The WORST episodes of American Idol
Every episode of American Idol ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of American Idol!
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.
#1 - Hollywood Week: Solos
Season 18 - Episode 8 - Aired 3/23/2020
Hollywood Week wraps up with with solo performances. One contestant experiences an unprecedented medical emergency. Will one couple’s love survive the latest elimination?
#2 - Auditions 2
Season 19 - Episode 2 - Aired 2/21/2021
Auditions across California – Los Angeles, San Diego, and Ojai – continue.
#3 - On with the Show: Grand Finale
Season 18 - Episode 16 - Aired 5/17/2020
The top 5 each perform a song that celebrates their Idol journey and a previously performed song. America’s real-time vote determines the winner. Special performances from music legends, including a performance of “We Are the World.”
#4 - On with the Show: Disney / Mother's Day
Season 18 - Episode 15 - Aired 5/10/2020
The remaining finalists perform 2 songs each: one from the Disney songbook and one dedicated to the mother figures in their lives. Laine Hardy returns to perform “Life is a Highway.”
#5 - On with the Show: Homeward Bound
Season 18 - Episode 14 - Aired 5/3/2020
Find out who America voted into the Top 10 and whether or not judges choose to use their only save of the season. In this home-themed episode, the judges team up with friends and industry heavyweights to give the finalists a masterclass on what it takes to be a superstar. Plus, Phillip Phillips returns to the Idol stage remotely to open the show with an acoustic performance of his bestselling hit song, “Home.”
#6 - On with the Show: Top 20 Sing for Your Vote
Season 18 - Episode 13 - Aired 4/26/2020
Top 20 perform for a spot in the Top 10. The judges, host, in-house mentor, and contestants all participate from different locations.
#7 - This Is Me 2
Season 18 - Episode 12 - Aired 4/19/2020
A deeper look into the lives of the top 21 contestants, featuring never-before-seen performances.
#8 - This Is Me 1
Season 18 - Episode 11 - Aired 4/12/2020
Before America gears up to vote for the Top 20 finalists, Idol delves deeper into the lives of the Top 21 contestants as they share their journey so far with stories along the way and all-new spectacular, never-before-seen performances.
#9 - Hawaii Showcase and Final Judgment Part #2
Season 18 - Episode 10 - Aired 4/5/2020
The Top 40 contestants perform in a concert before awaiting their final judgment for a spot in the coveted top 20. Watch a shocking first-ever twist in the show’s history for two contestants.
#10 - Hawaii Showcase and Final Judgment Part #1
Season 18 - Episode 9 - Aired 3/29/2020
The Top 40 contestants go to Hawaii to soak up the sun and sing to impress the judges in a concert on the beach before awaiting their Final Judgement for a spot in the coveted Top 20.
#11 - Auditions 1
Season 19 - Episode 1 - Aired 2/14/2021
The auditions begin in 3 California cities: Los Angeles, San Diego, and Ojai. Judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie return, along with host Ryan Seacrest.
#12 - Hollywood Week: Genre Challenge
Season 18 - Episode 6 - Aired 3/16/2020
Contestants head to Hollywood to perform a song in a genre of their choice.
#13 - Hollywood Week: Duets
Season 18 - Episode 7 - Aired 3/22/2020
The contestants pick just one partner for a duet group round. One pair’s tensions run high as they can’t agree on a song. Sparks fly with another pair. Two pop divas come together for a powerful rendition of a Celine Dion song. One pop vocalist and country singer team up to wow the judges with their unexpected harmony.
#14 - Auditions 5
Season 18 - Episode 5 - Aired 3/15/2020
Auditions across Savannah GA, Milwaukee WI, Washington D.C., Los Angeles CA, and Sunriver OR come to an end with the final search for America’s next superstar.
#15 - Auditions 4
Season 18 - Episode 4 - Aired 3/8/2020
Idol heads to Savannah GA, Milwaukee WI, Washington D.C., Los Angeles CA, and Sunriver OR as the search for America’s next superstar continues.
#16 - Auditions 3
Season 18 - Episode 3 - Aired 3/1/2020
This week’s episode sees a determined hopeful defy the odds for a chance to audition in front of the judges, resulting in an Idol first. Then, a fan favorite from season one returns for another chance to wow the judges, while another hopeful’s great-grandmother fulfills her lifelong dream of meeting Lionel Richie.
#17 - Auditions 2
Season 18 - Episode 2 - Aired 2/23/2020
In Savannah, the judges take to the streets as one Idol hopeful sings for her life, while the Philadelphia Eagles cheer team visits the D.C. auditions as one of their own goes in front of the judges. In Los Angeles, another hopeful unleashes her love for sardines with an original song. An emergency in Sunriver results in a visit from local firefighters who save the day, then celebrate with a victory song alongside the judges. Plus, more heartfelt stories and extraordinary voices from across the nation are unveiled as singers vie for their spot in Hollywood.
#18 - Auditions 1
Season 18 - Episode 1 - Aired 2/16/2020
Viewers embark on a journey across Savannah GA, Milwaukee WI, Washington D.C., Los Angeles CA, and Sunriver OR, where the show’s auditions provide never-before-seen twists. Those auditioning include a subway performer from Harlem who gives one of the most emotional auditions in Idol history, a garbage collector with no experience who warms up in the streets of Savannah with the help of Ryan Seacrest, and a hopeless romantic who encounters her own fairy tale twist during her audition as she sings from the heart.
#19 - Meet Your Finalists
Season 17 - Episode 15 - Aired 4/22/2019
This 2-hour special episode takes a deep dive into each finalist’s journey on the show thus far, highlighting new, never-before-seen songs, stories, performances, and footage, as well as revisiting favorite moments from this season.
#20 - All Star Duets and Solos
Season 19 - Episode 11 - Aired 4/5/2021
#21 - Auditions 1
Season 20 - Episode 1 - Aired 2/27/2022
#22 - Grand Finale
Season 19 - Episode 19 - Aired 5/23/2021
In the 3-hour live coast-to-coast season finale the top 3 finalists each take the stage in hopes of winning the season. The judges each perform a hit song, the rest of the top 9 return to join renowned music artists Lindsey Buckingham, Alessia Cara, Luke Combs, Sheryl Crow, Fall Out Boy, Mickey Guyton, Chaka Khan, Leona Lewis, and Macklemore.
#23 - Coldplay Songbook & Mother's Day Dedication
Season 19 - Episode 17 - Aired 5/9/2021
The Top 7 contestants are live coast-to-coast. Each performs a song in honor of Mother’s Day and a second song from the Coldplay songbook, mentored by the band’s lead singer, Chris Martin. Coldplay performs their recently announced new single, “Higher Power.” Voting starts at the beginning of the episode and the Top 5 finalists are revealed at the end.
#24 - My Personal Idol/Artist Singles
Season 19 - Episode 18 - Aired 5/16/2021
FINNEAS mentors the top 5, who are grouped to perform two of his songs. They then perform two additional songs each: one inspired by their personal idol and the debut of their winner’s single. FINNEAS takes to the Idol stage to perform “Till Forever Falls Apart” with Ashe. Voting starts at the beginning of the episode and the final 3 are revealed at the end.
#25 - Disney Night
Season 19 - Episode 16 - Aired 5/2/2021
After the results of the Comeback show are announced, we see the Top 9's trip to Walt Disney World for a one-on-one session with a celebrity mentor. The season’s Top 10, including the Comeback winner, then perform a song from the renowned Disney songbook in hopes of securing America’s real-time vote. The Top 7 finalists are revealed at the end of the episode.