour while being haunted by "muses" from his past.
- 06Music·Comedy·FantasyThe essential episodes of Galavant2015–2016Same network — ABCOnce upon a time, the dashing hero Galavant lost the love of his life, Madalena, to the evil King Richard.
