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.
Early auditions continue in Kansas City, Mo., in Season 8's second installment.
Singer wannabes render trial performances in San Francisco. Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson are the judges.
The early auditions continue in Louisville, as Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson appraise trial performances.
The preliminary auditions continue in Jacksonville.
The preliminary auditions continue in Salt Lake City, with Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson serving as performance judges.
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.
They're going to Hollywood: Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson appraise performances in the first installment of the Hollywood rounds.
Hopefuls render performances in the second installment of the Hollywood rounds.
The Hollywood rounds continue with the singing hopefuls vying for a position in the Top 36.
The Hollywood rounds advance with the unveiling of the Top 36 semifinalists.
The first 12 of the Top 36 semifinalists perform. Viewer voting begins.
In a results edition, three finalists are chosen---and nine hopefuls are cut.
Performances by the second set of 12 semifinalists.
In a results installment, three finalists are chosen from the second set of semifinalists---and nine contestants are eliminated.
Performances by the third and final set of 12 singers.
In a results edition, three finalists are selected from the final pool of 12 performers, and nine singers are eliminated.
In a wild-card episode, the judges' favorite remaining contestants compete for a position in the next round of the competition.
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."
Two Top 13 finalists are eliminated in a results edition. Kelly Clarkson and Kanye West perform.
The Top 11 finalists perform, choosing songs from the country genre. Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson are the judges.
One Top 11 singer is eliminated in a results show. Country artists Carrie Underwood, Randy Travis and Brad Paisley perform.
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.
The singers face the prospect of elimination in a results show. Smokey Robinson, Ruben Studdard, Joss Stone and Stevie Wonder perform.
The remaining finalists deliver songs from a wide-spanning genre---pop music. Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson are the judges.
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.
The remaining eight finalists render songs from the year they were born in performance showcases.
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.
The Top 7 finalists take center stage and interpret songs of the cinema in a performance show. Filmmaker Quentin Tarantino is the guest mentor.
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."
The remaining seven finalists perform disco tunes.
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."
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.
One contestant is eliminated in a results edition. Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks performs "Seven Mile Breakdown."
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.
One of the final four contestants is eliminated in a results edition. Daughtry and No Doubt perform.
The Top 3 finalists sing two songs each in a performance edition. The show's 300th episode.
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.
The final two contestants compete in Season 8's penultimate episode. Presented from Nokia Theatre L.A. Live.
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.