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{{Future television series}}
{{short description|Season of television series}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2022}}
{{infobox television |
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}
| show_name = American Idol (Season 8) | image = [[Image:American Idol logo.svg|200px]]
{{Infobox television season
| caption =
| image = American Idol logo.svg
| rating = {{TV-PG}}
| bgcolor = #00ced1
| format = [[Interactive television|Interactive]] [[Reality television|reality]] [[game show]]
| module1 = {{Infobox reality competition season
| runtime = Varies
| creator = [[Simon Fuller]]
| host = [[Ryan Seacrest]]
| judges = <!-- NOTE TO EDITORS: Please do not change the judges around as they should go in surname alphabetically--> [[Paula Abdul]]<br />[[Simon Cowell]]<br />[[Kara DioGuardi]]<br />[[Randy Jackson]]
| executive_producer = [[Ken Warwick]]<br />[[Simon Fuller]]
| finals_venue = [[Microsoft Theater|Nokia Theatre L.A. Live]]
| director = [[Bruce Gowers]]
| winner = [[Kris Allen]]
| starring = [[Ryan Seacrest]]<br />[[Paula Abdul]]<br />[[Simon Cowell]]<br />[[Randy Jackson]]<br />[[Kara DioGuardi]]<ref name="Associated Press">[http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iwXD4BoO2HF6nbttn2FU7Cw_ZtowD92PCML81 Associated Press]</ref>
| country = [[United States]]
| runner_up = [[Adam Lambert]]
}}
| filmed = TBA
| first_aired = {{start date|2009|01|13}}
| network = [[Fox Broadcasting Company|FOX]]
| last_aired = {{end date|2009|05|20}}
| first_aired = January 13, 2009
| network = [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]
| last_aired = TBA
| num_episodes = [[List of American Idol episodes|0]]
| website = http://www.americanidol.com
| imdb_id = 0319931
| tv_com_id = 11307
}}
}}
The '''eighth season of ''[[American Idol]]''''' will premiere in January 13, 2009. Judges [[Simon Cowell]], [[Paula Abdul]], and [[Randy Jackson]] will return to judge once again, along with [[Ryan Seacrest]] as host. [[Kara DioGuardi]] was announced as the fourth and newest judge to the 'Idol' panel. <ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2008-08-25-new-idol-juidge_N.htm Songwriter Kara DioGuardi joins 'American Idol' panel]</ref>


The eighth season of ''[[American Idol]]'' premiered on Tuesday, January 13, 2009, and concluded on May 20, 2009. [[Simon Cowell]], [[Paula Abdul]], and [[Randy Jackson]] returned as judges, while [[Ryan Seacrest]] returned as host. This season introduced [[Kara DioGuardi]] as a permanent fourth judge.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2008-08-25-new-idol-juidge_N.htm |title=Songwriter Kara DioGuardi joins 'American Idol' panel |website=[[USA Today]] |access-date=August 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628194738/http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2008-08-25-new-idol-juidge_N.htm |archive-date=June 28, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> This was also Paula Abdul's last season as a judge.<ref>[http://omg.yahoo.com/news/paula-abdul-leaving-american-idol/26014?nc Paula Abdul Leaving 'American Idol'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090808172751/http://omg.yahoo.com/news/paula-abdul-leaving-american-idol/26014?nc |date=August 8, 2009 }}</ref> [[Kris Allen]] was announced the winner of the competition on May 20, 2009, defeating runner-up [[Adam Lambert]] after nearly 100 million votes were cast.
==Changes from Season 7==
Fox Entertainment president [[Kevin Reilly]] has stated the competition would feature fewer "[[William Hung]]-like" contestants and "funny auditions", and will quickly move its focus on the potential singers during the earlier stages of the competition. The upcoming season of the show will also move at a faster pace and thus will revert back to half-hour result shows, which was formerly done prior to Season 5.<ref>[http://www.okmagazine.com/posts/view/7849/ OK! Magazine - First for Celebrity News - Less is More for Next Season of American Idol<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>


The eighth season saw numerous changes to the format of the show. There were 36 semifinalists instead of 24, and thirteen finalists instead of twelve: nine contestants chosen by the public and four by the judges in a Wild Card round. Another addition was the "judges' save," which allowed the judges to veto one elimination during the competition, and was used to veto [[Matt Giraud]]'s elimination.
Idol will also have a new Executive Producer as [[Nigel Lythgoe]] confirmed that he was leaving Idol and stated that he was moving on with ''[[So You Think You Can Dance]]''.<ref>[http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20216860,00.html Lythgoe Leaving 'American Idol']</ref>
Multiple contestants from this season were signed to record deals, including Kris Allen, Adam Lambert, [[Danny Gokey]], [[Allison Iraheta]], Lil Rounds, [[Anoop Desai]], and [[Michael Sarver]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.universalmusic.com/label/universal-music-group-nashville/ |title=Universal Music Group Nashville |access-date=March 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326231901/https://www.universalmusic.com/label/universal-music-group-nashville/ |archive-date=March 26, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>


==Changes from previous seasons==
In a change to the judging panel, for the first time, the show will feature a permanent fourth judge, songwriter and record producer [[Kara DioGuardi]].<ref name="Associated Press"/>
Several changes were planned for the eighth season. Fox Entertainment president [[Kevin Reilly (executive)|Kevin Reilly]] stated that ''Idol'' would feature fewer "[[William Hung]]-like" contestants and "funny auditions," and would quickly move its focus to the potential singers during the earlier stages of the competition, thus moving the season at a faster pace.<ref>[https://www.okmagazine.com/2008/07/less-is-more-for-next-season-of-american-idol-7849/^+OK!+Magazine+%E2%80%93+First+for+Celebrity+News+%E2%80%93+Less+is+More+for+Next+Season+of+American+Idol&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca&client=firefox-a OK! Magazine – First for Celebrity News – Less is More for Next Season of American Idol (Google Cache)<!-- Bot generated title -->]{{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> [[Mike Darnell]], president of Fox's alternative programming, said the contestants would be more emotional and that viewers would learn more about them and their pasts than they had in the [[American Idol (season 7)|previous season]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/idols-emotional-focus-will-highlight-abdul-wbna28002633 |title='Idol's' emotional focus will highlight Abdul |date=December 2, 2008 |access-date=November 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819063421/https://www.today.com/popculture/idols-emotional-focus-will-highlight-abdul-wbna28002633 |archive-date=August 19, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> Songwriter and record producer [[Kara DioGuardi]] was added as a permanent fourth judge. She had previously collaborated with [[Celine Dion]], [[Hilary Duff]], [[Britney Spears]], [[Enrique Iglesias]], [[Leona Lewis]] and [[Christina Aguilera]], and produced several [[American Top 40|Top 40]] hits. As a songwriter, she had already worked with several ''American Idol'' alumni and winners, including [[Kelly Clarkson]], [[Carrie Underwood]], [[David Archuleta]], and [[David Cook (singer)|David Cook]].<ref name="Associated Press">[http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iwXD4BoO2HF6nbttn2FU7Cw_ZtowD92PCML81 Associated Press] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828002329/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iwXD4BoO2HF6nbttn2FU7Cw_ZtowD92PCML81 |date=August 28, 2008 }}</ref> Meanwhile, [[Ken Warwick]] became the new executive producer, as [[Nigel Lythgoe]] had left the show to focus on ''[[So You Think You Can Dance (US)|So You Think You Can Dance]]'' and his new show with Simon Fuller, ''[[Superstars of Dance]]''.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2008/08/06/nigel-lythgoe-leaving-american-idol/ |title=Lythgoe Leaving 'American Idol' |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |access-date=August 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828205913/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20216860,00.html |archive-date=August 28, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Idol Gives Back]]'' was canceled for the eighth season, as the [[Great Recession]] left ''Idol'' officials uncomfortable about asking financially struggling viewers to donate.<ref>[https://www.tvguide.com/american-idol/american-idol-shelves-1000800.aspx American Idol Shelves "Give Back" Show for 2009 Season] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616122603/http://www.tvguide.com/american-idol/american-idol-shelves-1000800.aspx |date=June 16, 2011 }}</ref> The semifinals saw the biggest change as the Wild Card round returned for the first time since the [[American Idol (season 3)|third season]]. After voters picked three finalists from each of three groups of 12 semifinalists, the judges selected eight of the previously eliminated 27 semifinalists to return and perform on the March 5 show. They were judged by the panel, instead of a vote by the viewers, with four advancing to the finals.<ref name="Reality TV World">{{Cite web |url=http://realitytvworld.com/news/fox-releases-american-idol-schedule-confirms-format-changes-8158.php |title=Fox releases 'American Idol' schedule, confirms format changes |access-date=December 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216013249/http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/fox-releases-american-idol-schedule-confirms-format-changes-8158.php |archive-date=December 16, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="How Will The Wild-Card Round Work On 'America Idol'">{{Cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1605830/20090225/story.jhtml |title=MTV How Will The Wild-Card Round Work On 'American Idol' |website=[[MTV]] |access-date=March 4, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304225212/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1605830/20090225/story.jhtml |archive-date=March 4, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Although the finals had been billed from the beginning of the season as a set of 12 contestants, the judges announced at the last minute that they would be advancing a fourth Wild Card contestant, resulting in 13 singers advancing to the finals.


==Early process==
===Judges' save===
Another change to the ''Idol'' format was the judges' save, an element previously used in France's ''[[Nouvelle Star]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/new-idol-rule-could-give-judges-veto-power-wbna29642431 |title=New 'Idol' rule could give judges veto power - Access Hollywood - msnbc.com |publisher=Today.com |date=November 3, 2009 |access-date=August 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211012715/http://www.today.com/popculture/new-idol-rule-could-give-judges-veto-power-wbna29642431 |archive-date=February 11, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> The judges were given the power to veto one elimination in the finals for that particular week. This could only be used until the top 5. The following week, two contestants would be eliminated if the judges' save were used. The save could only be used once per season and must be a unanimous decision. The new format change was revealed on March 11, 2009. The first recipient of the judges' save was [[Matt Giraud]].
===Regional auditions phase===
====Locations====


==Regional auditions ==
The auditions were held in the following cities:<ref name=autogenerated1>[http://www.americanidol.com/news/view/?pid=1367 Who Will Be The Next Singing Superstar? - American Idol News<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Auditions began July 17, 2008, and were held in the following cities:<ref name=autogenerated1>{{Cite web |url=http://www.americanidol.com/news/view/?pid=1367 |title=Who Will Be The Next Singing Superstar? – American Idol News<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=June 26, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080627191347/http://www.americanidol.com/news/view/?pid=1367 |archive-date=June 27, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref>
{|class="wikitable sortable" style=" text-align:center"
|+''American Idol'' (season 8) – regional auditions
! scope="col" | City
! scope="col" | Preliminary date
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Preliminary venue
! scope="col" | Filming date(s)
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Filming venue
! scope="col" | Golden tickets
|-
! scope="row" | [[San Francisco, California]]
| July 17, 2008
| [[Cow Palace]]
| September 13, 2008
| [[Westin St. Francis]]
| 12
|-
! scope="row" | [[Louisville, Kentucky]]
| July 21, 2008
| [[Freedom Hall]]
| September 7–8, 2008
| [[Churchill Downs]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Churchill Downs is hosting American Idol |url=http://www.wdrb.com/story/8953484/churchill-downs-is-hosting-american-idol |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130903155549/http://www.wdrb.com/story/8953484/churchill-downs-is-hosting-american-idol |archive-date=September 3, 2013 |access-date=September 7, 2011}}</ref>
| 19
|-
! scope="row" | [[Phoenix, Arizona]]
| July 25, 2008
| [[Jobing.com Arena]]
| September 2008
| The Boulders
| 27
|-
! scope="row" | [[Salt Lake City, Utah]]
| July 29, 2008
| [[EnergySolutions Arena]]
| September 18–19, 2008
| [[Wells Fargo Center (Salt Lake City)|Wells Fargo Center]]
| 13
|-
! scope="row" | [[San Juan, Puerto Rico]]
| August 2, 2008
| [[Coliseo de Puerto Rico]]
| September 2008
| Conrad San Juan Condado Plaza
| 9
|-
! scope="row" | [[Kansas City, Missouri]]
| August 8, 2008
| [[Kemper Arena]]
| October 5, 2008
| Firestone Building<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://backtorockville.typepad.com/back_to_rockville/2009/01/american-idol-do-you-know-these-kc-singers.html |title=American Idol {{!}} Do you know these KC singers? |access-date=September 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111019222714/http://backtorockville.typepad.com/back_to_rockville/2009/01/american-idol-do-you-know-these-kc-singers.html |archive-date=October 19, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| 27
|-
! scope="row" | [[Jacksonville, Florida]]
| August 13, 2008
| [[Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena]]
| September 3, 2008
| [[Amelia Island Plantation]]<ref>[http://www.times-herald.com/local/The-audition-you-didnt-see-647953 The audition you didn't see...] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326032330/http://www.times-herald.com/local/The-audition-you-didnt-see-647953 |date=March 26, 2012 }}</ref>
| 16
|-
! scope="row" | [[New York City, New York]]
| August 19, 2008
| [[Izod Center]]
| August 26, 2008
| [[Chelsea Piers]]<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/life/topstories/2008-08-27-1027282115_x.htm Kara DioGuardi joins 'Idol' judges for NYC tryouts]</ref>
| 26
|-
! colspan="5" | Total number of tickets to Hollywood
! 149
|}

Contestants were required to be between the ages of 16 and 28 on July 15, 2008, and eligible to work in the United States. Those ineligible included former contestants who had previously reached the semifinals of the first through third seasons, or the last phase of the Hollywood round of the fourth through seventh seasons, those holding recording or management contracts, or those who were not U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

==Hollywood week==
The Hollywood round moved from the [[Orpheum Theatre (Los Angeles)|Orpheum Theatre]] to the [[Kodak Theatre]], which had previously been used for the finales in the first and third through sixth seasons.

In the first round, the 147 contestants each sang a short solo ''a cappella'' performance of any song. The next round had the remaining 107 contestants performing in groups of three or four. The 72 contestants who survived that round performed one more solo song, this time accompanied by a band, before being narrowed down to 54. The final 54 then went to the "judges' mansion" in Los Angeles for the final results, and the top 36 were announced. Some contestants had a sing-off to determine who would enter the top 36.

==Semifinals==
The 36 contestants performed in three groups of twelve and sang songs that were [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] hits. In each group, three people advanced to the next round via a public vote. After nine contestants had been chosen, the judges selected eight of the remaining 27 semifinalists to compete in the Wild Card round. Following another performance by each contender, each judge selected one contestant to advance to the final group of 13.

'''Color key:'''
{| class="toccolours" style="font-size: 85%; white-space: nowrap;"
| {{legend|#fdfc8f|This contestant was chosen by the public and moved on to the live shows.}}
|-
| {{legend|#B0E0E6|This contestant was not chosen by the public and was left to perform again for the judges in the Wild Card round.}}
|-
| {{legend|#FF91A4|This contestant was eliminated.}}
|}

===Group 1===
Contestants are listed in the order they performed.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; line-height:20px;"
|-
! scope="col" | Contestant
! scope="col" | Song
! scope="col" | Result
|-
! scope="row" | [[Jackie Tohn]]
| "[[A Little Less Conversation]]"
| style="background:#FF91A4;|Eliminated
|-
! scope="row" | Ricky Braddy
| "[[A Song for You]]"
| style="background:#B0E0E6;| Wild Card
|-
! scope="row" | Alexis Grace
| "[[I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)]]"
| bgcolor="fdfc8f" | Advanced
|-
! scope="row" | Brent Keith
| "[[Hicktown]]"
| style="background:#FF91A4;|Eliminated
|-
! scope="row" | Stevie Wright
| "[[You Belong with Me]]"
| style="background:#FF91A4;|Eliminated
|-
! scope="row" | [[Anoop Desai]]
| "[[Angel of Mine]]"
| style="background:#B0E0E6;| Wild Card
|-
! scope="row" | Casey Carlson
| "[[Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic]]"
| style="background:#FF91A4;|Eliminated
|-
! scope="row" | [[Michael Sarver]]
| "[[I Don't Want to Be]]"
| bgcolor="fdfc8f" | Advanced
|-
! scope="row" | Ann Marie Boskovich
| "[[(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman]]"
| style="background:#FF91A4;|Eliminated
|-
! scope="row" | Stephen Fowler
| "[[Rock with You]]"
| style="background:#FF91A4;|Eliminated
|-
! scope="row" | Tatiana Del Toro
| "[[Saving All My Love for You]]"
| style="background:#B0E0E6;| Wild Card
|-
! scope="row" | [[Danny Gokey]]
| "[[Hero (Mariah Carey song)|Hero]]"
| bgcolor="fdfc8f" | Advanced
|}
{| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ Non-competition performance
|-
! scope="col"| Performers
! scope="col"| Song
|-
! scope="row" | Group 1
|"[[I'm Yours (Jason Mraz song)|I'm Yours]]"
|-
! scope="row" | [[Carly Smithson]] &<br>[[Michael Johns (singer)|Michael Johns]]
| "[[The Letter (Box Tops song)|The Letter]]"
|}

===Group 2===
Due to [[February 2009 Barack Obama speech to joint session of Congress|President Obama's 2009 speech to a joint session of Congress]] that took place on Tuesday, February 24, the performance show was moved to Wednesday, February 25, and the results show to Thursday, February 26. Contestants are listed in the order they performed.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; line-height:20px;"
|-
! scope="col" | Contestant
! scope="col" | Song
! scope="col" | Result
|-
! scope="row" | [[Jasmine Murray]]
| "[[Love Song (Sara Bareilles song)|Love Song]]"
| style="background:#B0E0E6;| Wild Card
|-
! scope="row" | [[Matt Giraud]]
| "[[Viva la Vida]]"
| style="background:#B0E0E6;| Wild Card
|-
! scope="row" | Jeanine Vailes
| "[[This Love (Maroon 5 song)|This Love]]"
| style="background:#FF91A4;|Eliminated
|-
! scope="row" | Nick Mitchell
| "[[And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going]]"
| style="background:#FF91A4;|Eliminated
|-
! scope="row" | [[Allison Iraheta]]
| "[[Alone (Heart song)|Alone]]"
| bgcolor="fdfc8f" | Advanced
|-
! scope="row" | [[Kris Allen]]
| "[[Man in the Mirror]]"
| bgcolor="fdfc8f" | Advanced
|-
! scope="row" | [[Megan Joy]]
| "[[Put Your Records On]]"
| style="background:#B0E0E6;| Wild Card
|-
! scope="row" | Matt Breitzke
| "[[If You Could Only See]]"
| style="background:#FF91A4;|Eliminated
|-
! scope="row" | Jesse Langseth
| "[[Bette Davis Eyes]]"
| style="background:#B0E0E6;| Wild Card
|-
! scope="row" | Kai Kalama
| "[[What Becomes of the Brokenhearted]]"
| style="background:#FF91A4;|Eliminated
|-
! scope="row" | Mishavonna Henson
| "[[Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)]]"
| style="background:#FF91A4;|Eliminated
|-
! scope="row" | [[Adam Lambert]]
| "[[(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction]]"
| bgcolor="fdfc8f" | Advanced
|}
{| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ Non-competition performance
|-
! scope="col"| Performers
! scope="col"| Song
|-
! scope="row" | Group 2
| "[[Closer (Ne-Yo song)|Closer]]"
|-
! scope="row" | [[Brooke White]]
| "[[Hold Up My Heart]]"
|}

===Group 3===
Contestants are listed in the order they performed.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; line-height:20px;"
|-
! scope="col" | Contestant
! scope="col" | Song
! scope="col" | Result
|-
! scope="row" | [[Von Smith]]
| "[[You're All I Need to Get By]]"
| style="background:#B0E0E6;| Wild Card
|-
! scope="row" | Taylor Vaifanua
| "[[If I Ain't Got You]]"
| style="background:#FF91A4;|Eliminated
|-
! scope="row" | Alex Wagner-Trugman
| "[[I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues]]"
| style="background:#FF91A4;|Eliminated
|-
! scope="row" | [[Arianna Afsar]]
| "[[The Winner Takes It All]]"
| style="background:#FF91A4;|Eliminated
|-
! scope="row" | Ju'Not Joyner
| "[[Hey There Delilah]]"
| style="background:#FF91A4;|Eliminated
|-
! scope="row" | Kristen McNamara
| "[[Give Me One Reason]]"
| style="background:#FF91A4;|Eliminated
|-
! scope="row" | Nathaniel Marshall
| "[[I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)]]"
| style="background:#FF91A4;|Eliminated
|-
! scope="row" | [[Felicia Barton]]{{efn|Felicia Barton was initially eliminated prior to the semifinals. However, after [[Joanna Pacitti]] was disqualified, Felicia was invited back into the competition.}}
| "[[No One (Alicia Keys song)|No One]]"
| style="background:#FF91A4;|Eliminated
|-
! scope="row" | [[Scott MacIntyre]]
| "[[Mandolin Rain]]"
| bgcolor="fdfc8f" | Advanced
|-
! scope="row" | Kendall Beard
| "[[This One's for the Girls]]"
| style="background:#FF91A4;|Eliminated
|-
! scope="row" | Jorge Núñez
| "[[Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me]]"
| bgcolor="fdfc8f" | Advanced
|-
! scope="row" | Lil Rounds
| "[[Be Without You]]"
| bgcolor="fdfc8f" | Advanced
|}
{| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ Non-competition performance
|-
! scope="col"| Performers
! scope="col"| Song
|-
! scope="row" | Group 3
| "[[Hot n Cold]]"
|}
{{notelist}}

===Wild Card round===
Contestants are listed in the order they performed.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; line-height:20px;"
|-
! scope="col" | Contestant
! scope="col" | Song
! scope="col" | Result
|-
! scope="row" | Jesse Langseth
| "[[Tell Me Something Good]]"
| bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated
|-
! scope="row" | Matt Giraud
| "[[Who's Lovin' You]]"
| style="background:#B0E0E6;" | Advanced
|-
! scope="row" | Megan Joy
| "[[Black Horse and the Cherry Tree]]"
| style="background:#B0E0E6;" | Advanced
|-
! scope="row" | Von Smith
| "[[Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word]]"
| bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated
|-
! scope="row" | Jasmine Murray
| "[[Reflection (song)|Reflection]]"
| style="background:#B0E0E6;" | Advanced
|-
! scope="row" | Ricky Braddy
| "[[Superstition (song)|Superstition]]"
| bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated
|-
! scope="row" | Tatiana Del Toro
| "[[Saving All My Love for You]]"
| bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated
|-
! scope="row" | Anoop Desai
| "[[My Prerogative]]"
| style="background:#B0E0E6;" | Advanced
|}

==Top 13 finalists==
{{multiple image
| align = center
| direction = horizontal
| total_width = 775
| caption_align = center
| perrow = 5 6
| header = Eleven of the top thirteen finalists
| image1 = Kris Allen.jpg |caption1=[[Kris Allen]]
| image2 = Adam Lambert.jpg |caption2=[[Adam Lambert]]
| image3 = Danny Gokey.jpg |caption3=[[Danny Gokey]]
| image4 = Allison Iraheta.jpg |caption4=[[Allison Iraheta]]
| image5 = Matt Giraud in Kalamazoo, Michigan.jpg |caption5=[[Matt Giraud]]
| image6 = Anoop Desai.jpg |caption6=[[Anoop Desai]]
| image7 = Lil Rounds.jpg |caption7=Lil Rounds
| image8 = Megan Joy cropped.JPG |caption8=[[Megan Joy]]
| image9 = Michael Sarver cropped.JPG |caption9=[[Michael Sarver]]
| image10 = Alexis Grace.jpg |caption10=Alexis Grace
| image11 = Jasmine Murray, Miss Mississippi 2014.jpg |caption11=[[Jasmine Murray]]
}}

*'''[[Kris Allen]]''' (born June 21, 1985, in [[Jacksonville, Arkansas]]; 23 years old at the time of the show) was from [[Conway, Arkansas]], and auditioned in Louisville with [[Leon Russell]]'s "[[A Song for You]]."
*'''[[Adam Lambert]]''' (born January 29, 1982, in [[Indianapolis, Indiana]]; 26 years old at the time of the show) was from [[San Diego, California]], and auditioned in San Francisco with [[Queen (band)|Queen]]'s "[[Bohemian Rhapsody]]."
*'''[[Danny Gokey]]''' (born April 24, 1980; 28 years old at the time of the show) was from [[Milwaukee, Wisconsin]], and auditioned in Kansas City.
*'''[[Allison Iraheta]]''' (born April 27, 1992, in [[Glendale, California]]; 16 years old at the time of the show) was from [[Los Angeles|Los Angeles, California]], and auditioned in San Francisco.
*'''[[Matt Giraud]]''' (born May 11, 1985, in [[Dearborn, Michigan]]; 23 years old at the time of the show) was from [[Kalamazoo, Michigan]], and auditioned in Louisville with [[Gavin DeGraw]]'s "[[I Don't Want to Be]]."
*'''[[Anoop Desai]]''' (born December 20, 1986, in [[Cary, North Carolina]]; 22 years old at the time of the show) was from [[Chapel Hill, North Carolina]], and auditioned in Kansas City.
*'''Lil Rounds''' (born October 20, 1984; 24 years old at the time of the show) was from [[Memphis, Tennessee]], and auditioned in Kansas City with [[Stevie Wonder]]'s "[[Hotter than July|All I Do]]." Her performance of [[Dolly Parton]]'s "[[I Will Always Love You]]" in Hollywood impressed the judges.
*'''[[Scott MacIntyre]]''' (born June 22, 1985; 23 years old at the time of the show) was from [[Scottsdale, Arizona]], and auditioned in Phoenix. He was the first legally blind person to audition for ''American Idol''.<ref name=shares>{{Cite news|title=Tempe woman shares unusual part of 'Idol' singer's success |first=Randy |last=Cordova |work=The Arizona Republic |date=March 3, 2009 |url=https://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/arizonaliving/articles/2009/03/02/20090302idolscott0303.html }}</ref>
*'''[[Megan Joy]]''' (born September 18, 1985; 23 years old at the time of the show) was from [[Sandy, Utah]], and auditioned in Salt Lake City with [[Helen Morgan (singer)|Helen Morgan]]'s "[[Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man]]."
*'''[[Michael Sarver]]''' (born March 28, 1981, in [[Sulphur, Louisiana]]; 27 years old at the time of the show) was from [[Jasper, Texas]], and auditioned in Phoenix with [[Boyz II Men]]'s "[[Thank You (Boyz II Men song)|Thank You]]."
*'''Alexis Grace''' (born August 14, 1987; 21 years old at the time of the show) was from [[Memphis, Tennessee]], and auditioned in Louisville with [[Aretha Franklin]]'s "[[Dr. Feelgood (Aretha Franklin song)|Dr Feelgood]]." She performed Aretha Franklin's "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man" and [[Carrie Underwood]]'s "[[Before He Cheats]]" in Hollywood.
*'''Jorge Núñez''' (born October 1, 1987, in [[Cidra, Puerto Rico]]; 21 years old at the time of the show) was from [[Carolina, Puerto Rico]], and auditioned in San Juan. For his audition, he sang "[[My Way]]" in Spanish and [[Louis Armstrong]]'s "[[What a Wonderful World]]" in English. He performed [[Jon Secada]]'s "Angel" in Hollywood.
*'''[[Jasmine Murray]]''' (born March 14, 1992, in [[Columbus, Mississippi]]; 16 years old at the time of the show) was from [[Starkville, Mississippi]], and auditioned in Jacksonville.

== Finals ==
There were eleven weeks of finals with thirteen contestants competing. At least one contestant was eliminated every week based on the public's votes, although the judges could veto one elimination through the use of the "judges' save."

'''Color key:'''
{| class="toccolours" style="font-size: 90%; white-space: nowrap;"
|-
| {{legend|#FDFC8F|This contestant was saved by America's vote.}}
|-
| {{legend|#E0F0FF|This contestant was in the bottom two or three, but was saved by America's vote.}}
|-
| {{legend|#B0E0E6|This contestant was saved from elimination by the judges.}}
|-
| {{legend|#FF91A4|This contestant was eliminated.}}
|-
| {{legend|gold|This contestant won ''American Idol''.}}
|-
| {{legend|silver|This contestant was the runner-up.}}
|}

===Top 13 – Michael Jackson===
Contestants performed one song each from the [[Michael Jackson discography]], and are listed in the order they performed. Two contestants were eliminated.

This episode re-aired on June 29, 2009, in a tribute to [[Michael Jackson]] after his death.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsroom.mtv.com/2009/06/29/mj-on-tv-american-idol-bashir-specials-tonight-so-you-think-you-can-dance-in-near-future/|title=MJ On TV: "American Idol", Bashir Specials Tonight, "So You Think You Can Dance" In Near Future|date=June 29, 2009|publisher=MTV Newsroom|access-date=June 30, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090704152414/http://newsroom.mtv.com/2009/06/29/mj-on-tv-american-idol-bashir-specials-tonight-so-you-think-you-can-dance-in-near-future|archive-date=July 4, 2009}}</ref> Simon Cowell had hoped that Jackson would perform on the show as part of his comeback tour.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a150062/cowell-jackson-stupid-to-turn-down-idol/|title = Cowell: Jackson stupid to turn down 'Idol'| website=[[Digital Spy]] |date = March 19, 2009}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! scope="col"| Contestant
! scope="col"| [[Michael Jackson]] song
! scope="col"| Result
|-
! scope="row" | Lil Rounds
| "[[The Way You Make Me Feel]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Scott MacIntyre
| |"[[Dangerous (Michael Jackson album)|Keep the Faith]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Danny Gokey
| "[[P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Michael Sarver
| "[[You Are Not Alone]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Jasmine Murray
| "[[I'll Be There (Jackson 5 song)|I'll Be There]]"
| bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated
|-
! scope="row" | Kris Allen
| "[[Remember the Time]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Allison Iraheta
| "[[Give In to Me]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Anoop Desai
| "[[Beat It]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Jorge Núñez
| "[[Never Can Say Goodbye]]"
| bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated
|-
! scope="row" | Megan Joy
| "[[Rockin' Robin (song)|Rockin' Robin]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Adam Lambert
| "[[Black or White]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Matt Giraud
| "[[Human Nature (Michael Jackson song)|Human Nature]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Alexis Grace
| "[[Dirty Diana]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ Non-competition performance
|-
! scope="col" | Performers
! scope="col" | Song
|-
! scope="row" | Top 13
|"[[I Want You Back]]"<br>"[[ABC (The Jackson 5 song)|ABC]]"
|-
! scope="row" | [[Kanye West]]
| "[[Heartless (Kanye West song)|Heartless]]"
|-
! scope="row" | [[Kelly Clarkson]]
| "[[My Life Would Suck Without You]]"
|}

===Top 11 – Grand Ole Opry===
Country singer [[Randy Travis]] served as a guest mentor this week. Contestants each performed one song from the [[Grand Ole Opry]], and are listed in the order they performed.
{| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! scope="col"| Contestant
! scope="col"| [[Country music|Country]] song
! scope="col"| Result
|-
! scope="row" | Michael Sarver
| "[[Ain't Goin' Down ('Til the Sun Comes Up)]]"
| bgcolor="E0F0FF" | Bottom two
|-
! scope="row" | Allison Iraheta
| "[[Blame It on Your Heart]]"
| bgcolor="E0F0FF" | Bottom three
|-
! scope="row" | Kris Allen
| "[[Make You Feel My Love]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Lil Rounds
| "[[Independence Day (Martina McBride song)|Independence Day]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Adam Lambert
| "[[Ring of Fire (song)|Ring of Fire]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Scott MacIntyre
| "[[Wild Angels (Martina McBride song)|Wild Angels]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Alexis Grace
| "[[Jolene (song)|Jolene]]"
| bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated
|-
! scope="row" | Danny Gokey
| "[[Jesus, Take the Wheel]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Anoop Desai
| "[[Always on My Mind]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Megan Joy
| "[[Walkin' After Midnight]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Matt Giraud
| "[[So Small]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ Non-competition performance
|-
! scope="col" | Performers
! scope="col" | Song
|-
! scope="row" | Top 11
| "[[T-R-O-U-B-L-E (song)|T-R-O-U-B-L-E]]"
|-
! scope="row" | [[Brad Paisley]]
| "[[Then (Brad Paisley song)|Then]]"
|-
! scope="row" | [[Carrie Underwood]] & [[Randy Travis]]
| "[[I Told You So (Randy Travis song)|I Told You So]]"
|}

===Top 10 – Motown===
[[Smokey Robinson]] served as a guest mentor this week. Contestants are listed in the order they performed.

The performance show aired on Wednesday, March 25, and the results show on Thursday, March 26, due to a [[White House]] press conference that aired on Tuesday, March 24.
{| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! scope="col"| Contestant
! scope="col"| [[Motown]] song
! scope="col"| Result
|-
! scope="row" | Matt Giraud
| "[[Let's Get It On (song)|Let's Get It On]]"
| bgcolor="E0F0FF" | Bottom two
|-
! scope="row" | Kris Allen
| "[[How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Scott MacIntyre
| "[[You Can't Hurry Love]]"
| bgcolor="E0F0FF" | Bottom three
|-
! scope="row" | Megan Joy
| "[[For Once in My Life]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Anoop Desai
| "[[Ooo Baby Baby]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Michael Sarver
| "[[Ain't Too Proud to Beg]]"
| bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated
|-
! scope="row" | Lil Rounds
| "[[Heat Wave (1963 song)|Heat Wave]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Adam Lambert
| "[[The Tracks of My Tears]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Danny Gokey
| "[[Get Ready (The Temptations song)|Get Ready]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Allison Iraheta
| "[[Papa Was a Rollin' Stone]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ Non-competition performance
|-
! scope="col" | Performers
! scope="col" | Song
|-
! scope="row" | Top 10
|[[Motown]] medley:<br>"[[You Keep Me Hangin' On]]"<br>"[[You're All I Need to Get By]]"<br>"[[Ain't No Mountain High Enough]]"
|-
! scope="row" | [[Ruben Studdard]]
| "Together"
|-
! scope="row" | [[Smokey Robinson]]<br>& [[Joss Stone]]
| "You're the One for Me"
|-
! scope="row" | [[Stevie Wonder]]
| "[[My Cherie Amour (song)|My Chérie Amour]]"<br>"[[Superstition (song)|Superstition]]"<br>"[[Overjoyed (Stevie Wonder song)|Overjoyed]]"<br>"All About the Love Again"
|}

===Top 9 – Popular iTunes downloads===
Contestants are listed in the order they performed.
{| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! scope="col"| Contestant
! scope="col"| Song
! scope="col"| Result
|-
! scope="row" | Anoop Desai
| "[[Caught Up (Usher song)|Caught Up]]"
| bgcolor="E0F0FF" | Bottom two
|-
! scope="row" | Megan Joy
| "[[Turn Your Lights Down Low]]"
| bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated
|-
! scope="row" | Danny Gokey
| "[[What Hurts the Most]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Allison Iraheta
| "[[Don't Speak]]"
| bgcolor="E0F0FF" | Bottom three
|-
! scope="row" | Scott MacIntyre
| "[[Just the Way You Are (Billy Joel song)|Just the Way You Are]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Matt Giraud
| "[[You Found Me]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Lil Rounds
| "[[I Surrender (Celine Dion song)|I Surrender]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Adam Lambert
| "[[Play That Funky Music]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Kris Allen
| "[[Ain't No Sunshine]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ Non-competition performance
|-
! scope="col" | Performers
! scope="col" | Song
|-
! scope="row" | Top 9
|"[[Don't Stop Believin']]"
|-
! scope="row" | [[David Cook (singer)|David Cook]]
| "[[Come Back to Me (David Cook song)|Come Back to Me]]"
|-
! scope="row" | [[Lady Gaga]]
| "[[Poker Face (song)|Poker Face]]"
|}

===Top 8 – Contestants' birth year===
Contestants each performed one song from the year they were born, and are listed in the order they performed.
{| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! scope="col"| Contestant
! scope="col"| Song
! scope="col"| Birth year
! scope="col"| Result
|-
! scope="row" | Danny Gokey
| "[[Stand by Me (Ben E. King song)|Stand By Me]]"
| 1980
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Kris Allen
| "[[All She Wants to Do Is Dance]]"
| 1985
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Lil Rounds
| "[[What's Love Got to Do with It (song)|What's Love Got to Do with It]]"
| 1984
| bgcolor="E0F0FF" | Bottom three
|-
! scope="row" | Anoop Desai
| "[[True Colors (Cyndi Lauper song)|True Colors]]"
| 1986
| bgcolor="E0F0FF" | Bottom two
|-
! scope="row" | Scott MacIntyre
| "[[The Search Is Over]]"
| 1985
| bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated
|-
! scope="row" | Allison Iraheta
| "[[I Can't Make You Love Me]]"
| 1991
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Matt Giraud
| "[[Part-Time Lover]]"
| 1985
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Adam Lambert
| "[[Mad World]]"
| 1982
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ Non-competition performance
|-
! scope="col" | Performers
! scope="col" | Song
|-
! scope="row" | Top 8
| "[[Can't Get You Out of My Head]]"
|-
! scope="row" | [[Frankie Avalon]]
| "[[Venus (Frankie Avalon song)|Venus]]"
|-
! scope="row" | [[Flo Rida]] & Wynter Gordon
| "[[Right Round]]"
|-
! scope="row" | [[Kellie Pickler]]
| "[[Best Days of Your Life]]"
|}

===Top 7 (April 15th) – Movie soundtracks===
[[Quentin Tarantino]] served as a guest mentor this week. Contestants chose songs featured in movies, and are listed in the order they performed. The judges chose to use their "judges' save" when [[Matt Giraud]] was announced as the performer to be eliminated. As a result, no one was eliminated this week.

{| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! scope="col"| Contestant
! scope="col"| Song
! scope="col"| Film
! scope="col"| Result
|-
! scope="row" | Allison Iraheta
| "[[I Don't Want to Miss a Thing]]"
| ''[[Armageddon (1998 film)|Armageddon]]''
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Anoop Desai
| "[[(Everything I Do) I Do It for You]]"
|''[[Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves]]''
| bgcolor="E0F0FF" | Bottom three
|-
! scope="row" | Adam Lambert
| "[[Born to Be Wild]]"
| ''[[Easy Rider]]''
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Matt Giraud
| "[[Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?]]"
| ''[[Don Juan DeMarco]]''
| style="background:#B0E0E6|Saved by the judges
|-
! scope="row" | Danny Gokey
| "[[Endless Love (song)|Endless Love]]"
| ''[[Endless Love (1981 film)|Endless Love]]''
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Kris Allen
| "[[Falling Slowly]]"
| ''[[Once (film)|Once]]''
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Lil Rounds
| "[[The Rose (song)|The Rose]]"
|''[[The Rose (film)|The Rose]]''
| bgcolor="E0F0FF" | Bottom two
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ Non-competition performance
|-
! scope="col" | Performers
! scope="col" | Song
|-
! scope="row" | Top 7
|"[[Maniac (Michael Sembello song)|Maniac]]"
|-
! scope="row" | [[Jennifer Hudson]]
| "[[If This Isn't Love (Jennifer Hudson song)|If This Isn't Love]]"
|-
! scope="row" | [[Miley Cyrus]]
| "[[The Climb (song)|The Climb]]"
|}

===Top 7 (April 21st) – Disco===
Contestants are listed in the order they performed. Two contestants were eliminated.
{| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! scope="col"| Contestant
! scope="col"| [[Disco]] song
! scope="col"| Result
|-
! scope="row" | Lil Rounds
| "[[I'm Every Woman]]"
| bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated
|-
! scope="row" | Kris Allen
| "[[She Works Hard for the Money]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Danny Gokey
| "[[September (Earth, Wind & Fire song)|September]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Allison Iraheta
| "[[Hot Stuff (Donna Summer song)|Hot Stuff]]"
| bgcolor="E0F0FF" | Bottom three
|-
! scope="row" | Adam Lambert
| "[[If I Can't Have You (Bee Gees song)|If I Can't Have You]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Matt Giraud
| "[[Stayin' Alive]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Anoop Desai
| "[[Dim All the Lights]]"
| bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ Non-competition performance
|-
! scope="col" | Performers
! scope="col" | Song
|-
! scope="row" | Top 7
| "[[Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)]]"
|-
! scope="row" | [[David Archuleta]]
| "[[Touch My Hand]]"
|-
! scope="row" | [[Freda Payne]],<br>[[Thelma Houston]] & [[Harry Wayne Casey|KC]]
| [[Band of Gold (Freda Payne song)|Band of Gold]]"<br>"[[Don't Leave Me This Way]]"<br>"[[Get Down Tonight]]"
|}

===Top 5 – Rat Pack===
[[Jamie Foxx]] served as a guest mentor this week. Contestants performed one song each from the [[Rat Pack]] era, and are listed in the order they performed.

{| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! scope="col"| Contestant
! scope="col"| [[Rat Pack]] song
! scope="col"| Result
|-
! scope="row" | Kris Allen
| "[[The Way You Look Tonight]]"
| bgcolor="E0F0FF" | Bottom three
|-
! scope="row" | Allison Iraheta
| "[[Someone to Watch Over Me (song)|Someone to Watch Over Me]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Matt Giraud
| "[[My Funny Valentine]]"
| bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated
|-
! scope="row" | Danny Gokey
| "[[Come Rain or Come Shine]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Adam Lambert
| "[[Feeling Good]]"
| bgcolor="E0F0FF" | Bottom two
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ Non-competition performance
|-
! scope="col" | Performers
! scope="col" | Song
|-
! scope="row" | Top 5
| "[[It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)]]"<br>"[[I Got Rhythm]]"
|-
! scope="row" | [[Natalie Cole]]
| "Something's Gotta Give"
|-
! scope="row" | [[Taylor Hicks]]
| "Seven Mile Breakdown"
|-
! scope="row" | [[Jamie Foxx]]
| "[[Blame It]]"
|}

===Top 4 – Rock music===
[[Slash (musician)|Slash]] served as a guest mentor this week. Each contestant performed two songs: one solo and one duet with a fellow contestant. Contestants are listed in the order they performed.

{| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! scope="col"| Contestant
! scope="col"| Order
! scope="col" | [[Rock music|Rock]] song
! scope="col"| Result
|-
! scope="row" | Adam Lambert
| 1
| "[[Whole Lotta Love]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F|Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Allison Iraheta
| 2
| "[[Cry Baby (Garnet Mimms song)|Cry Baby]]"
| bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated
|-
! scope="row" | Kris Allen
| 4
| "[[Come Together]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F" |Safe
|-
! scope="row" | Danny Gokey
| 5
| "[[Dream On (Aerosmith song)|Dream On]]"
| style="background:#FDFC8F" |Safe
|-style="border-top:5px solid"
! scope="row" | Kris Allen &<br>Danny Gokey
| 3
| "[[Renegade (Styx song)|Renegade]]"
| bgcolor="darkgray" rowspan="2" |
|-
! scope="row" | Allison Iraheta<br>& Adam Lambert
| 6
| "[[Slow Ride]]"
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ Non-competition performance
|-
! scope="col" | Performers
! scope="col" | Song
|-
! scope="row" | Top 4
|"[[School's Out (song)|School's Out]]"
|-
! scope="row" | [[Paula Abdul]]
| "[[I'm Just Here for the Music]]"
|-
! scope="row" | [[No Doubt]]
| "[[Just a Girl]]"
|-
! scope="row" | [[Daughtry (band)|Daughtry]]
| "[[No Surprise (Daughtry song)|No Surprise]]"
|}

===Top 3===
Each contestant performed two songs: one chosen by the judges and one chosen by the contestant. Contestants are listed in the order they performed.
{| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! scope="col"| Contestant
! scope="col"| Order
! scope="col"| Song
! scope="col"| Result
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" | Danny Gokey
| 1
| "[[Dance Little Sister (Terence Trent D'Arby song)|Dance Little Sister]]"{{Efn|Song chosen by [[Paula Abdul]].}}
| rowspan="2" bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated
|-
| 4
| "[[You Are So Beautiful]]"
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" | Kris Allen
| 2
| "[[Apologize (OneRepublic song)|Apologize]]"{{Efn|Song chosen by [[Randy Jackson]] and [[Kara DioGuardi]].}}
| rowspan="2" bgcolor="FDFC8F" | Safe
|-
| 5
| "[[Heartless (Kanye West song)|Heartless]]"
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" | Adam Lambert
| 3
|"[[One (U2 song)|One]]"{{Efn|Song chosen by [[Simon Cowell]].}}
| rowspan="2" bgcolor="FDFC8F" | Safe
|-
| 6
| "[[Cryin']]"
|}
{| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;"
|+Non-competition performance
! scope="col" |Performers
! scope="col" |Song
|-
! scope="row" | Noah Mushimiyimana
| "I'm the World's Greatest"
|-
! scope="row" | [[Jordin Sparks]]
| "[[Battlefield (song)|Battlefield]]"
|-
! scope="row" | [[Katy Perry]]
| "[[Waking Up in Vegas]]"
|}
{{notelist}}

===Top 2 – Finale===
Each contestant performed three songs, one of which was chosen by producer [[Simon Fuller]], and are listed in the order they performed. Kris Allen won the coin toss the week prior and chose to perform second.
{| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! scope="col"| Contestant
! scope="col"| Order
! scope="col"| Song
! scope="col"| Result
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="3" | Adam Lambert
| 1
| "[[Mad World]]"
| rowspan="3" bgcolor="silver" | Runner-up
|-
| 3
| "[[A Change Is Gonna Come]]"{{Efn|name=Fuller|Song chosen by [[Simon Fuller]].}}
|-
| 5
| "[[No Boundaries (song)|No Boundaries]]"
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="3" | Kris Allen
| 2
| "[[Ain't No Sunshine]]"
| rowspan="3" bgcolor="gold" | '''Winner'''
|-
| 4
| "[[What's Going On (song)|What's Going On]]"{{Efn|name=Fuller}}
|-
| 6
| "[[No Boundaries (song)|No Boundaries]]"
|}
{{notelist}}
{| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;"
|+Non-competition performance
! scope="col" |Performers
! scope="col" |Song
|-
! scope="row" | [[Carrie Underwood]]
| "[[Home Sweet Home (Mötley Crüe song)#Carrie Underwood version|Home Sweet Home]]"
|-
! scope="row" | Top 13
| "[[So What (Pink song)|So What]]"
|-
! scope="row" | [[David Cook (singer)|David Cook]]
| "[[Permanent (song)|Permanent]]"
|-
! scope="row" | Lil Rounds<br>with [[Queen Latifah]]
| "[[Persona (Queen Latifah album)|Cue the Rain]]"
|-
! scope="row" | [[Anoop Desai]] & Alexis Grace<br>with [[Jason Mraz]]
| "[[I'm Yours (Jason Mraz song)|I'm Yours]]"
|-
! scope="row" | [[Kris Allen]]<br>with [[Keith Urban]]
| "[[Kiss a Girl]]"
|-
! scope="row" | [[Allison Iraheta]], Lil Rounds, [[Megan Joy]],<br>Alexis Grace & [[Jasmine Murray]]<br>with [[Fergie (singer)|Fergie]]
|"[[Glamorous (Fergie song)|Glamorous]]"<br>"[[Big Girls Don't Cry (Fergie song)|Big Girls Don't Cry]]"
|-
! scope="row" | [[The Black Eyed Peas]]
| "[[Boom Boom Pow]]"
|-
! scope="row" | [[Allison Iraheta]]<br>with [[Cyndi Lauper]]
| "[[Time After Time (Cyndi Lauper song)|Time After Time]]"
|-
! scope="row" | [[Danny Gokey]]<br>with [[Lionel Richie]]
| "[[Hello (Lionel Richie song)|Hello]]"<br>"[[Just Go (Lionel Richie song)|Just Go]]"<br>"[[All Night Long (All Night)|All Night Long]]"
|-
! scope="row" | [[Adam Lambert]]
|"[[Beth (song)|Beth]]"
|-
! scope="row" | [[Adam Lambert]]<br>with [[Kiss (band)|KISS]]
| "[[Detroit Rock City]]"<br>"[[Rock and Roll All Nite]]"
|-
! scope="row" | [[Matt Giraud]]<br>with [[Carlos Santana]]
| "[[Black Magic Woman]]"
|-
! scope="row" | Top 13<br>with [[Carlos Santana]]
| "[[Smooth (Santana song)|Smooth]]"
|-
! scope="row" | [[Megan Joy]] & [[Michael Sarver]]<br>with [[Steve Martin]]
| "[[The Crow: New Songs for the 5-String Banjo|Pretty Flowers]]"
|-
! scope="row" | [[Kris Allen]], [[Adam Lambert]], [[Danny Gokey]],<br>[[Matt Giraud]], [[Anoop Desai]], [[Scott MacIntyre]],<br>[[Michael Sarver]] & Jorge Nunez
| "[[Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?]]"
|-
! scope="row" | [[Rod Stewart]]
| "[[Maggie May]]"
|-
! scope="row" | [[Kris Allen]] & [[Adam Lambert]]
| "[[We Are the Champions]]"
|-
! scope="row" | [[Kris Allen]]
| "[[No Boundaries (song)|No Boundaries]]"
|}

==Elimination chart==
'''Color key:'''
{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|
{{legend|gold|Winner}}
{{legend|silver|Runner-up}}
{{legend|#FFEBCD|Did not perform}}
{{legend|#FDFC8F|Saved by the public}}
{{legend|#B0E0E6|Saved by the judges}}
{{legend|#e0f0ff|Bottom two or three}}
{{legend|#FF91A4|Eliminated}}
}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%;"
|+ ''American Idol'' (season 8) - Eliminations
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Contestant
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | {{abbr|Pl.|Place}}
! colspan="3" scope="col" style="width:7%;" | Semifinals
! scope="col" style="width:7%;" | Wild Card
! scope="col" style="width:7%;" | Top 13
! scope="col" style="width:7%;" | Top 11
! scope="col" style="width:7%;" | Top 10
! scope="col" style="width:7%;" | Top 9
! scope="col" style="width:7%;" | Top 8
! scope="col" colspan=2 style="width:7%;" | Top 7{{efn|Because the judges used their one "judges' save" to save [[Matt Giraud]], no one was eliminated. The following week was a Double Elimination.}}
! scope="col" style="width:7%;" | Top 5
! scope="col" style="width:7%;" | Top 4
! scope="col" style="width:7%;" | Top 3
! scope="col" style="width:7%;" | Finale
|-
! 2/18
! 2/26{{efn|Due to [[February 2009 Barack Obama speech to joint session of Congress|President Obama's 2009 speech to a joint session of Congress]] that took place on Tuesday, February 24, this week's performance show was moved to Wednesday, February 25, and the results show to Thursday, February 26.}}
! 3/4
! 3/5
! 3/11
! 3/18
! 3/26{{efn|Due to a [[White House]] press conference, this week's performance show aired on Wednesday, March 25, and the results show on Thursday, March 26.}}
! 4/1
! 4/8
! 4/15
! 4/22
! 4/29
! 5/6
! 5/13
! 5/20
|- style="height:40px"
! scope="row" |[[Kris Allen]]
| 1
| style="background:#ffebcd;" | N/A
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#ffebcd;"| N/A
| bgcolor="ffebcd" | N/A
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#e0f0ff"|Bottom three
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:gold;"|'''Winner'''
|- style="height:40px"
! scope="row" |[[Adam Lambert]]
| 2
| style="background:#ffebcd;" | N/A
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#ffebcd;"| N/A
| bgcolor="ffebcd" | N/A
| style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#e0f0ff"|Bottom two
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:silver;"|Runner-up
|- style="height:40px"
! scope="row" |[[Danny Gokey]]
| 3
| style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe
| style="background:#ffebcd;"| N/A
| style="background:#ffebcd;"| N/A
| bgcolor="ffebcd" | N/A
| style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#FF91A4|Eliminated
| style="background:#919191;"|
|- style="height:40px"
! scope="row" |[[Allison Iraheta]]
| 4
| style="background:#ffebcd;" | N/A
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#ffebcd;"| N/A
| bgcolor="ffebcd" | N/A
| style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe
| style="background:#e0f0ff"|Bottom three
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#e0f0ff"|Bottom three
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#e0f0ff"|Bottom three
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#FF91A4|Eliminated
| colspan="2" style="background:#919191" |
|- style="height:40px"
! scope="row" |[[Matt Giraud]]
| 5
| style="background:#ffebcd;" | N/A
| bgcolor="B0E0E6" | Wild Card
| style="background:#ffebcd;"| N/A
| style="background:#B0E0E6;"|Saved
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#e0f0ff"|Bottom two
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#B0E0E6;"|Saved
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#FF91A4|Eliminated
| colspan="3" style="background:#919191" |
|- style="height:40px"
! scope="row" |[[Anoop Desai]]
| rowspan="2" |6
| bgcolor="B0E0E6" | Wild Card
| style="background:#ffebcd;"| N/A
| style="background:#ffebcd;"| N/A
| style="background:#B0E0E6;"|Saved
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#e0f0ff"|Bottom two
| style="background:#e0f0ff"|Bottom two
| style="background:#e0f0ff"|Bottom three
|rowspan=2 style="background:#FF91A4|Eliminated
| colspan="4" rowspan="2" style="background:#919191" |
|- style="height:40px"
! scope="row" |Lil Rounds
| style="background:#ffebcd;"| N/A
| style="background:#ffebcd;"| N/A
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| bgcolor="ffebcd" | N/A
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#e0f0ff"|Bottom three
|style="background:#e0f0ff"|Bottom two
|- style="height:40px"
! scope="row" |[[Scott MacIntyre]]
| 8
| style="background:#ffebcd;" | N/A
| style="background:#ffebcd;"| N/A
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| bgcolor="ffebcd" | N/A
| style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#e0f0ff"|Bottom three
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#FF91A4|Eliminated
| colspan="6" style="background:#919191" |
|- style="height:40px"
! scope="row" |[[Megan Joy]]
| 9
| style="background:#ffebcd;" | N/A
| bgcolor="B0E0E6" | Wild Card
| style="background:#ffebcd;"| N/A
| bgcolor="B0E0E6" | Saved
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#FF91A4|Eliminated
| colspan="7" style="background:#919191" |
|- style="height:40px"
! scope="row" |[[Michael Sarver]]
| 10
| style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe
| style="background:#ffebcd;"| N/A
| style="background:#ffebcd;"| N/A
| bgcolor="ffebcd" | N/A
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| style="background:#e0f0ff"|Bottom two
| style="background:#FF91A4|Eliminated
| colspan="8" style="background:#919191" |
|- style="height:40px"
! scope="row" |Alexis Grace
| 11
| style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe
| style="background:#ffebcd;"| N/A
| style="background:#ffebcd;"| N/A
| bgcolor="ffebcd" | N/A
| style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe
| style="background:#FF91A4|Eliminated
| colspan="9" style="background:#919191" |
|- style="height:40px"
! scope="row" |Jorge Núñez
| rowspan="2" |12
| style="background:#ffebcd;" | N/A
| style="background:#ffebcd;"| N/A
| style="background:#FDFC8F;"|Safe
| bgcolor="ffebcd" | N/A
| rowspan="2" style="background:#FF91A4" |Eliminated
| colspan="10" rowspan="2" style="background:#919191" |
|- style="height:40px"
! scope="row" |[[Jasmine Murray]]
| style="background:#ffebcd;"| N/A
| bgcolor="B0E0E6" | Wild Card
| style="background:#ffebcd;"| N/A
|style="background:#B0E0E6;"|Saved
|- style="height:40px"
! scope="row" |Ricky Braddy
| rowspan="23" bgcolor="919191" |
| bgcolor="B0E0E6" | Wild Card
| style="background:#ffebcd;"| N/A
| style="background:#ffebcd;"| N/A
|rowspan=4 style="background:#FF91A4|Eliminated
| colspan="11" rowspan="4" style="background:#919191" |
|- style="height:40px"
! scope="row" |Tatiana Del Toro
| bgcolor="B0E0E6" | Wild Card
| style="background:#ffebcd;"| N/A
| style="background:#ffebcd;"| N/A
|- style="height:40px"
! scope="row" |Jesse Langseth
| style="background:#ffebcd;"| N/A
| bgcolor="B0E0E6" | Wild Card
| style="background:#ffebcd;"| N/A
|- style="height:40px"
! scope="row" |[[Von Smith]]
| style="background:#ffebcd;"| N/A
| style="background:#ffebcd;"| N/A
| bgcolor="B0E0E6" | Wild Card
|- style="height:40px"
! scope="row" |[[Arianna Afsar]]
| style="background:#ffebcd;"|N/A
| style="background:#ffebcd;"|N/A
|rowspan=8 style="background:#FF91A4|Eliminated
| colspan="12" rowspan="8" style="background:#919191" |
|- style="height:40px"
! scope="row" |[[Felicia Barton]]
| style="background:#ffebcd;"|N/A
| style="background:#ffebcd;"|N/A
|- style="height:40px"
! scope="row" |Kendall Beard
| style="background:#ffebcd;"|N/A
| style="background:#ffebcd;"|N/A
|- style="height:40px"
! scope="row" |Ju'Not Joyner
| style="background:#ffebcd;"|N/A
| style="background:#ffebcd;"|N/A
|- style="height:40px"
! scope="row" |Nathaniel Marshall
| style="background:#ffebcd;"|N/A
| style="background:#ffebcd;"|N/A
|- style="height:40px"
! scope="row" |Kristen McNamara
| style="background:#ffebcd;"|N/A
| style="background:#ffebcd;"|N/A
|- style="height:40px"
! scope="row" |Taylor Vaifanua
| style="background:#ffebcd;"|N/A
| style="background:#ffebcd;"|N/A
|- style="height:40px"
! scope="row" |Alex Wagner-Trugman
| style="background:#ffebcd;"|N/A
| style="background:#ffebcd;"|N/A
|- style="height:40px"
! scope="row" |Matt Breitzke
| style="background:#ffebcd;"|N/A
|rowspan=5 style="background:#FF91A4|Eliminated
| colspan="13" rowspan="5" style="background:#919191" |
|- style="height:40px"
! scope="row" |Mishavonna Henson
| style="background:#ffebcd;"|N/A
|- style="height:40px"
! scope="row" |Kai Kalama
| style="background:#ffebcd;"|N/A
|- style="height:40px"
! scope="row" |Nick Mitchell
| style="background:#ffebcd;"|N/A
|- style="height:40px"
! scope="row" |Jeanine Vailes
| style="background:#ffebcd;"|N/A
|- style="height:40px"
! scope="row" |Ann Marie Boskovich
|rowspan=6 style="background:#FF91A4|Eliminated
| colspan="14" rowspan="6" style="background:#919191" |
|- style="height:40px"
! scope="row" |[[Quigley (musician)|Casey Carlson]]
|- style="height:40px"
! scope="row" |Stephen Fowler
|- style="height:40px"
! scope="row" |Brent Keith
|- style="height:40px"
! scope="row" |[[Jackie Tohn]]
|- style="height:40px"
! scope="row" |Stevie Wright
|}
{{notelist}}

==Controversies==

In the top 13, the expected telephone number for contestant Alexis Grace, 1-866-IDOLS-13, was not owned by American Idol, but by a company called Intimate Encounters, who used it as a [[phone sex]] line.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/idol-has-avoid-porn-line-13th-singer-wbna29618724 |title=‘Idol’ has to avoid porn line for 13th singer - Entertainment - Reality TV - TODAYshow.com<!-- Bot generated title --> |date=March 10, 2009 |access-date=November 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170210230642/http://www.today.com/popculture/idol-has-avoid-porn-line-13th-singer-wbna29618724 |archive-date=February 10, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> Although host Ryan Seacrest mentioned the replacement phone number, 1-866-IDOLS-36, several times, some commentators feared that the phone number confusion could lead to Grace being inadvertently voted off the show.<ref name="sexline">{{Cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1606780/20090311/story.jhtml |title=Will 'Idol' Phone Snafu Sink Alexis Grace? |first=James |last=Montgomery |date=March 11, 2009 |access-date=March 15, 2009 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090314013235/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1606780/20090311/story.jhtml| archive-date= March 14, 2009 | url-status= dead}}</ref> However, Grace was not voted off that week.

After the top 11 program, [[Justin Guarini]], while hosting ''Idol Wrap'' on TV Guide channel, asserted that the show's group performances were being [[lip-sync]]ed.<ref name=nyt>{{Cite news |title='Idol' Group Numbers: Not So Live After All |work=The New York Times |date=March 25, 2009 |first=Edward |last=Wyatt |page=C1 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/26/arts/television/26idol.html?_r=1 |access-date=February 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181208120705/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/26/arts/television/26idol.html?_r=1 |archive-date=December 8, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Soon after Guarini's assertion was aired, a spokesperson for the producers of ''American Idol'' said, "The Idols don't lip-sync, period."<ref name=nyt/> The following day, the same spokesperson said that "due to extensive choreography and to balance their voices with open mics against a screaming audience, the Idols do sing along to their own prerecorded vocal track during the group performances only."<ref name=nyt/><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1607786/20090326/story.jhtml |title='American Idol' Producers Admit Group Sing-Alongs Are Lip-Synched |work=MTV |first=Gil |last=Kaufman |date=March 26, 2009 |access-date=March 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090329060955/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1607786/20090326/story.jhtml |archive-date=March 29, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The spokesperson maintained that the performers sing their solo songs live, but their performances available to download through [[iTunes]] are recorded prior to airing.<ref name=nyt/>

Kris Allen's win over Adam Lambert resulted in controversy about the voting process, prompted by a claim that of the nearly 100 million votes cast,<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8060846.stm |title=American Idol winner is crowned |date=May 21, 2009 |access-date=May 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090526133944/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8060846.stm |archive-date=May 26, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> as many as "38 million" votes may have come from [[Arkansas]], which was Allen's home state,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/report-kris-allen-home-state-cast-38-million-american-idol-votes-9015.php |title=Report: Kris Allen's home state cast 38&nbsp;million 'American Idol' votes |publisher=Realitytvworld.com |date=May 21, 2009 |access-date=February 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111026040355/http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/report-kris-allen-home-state-cast-38-million-american-idol-votes-9015.php |archive-date=October 26, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> despite the fact that the state only had a population of 2.86 million people at the time. Although the claim was later retracted,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fox16.com/news/local/story/Conway-reacts-to-Kris-win/sv8BNSsGY0G8GRZWSr0fRw.cspx |title=Conway reacts to Kris' win |publisher=Fox16.com |access-date=February 24, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711022202/http://www.fox16.com/news/local/story/Conway-reacts-to-Kris-win/sv8BNSsGY0G8GRZWSr0fRw.cspx |archive-date=July 11, 2011 }}</ref> it resulted in allegations that [[AT&T]] may have influenced the results.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/27/business/media/27idol.html?ref=media | work=The New York Times | title=AT&T May Have Swayed 'Idol' Results | first=Edward | last=Wyatt | date=May 27, 2009 | access-date=April 23, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610225624/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/27/business/media/27idol.html?ref=media | archive-date=June 10, 2015 | url-status=live }}</ref> [[Fox Network|Fox]] had previously denied these claims as baseless, stating that the network has no preference on who the winner might be.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/25/arts/television/25idol.html?_r=1&ref=television | work=The New York Times | title='Idol' Strives to Sustain Its High Note | first=Edward | last=Wyatt | date=May 25, 2009 | access-date=April 23, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610200219/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/25/arts/television/25idol.html?_r=1&ref=television | archive-date=June 10, 2015 | url-status=live }}</ref> AT&T meanwhile said in a statement that the vote tally above was based on incorrect information and apologized by saying that "AT&T does not divulge or confirm how many votes were cast in any state."<ref>[http://www.fox16.com/news/local/story/Conway-reacts-to-Kris-win/sv8BNSsGY0G8GRZWSr0fRw.cspx Conway reacts to Kris' win - FOX16.com Little Rock, AR<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711022202/http://www.fox16.com/news/local/story/Conway-reacts-to-Kris-win/sv8BNSsGY0G8GRZWSr0fRw.cspx |date=July 11, 2011 }}</ref> On May 27, 2009, the producers of the show stated that they "stand by the outcome" and are "absolutely certain" that "without a doubt Kris Allen is the American Idol."<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/28/business/media/28idol.html?ref=business | work=The New York Times | title='Idol' Producers Stand by Outcome | first=Edward | last=Wyatt | date=May 28, 2009 | access-date=April 23, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610225540/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/28/business/media/28idol.html?ref=business | archive-date=June 10, 2015 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2009/05/american-idol-a.html 'American Idol' voting controversy: AT&T and Fox deny impact on results | Inside TV | EW.com<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090701070309/http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2009/05/american-idol-a.html |date=July 1, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/05/27/ent.american.idol.voting/index.html | work=CNN | title=Fox: Allen won 'Idol' fair and square - CNN.com | access-date=April 23, 2010 | date=May 27, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090707235722/http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/05/27/ent.american.idol.voting/index.html | archive-date=July 7, 2009 | url-status=live }}</ref>

==Awards and nominations==


===Primetime Emmy Awards===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
| bgcolor="#CCCCCC" align="Center"|'''Audition City'''
| bgcolor="#CCCCCC" align="Center"|'''Date'''
| bgcolor="#CCCCCC" align="Center"|'''Audition Venue'''
|-
|-
! Year
| align="center" bgcolor="#FAF6F6"|[[San Francisco, California|San Francisco, CA]]<ref>Release says [[San Francisco]]; arena is actually in Daly City, though part of its property is in San Francisco.</ref>
! Category
| align="center" bgcolor="#FAF6F6"|July 17, 2008
! Nominee(s)<ref name="rolesemmy">{{Cite news | first=Joyce | last=Eng | title=Kristin Chenoweth, Jon Cryer Win First Emmys | url=https://www.tvguide.com/News/Kristin-Chenoweth-Jon-1009931.aspx | work=TVGuide.com | date=September 20, 2009 | access-date=September 20, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090924170357/http://www.tvguide.com/News/Kristin-Chenoweth-Jon-1009931.aspx | archive-date=September 24, 2009 | url-status=live }}</ref>
| align="center" bgcolor="#FAF6F6"|[[Cow Palace]]
! Episode
! Result
|-
|-
|rowspan="3"| 2009 || [[61st Primetime Emmy Awards|Outstanding Reality Show or Reality Competition]] || ''[[American Idol]]'' || || {{nom}}
| align="center" bgcolor="#FAF6F6"|[[Louisville, Kentucky|Louisville, KY]]
| align="center" bgcolor="#FAF6F6"|July 21, 2008
| align="center" bgcolor="#FAF6F6"|[[Freedom Hall]]
|-
|-
|| Outstanding Directing For a Variety, Music Or Comedy Special || Bruce Gowers || Show 833 (The Final Three) || {{won}}
| align="center" bgcolor="#FAF6F6"|[[Glendale, Arizona|Glendale, AZ]]<ref>Release says [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]]; arena is actually in Glendale.</ref>
| align="center" bgcolor="#FAF6F6"|July 25, 2008
| align="center" bgcolor="#FAF6F6"|[[Jobing.com Arena]]
|-
|-
|Outstanding Host for a Reality-Competition Program || [[Ryan Seacrest]] || || {{nom}}
| align="center" bgcolor="#FAF6F6"|[[Salt Lake City, Utah|Salt Lake City, UT]]
|}
| align="center" bgcolor="#FAF6F6"|July 29, 2008

| align="center" bgcolor="#FAF6F6"|[[EnergySolutions Arena]]
===Teen Choice Awards===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! Year
| align="center" bgcolor="#FAF6F6"|[[San Juan, Puerto Rico]]
! Category
| align="center" bgcolor="#FAF6F6"|August 2, 2008
! Nominee(s)
| align="center" bgcolor="#FAF6F6"|[[Coliseo de Puerto Rico]]
! Result
|-
|-
|rowspan="3"| 2009 || rowspan="2"|[[Teen Choice Awards|Choice Male Reality/Variety Star]] || [[Kris Allen]] || {{nom}}
| align="center" bgcolor="#FAF6F6"|[[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City, MO]]
| align="center" bgcolor="#FAF6F6"|August 8, 2008
| align="center" bgcolor="#FAF6F6"|[[Kemper Arena]]
|-
|-
|[[Adam Lambert]] || {{won}}
| align="center" bgcolor="#FAF6F6"|[[Jacksonville, Florida|Jacksonville, FL]]
| align="center" bgcolor="#FAF6F6"|August 13, 2008
| align="center" bgcolor="#FAF6F6"|[[Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena]]
|-
|-
|Choice Summer Tour || ''American Idol'' Top 10 || {{nom}}
| align="center" bgcolor="#FAF6F6"|[[East Rutherford, New Jersey|East Rutherford, NJ]]
| align="center" bgcolor="#FAF6F6"|August 19, 2008
| align="center" bgcolor="#FAF6F6"|[[IZOD Center]]
|}
|}


== U.S. Nielsen ratings ==
Contestants are required to be between the ages 16 and 28 on [[July 15]], [[2008]] and eligible to work in the [[United States]]. Those ineligible include former contestants who reached the top 40 of past seasons, (although those who made the top 50 during season 7 are eligible if they meet all other eligibility criteria), and those holding recording or management contracts or those who are not US citizens or landed immigrants. (i.e. temporary residents).
The eighth season was the top show for the 2008–09 broadcast primetime season and took the top two spots for its Tuesday and Wednesday episodes. The viewers number for the Wednesday episodes averaged 25.527 million, while the Tuesday episodes averaged 24.741 million.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/05/27/american-idol-dancing-with-the-stars-top-average-viewership-for-2008-9-season/19519 |title=American Idol, Dancing With The Stars Top Average Viewership For 2008-9 Season |access-date=February 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110816122007/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/05/27/american-idol-dancing-with-the-stars-top-average-viewership-for-2008-9-season/19519/ |archive-date=August 16, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The ratings were down from the seventh season, with the finale dropping 13% in the 18–49 demo and 9% in total viewers number.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ibarra |first=Sergio |url=http://www.tvweek.com/news/2009/05/american_idol_finale_ratings_h.php |title='American Idol' Finale Hits Ratings Low |publisher=Tvweek.com |date=May 21, 2009 |access-date=February 24, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101229025338/http://www.tvweek.com/news/2009/05/american_idol_finale_ratings_h.php |archive-date=December 29, 2010 }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable collapsible" style="width:95%; margin:1em auto 1em auto;"
|-
! style="background:#8b8589;" | '''Episode list'''
|-
|style="padding:0; border:none;"|
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:0; width:100%;"
|-
! Show
! Episode
! Air date
! Week<br />rank
! Rating/<br />Share
! 18-49<br />rating/Share
! Viewers<br />(millions)
|-
| 1
| "Phoenix Auditions"<ref name="tvbythenumbers Jan 21, 2009">{{Cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/01/21/afc-championship-game-american-idol-dominate-weekly-viewing/11200 |title=tvbythenumbers Jan 21, 2009 |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011094259/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/01/21/afc-championship-game-american-idol-dominate-weekly-viewing/11200/ |archive-date=October 11, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| January 13, 2009
| 2
| 15.8 / 23
| 11.7 / 28
| 30.424
|-
| 2
| "Kansas City Auditions"<ref name="tvbythenumbers Jan 21, 2009"/>
| January 14, 2009
| 3
| 16.4 / 25
| 11.8 / 30
| 30.322
|-
| 3
| "San Francisco Auditions"<ref name="tvbythenumbers Jan 27, 2009">{{Cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/01/27/american-idol-csi-and-two-and-a-half-men-lead-weekly-viewing/11623 |title=Jan 27, 2009 |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011094333/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/01/27/american-idol-csi-and-two-and-a-half-men-lead-weekly-viewing/11623/ |archive-date=October 11, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| January 20, 2009
| 2
| 12.1 / 18
| 9.0 / 22
| 22.773
|-
| 4
| "Louisville Auditions"<ref name="tvbythenumbers Jan 27, 2009"/>
| January 21, 2009
| 1
| 14.3 / 22
| 9.8 / 24
| 25.897
|-
| 5
| "Jacksonville Auditions"<ref name="tvbythenumbers Feb 3, 2009">{{Cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/02/03/super-bowl-xliii-and-american-idol-lead-weekly-broadcast/12085 |title=Feb 3, 2009 |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011094747/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/02/03/super-bowl-xliii-and-american-idol-lead-weekly-broadcast/12085/ |archive-date=October 11, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| January 27, 2009
| 4
| 13.7 / 20
| 9.6 / 24
| 25.539
|-
| 6
| "Salt Lake City Auditions"<ref name="tvbythenumbers Feb 3, 2009"/>
| January 28, 2009
| 3
| 15.0 / 23
| 10.1 / 25
| 27.364
|-
| 7
| "New York & San Juan Auditions"<ref name="tvbythenumbers Feb 3, 2009"/>
| January 29, 2009
| 5
| 13.6 / 21
| 9.3 / 25
| 24.613
|-
| 8
| "Hollywood Round, Part 1"<ref name="tvbythenumbers Feb 10, 2009">{{Cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/02/10/american-idol-grammy-awards-and-60-minutes-lead-weekly-viewing/12518 |title=Feb 10, 2009 |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323235910/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/02/10/american-idol-grammy-awards-and-60-minutes-lead-weekly-viewing/12518/ |archive-date=March 23, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| February 3, 2009
| 1
| 14.7 / 22
| 10.0 / 25
| 26.601
|-
| 9
| "Hollywood Round, Part 2"<ref name="tvbythenumbers Feb 10, 2009"/>
| February 4, 2009
| 2
| 14.8 / 23
| 9.9 / 27
| 26.384
|-
| 10
| "Hollywood Round, Part 3"<ref name="tvbythenumbers Feb 18, 2009">{{Cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/02/18/american-idol-the-mentalist-and-ncis-lead-weekly-broadast-viewing/13031 |title=tvbythenumbers Feb 18, 2009 |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120826123449/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/02/18/american-idol-the-mentalist-and-ncis-lead-weekly-broadast-viewing/13031/ |archive-date=August 26, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| February 10, 2009
| 2
| 13.9 / 21
| 9.2
| 24.941
|-
| 11
| "Hollywood Round, Part 4"<ref name="tvbythenumbers Feb 18, 2009"/>
| February 11, 2009
| 1
| 14.0 / 22
| 9.5
| 24.825
|-
| 12
| "Group 1 Semi-finalists Perform"<ref name="tvbythenumbers Feb 24, 2009">{{Cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/02/24/academy-awards-american-idol-and-the-mentalist-lead-broadcast-viewing/13416 |title=Feb 24, 2009 |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011094506/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/02/24/academy-awards-american-idol-and-the-mentalist-lead-broadcast-viewing/13416/ |archive-date=October 11, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| February 17, 2009
| 2
| 14.3 / 21
| 9.6
| 25.374
|-
| 13
| "Group 1 Results Show"<ref name="tvbythenumbers Feb 24, 2009"/>
| February 18, 2009
| 3
| 14.1 / 22
| 9.0 / 24
| 24.790
|-
| 14
| "Group 2 Semi-finalists Perform"<ref name="TVbythenumbers 03-03-2009">{{Cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/03/03/american-idol-ncis-and-csi-lead-weekly-broadcast-viewing/13874 |title=TV by the numbers 03-03-2009 |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011094521/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/03/03/american-idol-ncis-and-csi-lead-weekly-broadcast-viewing/13874/ |archive-date=October 11, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| February 25, 2009
| 1
| 13.8 / 21
| 9.1
| 24.541
|-
| 15
| "Group 2 Results Show"<ref name="TVbythenumbers 03-03-2009"/>
| February 26, 2009
| 2
| 11.9 / 19
| 7.1 / 19
| 20.889
|-
| 16
| "Group 3 Semi-finalists Perform"<ref name="TV by the numbers 03-10-2009">{{Cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/03/10/lead-weekly-viewing/14240 |title=TV by the numbers 03-10-2009 |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011094537/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/03/10/lead-weekly-viewing/14240/ |archive-date=October 11, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| March 3, 2009
| 1
| 13.8 / 21
| 9.0
| 24.309
|-
| 17
| "Group 3 Results Show"<ref name="TV by the numbers 03-10-2009"/>
| March 4, 2009
| 2
| 13.1 / 21
| 7.8 / 22
| 22.776
|-
| 18
| "Wild Card Round"<ref name="TV by the numbers 03-10-2009" />
| March 5, 2009
| 3
| 12.2 / 19
| 7.6 / 20
| 21.498
|-
| 19
| "Top 13 Perform"<ref name="TV by the numbers 03-17-2009">{{Cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/03/17/american-idol-dancing-with-the-stars-and-csi-top-broadcast-net-viewing/14708 |title=TV by the numbers 03-17-2009 |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120917023947/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/03/17/american-idol-dancing-with-the-stars-and-csi-top-broadcast-net-viewing/14708/ |archive-date=September 17, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| March 10, 2009
| 1
| 14.6 / 23
| 9.5
| 25.767
|-
| 20
| "Top 13 Results""<ref name="TV by the numbers 03-17-2009" />
| March 11, 2009
| 2
| 14.6 / 22
| 9.1 / 22
| 25.547
|-
| 21
| "Top 11 Perform"<ref name="TV by the numbers 03-24-2009">{{Cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/03/24/american-idol-dancing-with-the-stars-and-60-minutes-lead-overall-viewing/15090 |title=TV by the numbers 03-24-2009 |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922143548/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/03/24/american-idol-dancing-with-the-stars-and-60-minutes-lead-overall-viewing/15090/ |archive-date=September 22, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| March 17, 2009
| 2
| 12.3 / 19
| 8.1 / 21
| 21.886
|-
| 22
| "Top 11 Results"<ref name="TV by the numbers 03-24-2009"/>
| March 18, 2009
| 1
| 13.7 / 21
| 8.7
| 23.705
|-
| 23
| "Top 10 Perform"<ref name="TV by the numbers 03-31-2009">{{Cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/03/31/american-idol-dancing-with-the-stars-ncis-and-the-mentalist-lead-weekly-viewing/15588 |title=TV by the numbers 03-31-2009 |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023144549/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/03/31/american-idol-dancing-with-the-stars-ncis-and-the-mentalist-lead-weekly-viewing/15588/ |archive-date=October 23, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| March 25, 2009
| 1
| 14.7 / 23
| 9.3
| 26.025
|-
| 24
| "Top 10 Results"<ref name="TV by the numbers 03-31-2009" />
| March 26, 2009
| 2
| 13.2 / 21
| 7.7
| 23.102
|-
| 25
| "Top 9 Perform"<ref name="TV by the numbers 04-07-2009">{{Cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/04/07/ratings-er-finale-shines-but-american-idol-dancing-with-the-stars-and-ncis-still-lead-weekly-viewing/16153 |title=TV by the numbers 04-07-2009 |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011094608/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/04/07/ratings-er-finale-shines-but-american-idol-dancing-with-the-stars-and-ncis-still-lead-weekly-viewing/16153/ |archive-date=October 11, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| March 31, 2009
| 1
| 13.7 / 21
| 8.9
| 24.410
|-
| 26
| "Top 9 Results"<ref name="TV by the numbers 04-07-2009" />
| April 1, 2009
| 2
| 14.2 / 22
| 8.4 / 20
| 24.342
|-
| 27
| "Top 8 Perform"<ref name="TV by the numbers 04-14-2009">{{Cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/04/14/from-american-idol-to-harpers-island-top-20-shows-for-week-of-april-6-12/16715 |title=TV by the numbers 04-14-2009 |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120917024349/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/04/14/from-american-idol-to-harpers-island-top-20-shows-for-week-of-april-6-12/16715/ |archive-date=September 17, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| April 7, 2009
| 2
| 13.1 / 21
| 8.1 / 22
| 22.813
|-
| 28
| "Top 8 Results"<ref name="TV by the numbers 04-14-2009" />
| April 8, 2009
| 1
| 13.4 / 21
| 8.0 / 20
| 22.976
|-
| 29
| "Top 7 Perform"<ref name="TV by the numbers 04-21-2009">{{Cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/04/21/from-american-idol-to-the-amazing-race-the-top-20-shows-for-week-of-april-13-19/17131 |title=TV by the numbers 04-21-2009 |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120917024405/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/04/21/from-american-idol-to-the-amazing-race-the-top-20-shows-for-week-of-april-13-19/17131/ |archive-date=September 17, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| April 14, 2009
| 1
| 13.8 / 21
| 8.2 / 23
| 24.378
|-
| 30
| "Top 7 Results"<ref name="TV by the numbers 04-21-2009" />
| April 15, 2009
| 2
| 14.0 / 22
| 8.0 / 20
| 24.114
|-
| 31
| "Top 7 Redux"<ref name="TV by the numbers 04-28-2009">{{Cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/04/28/top-fox-primetime-shows-april-20-26-2009/17582 |title=TV by the numbers 04-28-2009 |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716025722/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/04/28/top-fox-primetime-shows-april-20-26-2009/17582/ |archive-date=July 16, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| April 21, 2009
| 1
| 13.9 / 22
| 8.2
| 23.963
|-
| 32
| "Top 7 Redux Results"<ref name="TV by the numbers 04-28-2009" />
| April 22, 2009
| 2
| 14.0 / 22
| 8.3
| 23.947
|-
| 33
| "Top 5 Perform"<ref name="TV by the numbers 05-06-2009">{{Cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/05/06/weekly-top-shows-which-jj-abrams-show-did-better/18168 |title=TV by the numbers 05-06-2009 |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922144131/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/05/06/weekly-top-shows-which-jj-abrams-show-did-better/18168/ |archive-date=September 22, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| April 28, 2009
| 1
| 13.5 / 21
| 8.1
| 23.261
|-
| 34
| "Top 5 Results"<ref name="TV by the numbers 05-06-2009" />
| April 29, 2009
| 2
| 13.2 / 20
| 7.7 / 19
| 22.369
|-
| 35
| "Top 4 Perform"<ref name="TV by the numbers 05-12-2009">{{Cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/05/12/greys-anatomy-queen-of-scripted-shows-lost-bests-fringe/18543 |title=TV by the numbers 05-12-2009 |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120923191810/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/05/12/greys-anatomy-queen-of-scripted-shows-lost-bests-fringe/18543/ |archive-date=September 23, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| May 5, 2009
| 1
| 13.4 / 21
| 8.3
| 23.414
|-
| 36
| "Top 4 Results"<ref name="TV by the numbers 05-12-2009" />
| May 6, 2009
| 2
| 13.7 / 21
| 8.3 / 20
| 23.574
|-
| 37
| "Top 3 Perform"<ref name="TV by the numbers 05-19-2009">{{Cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/05/19/american-idol-and-season-finales-lead-broadcast-prime-time-viewing/19080 |title=TV by the numbers 05-19-2009 |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011094724/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/05/19/american-idol-and-season-finales-lead-broadcast-prime-time-viewing/19080/ |archive-date=October 11, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| May 12, 2009
| 2
| 13.0 / 22
| 8.0
| 22.712
|-
| 38
| "Top 3 Results"<ref name="TV by the numbers 05-19-2009" />
| May 13, 2009
| 1
| 14.0 / 21
| 8.7 / 21
| 24.670
|-
| 39
| "Top 2 Perform"<ref name="TV by the numbers 05-27-2009">{{Cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/05/27/american-idol-two-and-a-half-men-and-dancing-lead-final-week-of-season/19462 |title=TV by the numbers 05-27-2009 |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018205240/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/05/27/american-idol-two-and-a-half-men-and-dancing-lead-final-week-of-season/19462/ |archive-date=October 18, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| May 19, 2009
| 2
| 13.5 / 21
| 8.6
| 23.822
|-
| 40
| "Season 8 Finale"<ref name="TV by the numbers 05-27-2009" />
| May 20, 2009
| 1
| 16.1 / 27
| 10.0
| 28.838
|}
|}

==See also==
* [[American Idols LIVE! Tour 2009]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.americanidol.com/ American Idol Official Website]
*[http://www.americanidol.com/ American Idol Official Website]
*{{IMDb episodes|0319931}}
*[http://www.mtv.com/news/topics/a/american_idol/ MTV's American Idol Coverage]

{{start box}}
{{succession box|title=''[[American Idol]]''|before=[[American Idol (season 7)|Season 7 (2008)]]|after=Season 9 (2010)|years='''''Season 8 (2009)'''''}}
{{end box}}


{{American Idol 8}}
{{American Idol}}
{{American Idol}}
{{TopUSTVShows}}


[[Category:American Idol seasons]]
[[Category:American Idol seasons]]
[[Category:2009 in television]]
[[Category:2009 American television seasons]]
[[Category:2009 in the United States]]
[[Category:Television shows directed by Bruce Gowers]]

[[ja:アメリカン・アイドル (シーズン8)]]
[[vi:American Idol (Mùa 8)]]
[[zh:美國偶像 (第八季)]]

Latest revision as of 23:06, 1 December 2024

American Idol
Season 8
Hosted byRyan Seacrest
JudgesPaula Abdul
Simon Cowell
Kara DioGuardi
Randy Jackson
WinnerKris Allen
Runner-upAdam Lambert
Finals venueNokia Theatre L.A. Live
Release
Original networkFox
Original releaseJanuary 13 (2009-01-13) –
May 20, 2009 (2009-05-20)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 7
Next →
Season 9
List of episodes

The eighth season of American Idol premiered on Tuesday, January 13, 2009, and concluded on May 20, 2009. Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson returned as judges, while Ryan Seacrest returned as host. This season introduced Kara DioGuardi as a permanent fourth judge.[1] This was also Paula Abdul's last season as a judge.[2] Kris Allen was announced the winner of the competition on May 20, 2009, defeating runner-up Adam Lambert after nearly 100 million votes were cast.

The eighth season saw numerous changes to the format of the show. There were 36 semifinalists instead of 24, and thirteen finalists instead of twelve: nine contestants chosen by the public and four by the judges in a Wild Card round. Another addition was the "judges' save," which allowed the judges to veto one elimination during the competition, and was used to veto Matt Giraud's elimination.

Multiple contestants from this season were signed to record deals, including Kris Allen, Adam Lambert, Danny Gokey, Allison Iraheta, Lil Rounds, Anoop Desai, and Michael Sarver.[3]

Changes from previous seasons

[edit]

Several changes were planned for the eighth season. Fox Entertainment president Kevin Reilly stated that Idol would feature fewer "William Hung-like" contestants and "funny auditions," and would quickly move its focus to the potential singers during the earlier stages of the competition, thus moving the season at a faster pace.[4] Mike Darnell, president of Fox's alternative programming, said the contestants would be more emotional and that viewers would learn more about them and their pasts than they had in the previous season.[5] Songwriter and record producer Kara DioGuardi was added as a permanent fourth judge. She had previously collaborated with Celine Dion, Hilary Duff, Britney Spears, Enrique Iglesias, Leona Lewis and Christina Aguilera, and produced several Top 40 hits. As a songwriter, she had already worked with several American Idol alumni and winners, including Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, David Archuleta, and David Cook.[6] Meanwhile, Ken Warwick became the new executive producer, as Nigel Lythgoe had left the show to focus on So You Think You Can Dance and his new show with Simon Fuller, Superstars of Dance.[7] Idol Gives Back was canceled for the eighth season, as the Great Recession left Idol officials uncomfortable about asking financially struggling viewers to donate.[8] The semifinals saw the biggest change as the Wild Card round returned for the first time since the third season. After voters picked three finalists from each of three groups of 12 semifinalists, the judges selected eight of the previously eliminated 27 semifinalists to return and perform on the March 5 show. They were judged by the panel, instead of a vote by the viewers, with four advancing to the finals.[9][10] Although the finals had been billed from the beginning of the season as a set of 12 contestants, the judges announced at the last minute that they would be advancing a fourth Wild Card contestant, resulting in 13 singers advancing to the finals.

Judges' save

[edit]

Another change to the Idol format was the judges' save, an element previously used in France's Nouvelle Star.[11] The judges were given the power to veto one elimination in the finals for that particular week. This could only be used until the top 5. The following week, two contestants would be eliminated if the judges' save were used. The save could only be used once per season and must be a unanimous decision. The new format change was revealed on March 11, 2009. The first recipient of the judges' save was Matt Giraud.

Regional auditions

[edit]

Auditions began July 17, 2008, and were held in the following cities:[12]

American Idol (season 8) – regional auditions
City Preliminary date Preliminary venue Filming date(s) Filming venue Golden tickets
San Francisco, California July 17, 2008 Cow Palace September 13, 2008 Westin St. Francis 12
Louisville, Kentucky July 21, 2008 Freedom Hall September 7–8, 2008 Churchill Downs[13] 19
Phoenix, Arizona July 25, 2008 Jobing.com Arena September 2008 The Boulders 27
Salt Lake City, Utah July 29, 2008 EnergySolutions Arena September 18–19, 2008 Wells Fargo Center 13
San Juan, Puerto Rico August 2, 2008 Coliseo de Puerto Rico September 2008 Conrad San Juan Condado Plaza 9
Kansas City, Missouri August 8, 2008 Kemper Arena October 5, 2008 Firestone Building[14] 27
Jacksonville, Florida August 13, 2008 Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena September 3, 2008 Amelia Island Plantation[15] 16
New York City, New York August 19, 2008 Izod Center August 26, 2008 Chelsea Piers[16] 26
Total number of tickets to Hollywood 149

Contestants were required to be between the ages of 16 and 28 on July 15, 2008, and eligible to work in the United States. Those ineligible included former contestants who had previously reached the semifinals of the first through third seasons, or the last phase of the Hollywood round of the fourth through seventh seasons, those holding recording or management contracts, or those who were not U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Hollywood week

[edit]

The Hollywood round moved from the Orpheum Theatre to the Kodak Theatre, which had previously been used for the finales in the first and third through sixth seasons.

In the first round, the 147 contestants each sang a short solo a cappella performance of any song. The next round had the remaining 107 contestants performing in groups of three or four. The 72 contestants who survived that round performed one more solo song, this time accompanied by a band, before being narrowed down to 54. The final 54 then went to the "judges' mansion" in Los Angeles for the final results, and the top 36 were announced. Some contestants had a sing-off to determine who would enter the top 36.

Semifinals

[edit]

The 36 contestants performed in three groups of twelve and sang songs that were Billboard Hot 100 hits. In each group, three people advanced to the next round via a public vote. After nine contestants had been chosen, the judges selected eight of the remaining 27 semifinalists to compete in the Wild Card round. Following another performance by each contender, each judge selected one contestant to advance to the final group of 13.

Color key:

  This contestant was chosen by the public and moved on to the live shows.
  This contestant was not chosen by the public and was left to perform again for the judges in the Wild Card round.
  This contestant was eliminated.

Group 1

[edit]

Contestants are listed in the order they performed.

Contestant Song Result
Jackie Tohn "A Little Less Conversation" Eliminated
Ricky Braddy "A Song for You" Wild Card
Alexis Grace "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)" Advanced
Brent Keith "Hicktown" Eliminated
Stevie Wright "You Belong with Me" Eliminated
Anoop Desai "Angel of Mine" Wild Card
Casey Carlson "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" Eliminated
Michael Sarver "I Don't Want to Be" Advanced
Ann Marie Boskovich "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" Eliminated
Stephen Fowler "Rock with You" Eliminated
Tatiana Del Toro "Saving All My Love for You" Wild Card
Danny Gokey "Hero" Advanced
Non-competition performance
Performers Song
Group 1 "I'm Yours"
Carly Smithson &
Michael Johns 		"The Letter"

Group 2

[edit]

Due to President Obama's 2009 speech to a joint session of Congress that took place on Tuesday, February 24, the performance show was moved to Wednesday, February 25, and the results show to Thursday, February 26. Contestants are listed in the order they performed.

Contestant Song Result
Jasmine Murray "Love Song" Wild Card
Matt Giraud "Viva la Vida" Wild Card
Jeanine Vailes "This Love" Eliminated
Nick Mitchell "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" Eliminated
Allison Iraheta "Alone" Advanced
Kris Allen "Man in the Mirror" Advanced
Megan Joy "Put Your Records On" Wild Card
Matt Breitzke "If You Could Only See" Eliminated
Jesse Langseth "Bette Davis Eyes" Wild Card
Kai Kalama "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" Eliminated
Mishavonna Henson "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)" Eliminated
Adam Lambert "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" Advanced
Non-competition performance
Performers Song
Group 2 "Closer"
Brooke White "Hold Up My Heart"

Group 3

[edit]

Contestants are listed in the order they performed.

Contestant Song Result
Von Smith "You're All I Need to Get By" Wild Card
Taylor Vaifanua "If I Ain't Got You" Eliminated
Alex Wagner-Trugman "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" Eliminated
Arianna Afsar "The Winner Takes It All" Eliminated
Ju'Not Joyner "Hey There Delilah" Eliminated
Kristen McNamara "Give Me One Reason" Eliminated
Nathaniel Marshall "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)" Eliminated
Felicia Barton[a] "No One" Eliminated
Scott MacIntyre "Mandolin Rain" Advanced
Kendall Beard "This One's for the Girls" Eliminated
Jorge Núñez "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" Advanced
Lil Rounds "Be Without You" Advanced
Non-competition performance
Performers Song
Group 3 "Hot n Cold"
  1. ^ Felicia Barton was initially eliminated prior to the semifinals. However, after Joanna Pacitti was disqualified, Felicia was invited back into the competition.

Wild Card round

[edit]

Contestants are listed in the order they performed.

Contestant Song Result
Jesse Langseth "Tell Me Something Good" Eliminated
Matt Giraud "Who's Lovin' You" Advanced
Megan Joy "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" Advanced
Von Smith "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" Eliminated
Jasmine Murray "Reflection" Advanced
Ricky Braddy "Superstition" Eliminated
Tatiana Del Toro "Saving All My Love for You" Eliminated
Anoop Desai "My Prerogative" Advanced

Top 13 finalists

[edit]
Eleven of the top thirteen finalists
Kris Allen
Adam Lambert
Danny Gokey
Allison Iraheta
Matt Giraud
Anoop Desai
Lil Rounds
Megan Joy
Michael Sarver
Alexis Grace
Jasmine Murray

Finals

[edit]

There were eleven weeks of finals with thirteen contestants competing. At least one contestant was eliminated every week based on the public's votes, although the judges could veto one elimination through the use of the "judges' save."

Color key:

  This contestant was saved by America's vote.
  This contestant was in the bottom two or three, but was saved by America's vote.
  This contestant was saved from elimination by the judges.
  This contestant was eliminated.
  This contestant won American Idol.
  This contestant was the runner-up.

Top 13 – Michael Jackson

[edit]

Contestants performed one song each from the Michael Jackson discography, and are listed in the order they performed. Two contestants were eliminated.

This episode re-aired on June 29, 2009, in a tribute to Michael Jackson after his death.[18] Simon Cowell had hoped that Jackson would perform on the show as part of his comeback tour.[19]

Contestant Michael Jackson song Result
Lil Rounds "The Way You Make Me Feel" Safe
Scott MacIntyre "Keep the Faith" Safe
Danny Gokey "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" Safe
Michael Sarver "You Are Not Alone" Safe
Jasmine Murray "I'll Be There" Eliminated
Kris Allen "Remember the Time" Safe
Allison Iraheta "Give In to Me" Safe
Anoop Desai "Beat It" Safe
Jorge Núñez "Never Can Say Goodbye" Eliminated
Megan Joy "Rockin' Robin" Safe
Adam Lambert "Black or White" Safe
Matt Giraud "Human Nature" Safe
Alexis Grace "Dirty Diana" Safe
Non-competition performance
Performers Song
Top 13 "I Want You Back"
"ABC"
Kanye West "Heartless"
Kelly Clarkson "My Life Would Suck Without You"

Top 11 – Grand Ole Opry

[edit]

Country singer Randy Travis served as a guest mentor this week. Contestants each performed one song from the Grand Ole Opry, and are listed in the order they performed.

Contestant Country song Result
Michael Sarver "Ain't Goin' Down ('Til the Sun Comes Up)" Bottom two
Allison Iraheta "Blame It on Your Heart" Bottom three
Kris Allen "Make You Feel My Love" Safe
Lil Rounds "Independence Day" Safe
Adam Lambert "Ring of Fire" Safe
Scott MacIntyre "Wild Angels" Safe
Alexis Grace "Jolene" Eliminated
Danny Gokey "Jesus, Take the Wheel" Safe
Anoop Desai "Always on My Mind" Safe
Megan Joy "Walkin' After Midnight" Safe
Matt Giraud "So Small" Safe
Non-competition performance
Performers Song
Top 11 "T-R-O-U-B-L-E"
Brad Paisley "Then"
Carrie Underwood & Randy Travis "I Told You So"

Top 10 – Motown

[edit]

Smokey Robinson served as a guest mentor this week. Contestants are listed in the order they performed.

The performance show aired on Wednesday, March 25, and the results show on Thursday, March 26, due to a White House press conference that aired on Tuesday, March 24.

Contestant Motown song Result
Matt Giraud "Let's Get It On" Bottom two
Kris Allen "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" Safe
Scott MacIntyre "You Can't Hurry Love" Bottom three
Megan Joy "For Once in My Life" Safe
Anoop Desai "Ooo Baby Baby" Safe
Michael Sarver "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" Eliminated
Lil Rounds "Heat Wave" Safe
Adam Lambert "The Tracks of My Tears" Safe
Danny Gokey "Get Ready" Safe
Allison Iraheta "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" Safe
Non-competition performance
Performers Song
Top 10 Motown medley:
"You Keep Me Hangin' On"
"You're All I Need to Get By"
"Ain't No Mountain High Enough"
Ruben Studdard "Together"
Smokey Robinson
& Joss Stone 		"You're the One for Me"
Stevie Wonder "My Chérie Amour"
"Superstition"
"Overjoyed"
"All About the Love Again"
[edit]

Contestants are listed in the order they performed.

Contestant Song Result
Anoop Desai "Caught Up" Bottom two
Megan Joy "Turn Your Lights Down Low" Eliminated
Danny Gokey "What Hurts the Most" Safe
Allison Iraheta "Don't Speak" Bottom three
Scott MacIntyre "Just the Way You Are" Safe
Matt Giraud "You Found Me" Safe
Lil Rounds "I Surrender" Safe
Adam Lambert "Play That Funky Music" Safe
Kris Allen "Ain't No Sunshine" Safe
Non-competition performance
Performers Song
Top 9 "Don't Stop Believin'"
David Cook "Come Back to Me"
Lady Gaga "Poker Face"

Top 8 – Contestants' birth year

[edit]

Contestants each performed one song from the year they were born, and are listed in the order they performed.

Contestant Song Birth year Result
Danny Gokey "Stand By Me" 1980 Safe
Kris Allen "All She Wants to Do Is Dance" 1985 Safe
Lil Rounds "What's Love Got to Do with It" 1984 Bottom three
Anoop Desai "True Colors" 1986 Bottom two
Scott MacIntyre "The Search Is Over" 1985 Eliminated
Allison Iraheta "I Can't Make You Love Me" 1991 Safe
Matt Giraud "Part-Time Lover" 1985 Safe
Adam Lambert "Mad World" 1982 Safe
Non-competition performance
Performers Song
Top 8 "Can't Get You Out of My Head"
Frankie Avalon "Venus"
Flo Rida & Wynter Gordon "Right Round"
Kellie Pickler "Best Days of Your Life"

Top 7 (April 15th) – Movie soundtracks

[edit]

Quentin Tarantino served as a guest mentor this week. Contestants chose songs featured in movies, and are listed in the order they performed. The judges chose to use their "judges' save" when Matt Giraud was announced as the performer to be eliminated. As a result, no one was eliminated this week.

Contestant Song Film Result
Allison Iraheta "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" Armageddon Safe
Anoop Desai "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves Bottom three
Adam Lambert "Born to Be Wild" Easy Rider Safe
Matt Giraud "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?" Don Juan DeMarco Saved by the judges
Danny Gokey "Endless Love" Endless Love Safe
Kris Allen "Falling Slowly" Once Safe
Lil Rounds "The Rose" The Rose Bottom two
Non-competition performance
Performers Song
Top 7 "Maniac"
Jennifer Hudson "If This Isn't Love"
Miley Cyrus "The Climb"

Top 7 (April 21st) – Disco

[edit]

Contestants are listed in the order they performed. Two contestants were eliminated.

Contestant Disco song Result
Lil Rounds "I'm Every Woman" Eliminated
Kris Allen "She Works Hard for the Money" Safe
Danny Gokey "September" Safe
Allison Iraheta "Hot Stuff" Bottom three
Adam Lambert "If I Can't Have You" Safe
Matt Giraud "Stayin' Alive" Safe
Anoop Desai "Dim All the Lights" Eliminated
Non-competition performance
Performers Song
Top 7 "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)"
David Archuleta "Touch My Hand"
Freda Payne,
Thelma Houston & KC 		Band of Gold"
"Don't Leave Me This Way"
"Get Down Tonight"

Top 5 – Rat Pack

[edit]

Jamie Foxx served as a guest mentor this week. Contestants performed one song each from the Rat Pack era, and are listed in the order they performed.

Contestant Rat Pack song Result
Kris Allen "The Way You Look Tonight" Bottom three
Allison Iraheta "Someone to Watch Over Me" Safe
Matt Giraud "My Funny Valentine" Eliminated
Danny Gokey "Come Rain or Come Shine" Safe
Adam Lambert "Feeling Good" Bottom two
Non-competition performance
Performers Song
Top 5 "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)"
"I Got Rhythm"
Natalie Cole "Something's Gotta Give"
Taylor Hicks "Seven Mile Breakdown"
Jamie Foxx "Blame It"

Top 4 – Rock music

[edit]

Slash served as a guest mentor this week. Each contestant performed two songs: one solo and one duet with a fellow contestant. Contestants are listed in the order they performed.

Contestant Order Rock song Result
Adam Lambert 1 "Whole Lotta Love" Safe
Allison Iraheta 2 "Cry Baby" Eliminated
Kris Allen 4 "Come Together" Safe
Danny Gokey 5 "Dream On" Safe
Kris Allen &
Danny Gokey 		3 "Renegade"
Allison Iraheta
& Adam Lambert 		6 "Slow Ride"
Non-competition performance
Performers Song
Top 4 "School's Out"
Paula Abdul "I'm Just Here for the Music"
No Doubt "Just a Girl"
Daughtry "No Surprise"

Top 3

[edit]

Each contestant performed two songs: one chosen by the judges and one chosen by the contestant. Contestants are listed in the order they performed.

Contestant Order Song Result
Danny Gokey 1 "Dance Little Sister"[a] Eliminated
4 "You Are So Beautiful"
Kris Allen 2 "Apologize"[b] Safe
5 "Heartless"
Adam Lambert 3 "One"[c] Safe
6 "Cryin'"
Non-competition performance
Performers Song
Noah Mushimiyimana "I'm the World's Greatest"
Jordin Sparks "Battlefield"
Katy Perry "Waking Up in Vegas"
  1. ^ Song chosen by Paula Abdul.
  2. ^ Song chosen by Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi.
  3. ^ Song chosen by Simon Cowell.

Top 2 – Finale

[edit]

Each contestant performed three songs, one of which was chosen by producer Simon Fuller, and are listed in the order they performed. Kris Allen won the coin toss the week prior and chose to perform second.

Contestant Order Song Result
Adam Lambert 1 "Mad World" Runner-up
3 "A Change Is Gonna Come"[a]
5 "No Boundaries"
Kris Allen 2 "Ain't No Sunshine" Winner
4 "What's Going On"[a]
6 "No Boundaries"
  1. ^ a b Song chosen by Simon Fuller.
Non-competition performance
Performers Song
Carrie Underwood "Home Sweet Home"
Top 13 "So What"
David Cook "Permanent"
Lil Rounds
with Queen Latifah 		"Cue the Rain"
Anoop Desai & Alexis Grace
with Jason Mraz 		"I'm Yours"
Kris Allen
with Keith Urban 		"Kiss a Girl"
Allison Iraheta, Lil Rounds, Megan Joy,
Alexis Grace & Jasmine Murray
with Fergie 		"Glamorous"
"Big Girls Don't Cry"
The Black Eyed Peas "Boom Boom Pow"
Allison Iraheta
with Cyndi Lauper 		"Time After Time"
Danny Gokey
with Lionel Richie 		"Hello"
"Just Go"
"All Night Long"
Adam Lambert "Beth"
Adam Lambert
with KISS 		"Detroit Rock City"
"Rock and Roll All Nite"
Matt Giraud
with Carlos Santana 		"Black Magic Woman"
Top 13
with Carlos Santana 		"Smooth"
Megan Joy & Michael Sarver
with Steve Martin 		"Pretty Flowers"
Kris Allen, Adam Lambert, Danny Gokey,
Matt Giraud, Anoop Desai, Scott MacIntyre,
Michael Sarver & Jorge Nunez 		"Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?"
Rod Stewart "Maggie May"
Kris Allen & Adam Lambert "We Are the Champions"
Kris Allen "No Boundaries"

Elimination chart

[edit]

Color key:

  Winner
  Runner-up
  Did not perform
  Saved by the public
  Saved by the judges
  Bottom two or three
  Eliminated
American Idol (season 8) - Eliminations
Contestant Pl. Semifinals Wild Card Top 13 Top 11 Top 10 Top 9 Top 8 Top 7[a] Top 5 Top 4 Top 3 Finale
2/18 2/26[b] 3/4 3/5 3/11 3/18 3/26[c] 4/1 4/8 4/15 4/22 4/29 5/6 5/13 5/20
Kris Allen 1 N/A Safe N/A N/A Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Bottom three Safe Safe Winner
Adam Lambert 2 N/A Safe N/A N/A Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Bottom two Safe Safe Runner-up
Danny Gokey 3 Safe N/A N/A N/A Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Eliminated
Allison Iraheta 4 N/A Safe N/A N/A Safe Bottom three Safe Bottom three Safe Safe Bottom three Safe Eliminated
Matt Giraud 5 N/A Wild Card N/A Saved Safe Safe Bottom two Safe Safe Saved Safe Eliminated
Anoop Desai 6 Wild Card N/A N/A Saved Safe Safe Safe Bottom two Bottom two Bottom three Eliminated
Lil Rounds N/A N/A Safe N/A Safe Safe Safe Safe Bottom three Bottom two
Scott MacIntyre 8 N/A N/A Safe N/A Safe Safe Bottom three Safe Eliminated
Megan Joy 9 N/A Wild Card N/A Saved Safe Safe Safe Eliminated
Michael Sarver 10 Safe N/A N/A N/A Safe Bottom two Eliminated
Alexis Grace 11 Safe N/A N/A N/A Safe Eliminated
Jorge Núñez 12 N/A N/A Safe N/A Eliminated
Jasmine Murray N/A Wild Card N/A Saved
Ricky Braddy Wild Card N/A N/A Eliminated
Tatiana Del Toro Wild Card N/A N/A
Jesse Langseth N/A Wild Card N/A
Von Smith N/A N/A Wild Card
Arianna Afsar N/A N/A Eliminated
Felicia Barton N/A N/A
Kendall Beard N/A N/A
Ju'Not Joyner N/A N/A
Nathaniel Marshall N/A N/A
Kristen McNamara N/A N/A
Taylor Vaifanua N/A N/A
Alex Wagner-Trugman N/A N/A
Matt Breitzke N/A Eliminated
Mishavonna Henson N/A
Kai Kalama N/A
Nick Mitchell N/A
Jeanine Vailes N/A
Ann Marie Boskovich Eliminated
Casey Carlson
Stephen Fowler
Brent Keith
Jackie Tohn
Stevie Wright
  1. ^ Because the judges used their one "judges' save" to save Matt Giraud, no one was eliminated. The following week was a Double Elimination.
  2. ^ Due to President Obama's 2009 speech to a joint session of Congress that took place on Tuesday, February 24, this week's performance show was moved to Wednesday, February 25, and the results show to Thursday, February 26.
  3. ^ Due to a White House press conference, this week's performance show aired on Wednesday, March 25, and the results show on Thursday, March 26.

Controversies

[edit]

In the top 13, the expected telephone number for contestant Alexis Grace, 1-866-IDOLS-13, was not owned by American Idol, but by a company called Intimate Encounters, who used it as a phone sex line.[20] Although host Ryan Seacrest mentioned the replacement phone number, 1-866-IDOLS-36, several times, some commentators feared that the phone number confusion could lead to Grace being inadvertently voted off the show.[21] However, Grace was not voted off that week.

After the top 11 program, Justin Guarini, while hosting Idol Wrap on TV Guide channel, asserted that the show's group performances were being lip-synced.[22] Soon after Guarini's assertion was aired, a spokesperson for the producers of American Idol said, "The Idols don't lip-sync, period."[22] The following day, the same spokesperson said that "due to extensive choreography and to balance their voices with open mics against a screaming audience, the Idols do sing along to their own prerecorded vocal track during the group performances only."[22][23] The spokesperson maintained that the performers sing their solo songs live, but their performances available to download through iTunes are recorded prior to airing.[22]

Kris Allen's win over Adam Lambert resulted in controversy about the voting process, prompted by a claim that of the nearly 100 million votes cast,[24] as many as "38 million" votes may have come from Arkansas, which was Allen's home state,[25] despite the fact that the state only had a population of 2.86 million people at the time. Although the claim was later retracted,[26] it resulted in allegations that AT&T may have influenced the results.[27] Fox had previously denied these claims as baseless, stating that the network has no preference on who the winner might be.[28] AT&T meanwhile said in a statement that the vote tally above was based on incorrect information and apologized by saying that "AT&T does not divulge or confirm how many votes were cast in any state."[29] On May 27, 2009, the producers of the show stated that they "stand by the outcome" and are "absolutely certain" that "without a doubt Kris Allen is the American Idol."[30][31][32]

Awards and nominations

[edit]

Primetime Emmy Awards

[edit]
Year Category Nominee(s)[33] Episode Result
2009 Outstanding Reality Show or Reality Competition American Idol Nominated
Outstanding Directing For a Variety, Music Or Comedy Special Bruce Gowers Show 833 (The Final Three) Won
Outstanding Host for a Reality-Competition Program Ryan Seacrest Nominated

Teen Choice Awards

[edit]
Year Category Nominee(s) Result
2009 Choice Male Reality/Variety Star Kris Allen Nominated
Adam Lambert Won
Choice Summer Tour American Idol Top 10 Nominated

U.S. Nielsen ratings

[edit]

The eighth season was the top show for the 2008–09 broadcast primetime season and took the top two spots for its Tuesday and Wednesday episodes. The viewers number for the Wednesday episodes averaged 25.527 million, while the Tuesday episodes averaged 24.741 million.[34] The ratings were down from the seventh season, with the finale dropping 13% in the 18–49 demo and 9% in total viewers number.[35]

Episode list
Show Episode Air date Week
rank 		Rating/
Share 		18-49
rating/Share 		Viewers
(millions)
1 "Phoenix Auditions"[36] January 13, 2009 2 15.8 / 23 11.7 / 28 30.424
2 "Kansas City Auditions"[36] January 14, 2009 3 16.4 / 25 11.8 / 30 30.322
3 "San Francisco Auditions"[37] January 20, 2009 2 12.1 / 18 9.0 / 22 22.773
4 "Louisville Auditions"[37] January 21, 2009 1 14.3 / 22 9.8 / 24 25.897
5 "Jacksonville Auditions"[38] January 27, 2009 4 13.7 / 20 9.6 / 24 25.539
6 "Salt Lake City Auditions"[38] January 28, 2009 3 15.0 / 23 10.1 / 25 27.364
7 "New York & San Juan Auditions"[38] January 29, 2009 5 13.6 / 21 9.3 / 25 24.613
8 "Hollywood Round, Part 1"[39] February 3, 2009 1 14.7 / 22 10.0 / 25 26.601
9 "Hollywood Round, Part 2"[39] February 4, 2009 2 14.8 / 23 9.9 / 27 26.384
10 "Hollywood Round, Part 3"[40] February 10, 2009 2 13.9 / 21 9.2 24.941
11 "Hollywood Round, Part 4"[40] February 11, 2009 1 14.0 / 22 9.5 24.825
12 "Group 1 Semi-finalists Perform"[41] February 17, 2009 2 14.3 / 21 9.6 25.374
13 "Group 1 Results Show"[41] February 18, 2009 3 14.1 / 22 9.0 / 24 24.790
14 "Group 2 Semi-finalists Perform"[42] February 25, 2009 1 13.8 / 21 9.1 24.541
15 "Group 2 Results Show"[42] February 26, 2009 2 11.9 / 19 7.1 / 19 20.889
16 "Group 3 Semi-finalists Perform"[43] March 3, 2009 1 13.8 / 21 9.0 24.309
17 "Group 3 Results Show"[43] March 4, 2009 2 13.1 / 21 7.8 / 22 22.776
18 "Wild Card Round"[43] March 5, 2009 3 12.2 / 19 7.6 / 20 21.498
19 "Top 13 Perform"[44] March 10, 2009 1 14.6 / 23 9.5 25.767
20 "Top 13 Results""[44] March 11, 2009 2 14.6 / 22 9.1 / 22 25.547
21 "Top 11 Perform"[45] March 17, 2009 2 12.3 / 19 8.1 / 21 21.886
22 "Top 11 Results"[45] March 18, 2009 1 13.7 / 21 8.7 23.705
23 "Top 10 Perform"[46] March 25, 2009 1 14.7 / 23 9.3 26.025
24 "Top 10 Results"[46] March 26, 2009 2 13.2 / 21 7.7 23.102
25 "Top 9 Perform"[47] March 31, 2009 1 13.7 / 21 8.9 24.410
26 "Top 9 Results"[47] April 1, 2009 2 14.2 / 22 8.4 / 20 24.342
27 "Top 8 Perform"[48] April 7, 2009 2 13.1 / 21 8.1 / 22 22.813
28 "Top 8 Results"[48] April 8, 2009 1 13.4 / 21 8.0 / 20 22.976
29 "Top 7 Perform"[49] April 14, 2009 1 13.8 / 21 8.2 / 23 24.378
30 "Top 7 Results"[49] April 15, 2009 2 14.0 / 22 8.0 / 20 24.114
31 "Top 7 Redux"[50] April 21, 2009 1 13.9 / 22 8.2 23.963
32 "Top 7 Redux Results"[50] April 22, 2009 2 14.0 / 22 8.3 23.947
33 "Top 5 Perform"[51] April 28, 2009 1 13.5 / 21 8.1 23.261
34 "Top 5 Results"[51] April 29, 2009 2 13.2 / 20 7.7 / 19 22.369
35 "Top 4 Perform"[52] May 5, 2009 1 13.4 / 21 8.3 23.414
36 "Top 4 Results"[52] May 6, 2009 2 13.7 / 21 8.3 / 20 23.574
37 "Top 3 Perform"[53] May 12, 2009 2 13.0 / 22 8.0 22.712
38 "Top 3 Results"[53] May 13, 2009 1 14.0 / 21 8.7 / 21 24.670
39 "Top 2 Perform"[54] May 19, 2009 2 13.5 / 21 8.6 23.822
40 "Season 8 Finale"[54] May 20, 2009 1 16.1 / 27 10.0 28.838

See also

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References

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