The BEST episodes of American Idol season 10

Every episode of American Idol season 10, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of American Idol season 10!

The smash reality series showcases wannabe pop stars competing for a record deal by crooning for a panel of judges. The judges review a performer's talent (or lack thereof), and at-home viewers then vote for their favorite potential star. The show helped launch the careers of such artists as Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson and Adam Lambert.

Last Updated: 5/1/2024Network: ABC (US)Status: Continuing
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11 Finalists Compete Again
star
7.92
202 votes

#1 - 11 Finalists Compete Again

Season 10 - Episode 22 - Aired 3/30/2011

The finalists perform the songs of Elton John.

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11 Finalists Compete
star
7.80
118 votes

#2 - 11 Finalists Compete

Season 10 - Episode 20 - Aired 3/23/2011

The finalists perform Motown songs.

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Hollywood Round, Part 4
star
7.73
146 votes

#3 - Hollywood Round, Part 4

Season 10 - Episode 11 - Aired 2/23/2011

The 61 contestants are going to have to sing the Beatles to show that they have what it takes to handle the pressure of the competition. A lot happens in the 2 hour show. A contestant gets married, hearts are broken and one judge doesn't know if it is possible to continue to tell people the bad news that they didn't make it through. Some of the Top 24 are revealed.

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Auditions No. 1: New York/New Jersey
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7.70
175 votes

#4 - Auditions No. 1: New York/New Jersey

Season 10 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/19/2011

The talent contest opens Season 10 with auditions in New York and New Jersey.

Finalists Chosen
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7.69
257 votes

#5 - Finalists Chosen

Season 10 - Episode 15 - Aired 3/3/2011

The results are in and the Top 24 are going to be cut down to 13 tonight. This is the most cut at this point in the competition and all hopefuls are nervous. Who has made the cut to be part of America's Top 10 and the 3 Wildcard spots? Jennifer Lopez's new music video is also premiered.

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Top 12 Boys Perform
star
7.69
205 votes

#6 - Top 12 Boys Perform

Season 10 - Episode 13 - Aired 3/1/2011

The Top 12 Boys perform. Clint Jun Gamboa, Jovany Barreto, Jordan Dorsey, Tim Halperin, Brett Loewenstern, James Durbin, Robbie Rosen, Scott McCreery, Stefano Langone, Paul McDonald, Jacob Lusk, and Casey Abrams take to the stage to show that they have what it takes to be the next American Idol. Who will outshine the rest and who will fall short?

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8 Finalists Compete
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7.60
233 votes

#7 - 8 Finalists Compete

Season 10 - Episode 26 - Aired 4/13/2011

The eight remaining contestants perform songs from movies.

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Auditions No. 2: New Orleans
star
7.59
227 votes

#8 - Auditions No. 2: New Orleans

Season 10 - Episode 2 - Aired 1/20/2011

As the old saying goes, be careful what you wish for. After many viewers (yours truly included) complained that American Idol's Season 10 premiere on Wednesday didn't offer anything remarkably different from past seasons, Thursday's episode gave us something we've never seen before: Randy Jackson's bare stomach. I'm pretty sure that's not what any of us were hoping for. So, what had Randy (and Steven!) taking off their clothes? And which New Orleans singers gave J. Lo goose bumps and moved her to tears? Let's find out....

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5 Finalists Compete
star
7.59
232 votes

#9 - 5 Finalists Compete

Season 10 - Episode 32 - Aired 5/4/2011

Five singers perform one current song and one from the 1960s.

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One of Six Voted Off
star
7.57
230 votes

#10 - One of Six Voted Off

Season 10 - Episode 31 - Aired 4/28/2011

A contestant is eliminated; performances by Crystal Bowersox and Bruno Mars.

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Top 24 Chosen
star
7.57
203 votes

#11 - Top 24 Chosen

Season 10 - Episode 12 - Aired 2/24/2011

The eliminations continue to reveal the Top 24 contestants for the American Idol Live Shows. With a lot riding on this and after Jennifer's big blow up, will she been able to go on? The contestants await their fate.

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Hollywood Round, Part 3
star
7.56
202 votes

#12 - Hollywood Round, Part 3

Season 10 - Episode 10 - Aired 2/17/2011

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Auditions No. 6: Los Angeles
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7.46
174 votes

#13 - Auditions No. 6: Los Angeles

Season 10 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/3/2011

Well, the other shoe finally dropped. After a season that, so far, has mostly favored the good auditions, Thursday's episode focused almost exclusively on the bad. Steven Tyler attributed the change to the city of Los Angeles, which he deduced is full of delusional people. Things got so bad that even J. Lo discovered her potty mouth. So, who was the worst of the worst?

Auditions No. 3: Milwaukee
star
7.40
201 votes

#14 - Auditions No. 3: Milwaukee

Season 10 - Episode 3 - Aired 1/26/2011

The audition train rolled on to Milwaukee, which served up yet another batch of really young youngsters, a few more impressive standouts and the most ridiculous auditions we've seen thus far. But while watching and judging the wannabes, some interesting things happened to the judging panel: Steven Tyler became an even more inappropriate softie, Jennifer Lopez finally looked comfortable crushing people's dreams and Randy Jackson ... actually said something smart? So which singers inspired these changes?

Auditions No. 5: Austin
star
7.39
201 votes

#15 - Auditions No. 5: Austin

Season 10 - Episode 5 - Aired 2/2/2011

Before American Idol got down to wild and wacky business in Austin, the producers decided to start the show with a somber moment. Responding to some recent outrage over Steven Tyler's outlandish (and sometimes vulgar) outbursts and his inappropriate come-ons toward some of the younger female singers, the producers apologized for his "outrageous behavior." So did the Aerosmith rocker straighten up?

Hollywood Round: Part 2
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7.38
200 votes

#16 - Hollywood Round: Part 2

Season 10 - Episode 9 - Aired 2/16/2011

Finalists Compete
star
7.33
120 votes

#17 - Finalists Compete

Season 10 - Episode 16 - Aired 3/9/2011

Casey Abrams, Lauren Alaina, James Durbin, Thia Megia, Haley Reinhart, Karen Rodriguez, Pia Toscano, Jacob Lusk, Scott McCreery, Paul McDonald, Ashthon Jones, Stefano Langone and Naima Adedapo are up for the spot of American Idol as the Top 13 perform for the spot into the next round. Who will show that they can sing the best?

3 Finalists Compete
star
7.31
203 votes

#18 - 3 Finalists Compete

Season 10 - Episode 36 - Aired 5/18/2011

One of Five Voted Off
star
7.31
231 votes

#19 - One of Five Voted Off

Season 10 - Episode 33 - Aired 5/5/2011

One of the Top 5 contestants is voted off. Performers are Jennifer Lopez, rapper Pitbull and country group Lady Antebellum.

6 Finalists Compete
star
7.30
203 votes

#20 - 6 Finalists Compete

Season 10 - Episode 30 - Aired 4/27/2011

The six remaining contestants perform the songs of Carole King.

Auditions No. 7: San Francisco, CA
star
7.29
201 votes

#21 - Auditions No. 7: San Francisco, CA

Season 10 - Episode 7 - Aired 2/9/2011

The auditions continue from San Francisco, CA on the new season of American Idol as the judges continue their quest to find the next singing superstar.

7 Finalists Compete
star
7.25
175 votes

#22 - 7 Finalists Compete

Season 10 - Episode 28 - Aired 4/20/2011

The remaining contestants perform songs from the 21st century.

One of Nine Voted Off
star
7.24
173 votes

#23 - One of Nine Voted Off

Season 10 - Episode 25 - Aired 4/7/2011

A contestant is eliminated; Constantine Maroulis performs.

One of Eight Voted Off
star
7.13
145 votes

#24 - One of Eight Voted Off

Season 10 - Episode 27 - Aired 4/14/2011

A contestant is eliminated; Rihanna performs; Kelly Clarkson and Jason Aldean perform.

Hollywood Round: Part 1
star
7.09
231 votes

#25 - Hollywood Round: Part 1

Season 10 - Episode 8 - Aired 2/10/2011