In the season premiere, the crew heads to Phoenix for the first round of auditions. The usual suspects are back, with new contestants and a new judge, Kara DioGuardi, who joins Simon, Randy and Paula in the first part of a 2-night, 4-hour season opener.
Night 2 of the two part season opener takes place in Kansas City, as the judges continue their quest to find the next singing superstar.
Auditions continue in San Francisco, as contestants try to make their way to Hollywood.
Over 10,000 people try out, as Simon and the crew head for Louisville, Kentucky, in search of contestants for Season 8. In the end, 19 make it through to Hollywood.
More hopefuls audition for the judges for the chance to go to Hollywood, and ultimately to be named the "American Idol."
More hopefuls audition for the judges for the chance to go to Hollywood, and ultimately to be named the "American Idol."
Simon and the crew head for Puerto Rico, in search of contestants for Season 8.
Winners of the auditions compete in Hollywood, in hope of becoming semifinalists and ultimately America's idol.
Singers compete in Hollywood, in hopes of becoming semifinalists in the competition.
Singers compete in Hollywood, in hopes of becoming semifinalists in the competition.
The judges make their final cuts to determine the Top 36 contestants.
The first 12 contestants perform live for America.
The 12 semi-finalists from Tuesday night return to the stage as America's votes are revealed. In the end, the three finalists are Danny Gokey, Alexis Grace and Michael Sarver. Also, Carly Smithson and Michael Johns perform together.
The first 12 semi-finalists performed, and three contestants moved on to the Top 12. The second group of 12 semi-finalists will perform live and America will vote on their favorites.
The 12 semi-finalists who performed Tuesday night return to the stage to find out their fate. Adam, Allison and Kris are voted through to the final 12.
The final group of 12 semi-finalists will perform in the hopes of winning America over and securing a coveted spot in the Top 12. The 12 more contestants will perform and America will vote for their favorites.
The 12 semi-finalists who performed Tuesday night will return to the stage to find out their fate. America's votes will be revealed and three finalists will move on in the competition, while nine semi-finalists will go home.
In the Wild Card audition, the judges' favorite remaining contestants battle it out live for a coveted spot in the next phase of the competition.
The Top 13 finalists take the American Idol stage to perform Live for the nation. The finalists will sing their hearts out in hopes of winning America's vote and surviving another week in the competition.
Jorge Nuñez and Jasmine Murray are the first of the top 13 finalists to be sent home. Kanye West performs.
The Top 11 finalists take the stage to perform country music hits with the help of Randy Travis.
Randy Travis and Carrie Underwood perform and Alexis Grace is sent home.
The Top 10 finalists perform Motown songs after taking a trip to Hitsville, USA and working with the legendary Smokey Robinson.
Ruben Studdard, Smokey Robinson and Joss Stone perform. Michael Sarver is sent home.
The Top 9 finalists perform songs that were top downloads on iTunes.
David Cook and Lady Gaga perform. Megan Joy is eliminated.
The Top 8 finalists take the American Idol stage to perform songs from the year they were born.
Frankie Avalon and Kellie Pickler perform. Scott is eliminated.
The Top 7 finalists perform songs from the movies. Quentin Tarantino gives the contestants advice on their performances.
Jennifer Hudson, an "Idol" alum, performs. The contestants attend a movie premiere. Miley Cyrus performs. Matt has the fewest votes, but the judges' use their save to keep him in the competition.
The Top 7 finalists perform disco songs.
The remaining 7 perform a song and dance choreographed by Paula Abdul. Lil Rounds is sent home. Freda Payne, Thelma Houston and Harry Wayne Casey perform a disco medley. Allison and Anoop are in the bottom two. David Archuleta performs. Anoop is sent home.
The five finalists perform standards made famous by members of the Rat Pack. Jamie Foxx gives the contestants advice on their performances.
The remaining 5 perform a medley of standards as a group. Adam Lambert is in the bottom two, and Matt Giraud is sent home. Natalie Cole, Jamie Foxx, and former "American Idol" winner Taylor Hicks perform.
The top 4 finalists take the stage to perform rock songs under the guidance of mentor Slash. Danny and Kris sing a rock duet together, and Adam pairs with Allison to do the same.
The 4 finalists perform with mentor Slash. No Doubt performs; Daughtry performs. Judge Paula Abdul gives her first live Idol performance. Allison Iraheta is eliminated from the competition.
Finalists Danny, Kris, and Adam perform 2 songs each: one chosen by a judge and one they picked themselves. Paula picked Terence D'Arby's "Dance Little Sister" for Danny, while he chose Joe Cocker's "You Are So Beautiful" for himself. Kara and Randy chose One Republic's "Apologize" for Kris, while he picked Kanye West's "Heartless" for himself. And Simon picked U2's "One" for Adam, while he chose Aerosmith's "Cryin.'"
The final three -- Adam, Danny, and Kris -- are shown returning to their hometowns for a visit. Katy Perry performs; former "Idol" winner Jordin Sparks performs. Finalist Danny Gokey is eliminated, leaving Kris and Adam as the final two.
Adam and Kris battle it out Live to be crowned the next American Idol. Carrie Underwood performs.
Finalists Kris and Adam perform; musical performances include KISS and Queen. Kris Allen wins the competition.