About this season
Each year, hopeful singers from all over the country audition to be part of one of the biggest shows in American television history. Who will become the new American Idol?
Episodes (40)
1. Phoenix Auditions
Aired 13 January 2009 • 85 min
Season 8 begins as Simon, Paula and Randy are back to hear the auditions for this year's show.
2. Kansas City Auditions
Aired 14 January 2009 • 85 min
The auditions continue from Kansas City.
3. San Francisco Auditions
Aired 20 January 2009 • 85 min
Domarna förflyttar sig till San Francisco förr att höra nästa grupp provsjunga.
4. Louisville Auditions
Aired 21 January 2009 • 85 min
More than 10,000 hardy performers braved extremely hot and muggy weather and turned out for auditions for Season 8 of American Idol in Louisville.
5. Jacksonville Auditions
Aired 27 January 2009 • 85 min
12,000 hardy auditioners turned out in torrential rain in Jacksonville, Florida to sing for the chance to be on season 8 of American Idol.
6. Salt Lake City Auditions
Aired 28 January 2009 • 85 min
Thousands of hopeful auditioners streamed into Salt Lake City for their chance to show us that they have the talent to be the next American Idol.
7. New York City & San Juan, PR Auditions
Aired 29 January 2009 • 85 min
The final auditions take place as the judges head to New York City and then San Juan, PR. in search for the next American Idol.
8. Hollywood Round 1
Aired 3 February 2009 • 85 min
With the auditions out of the way, now is the time to separate the good from the bad and to find the real talent that holds in the rooms. With the individuals hoping to make a name for themselves, who is going to outshine the rest and make it through to the next round?
9. Hollywood Round 2
Aired 4 February 2009 • 85 min
It is Group Week and no one is safe for this round of tough auditions. With many already to go, a twist forces them to separate and form new groups and make new friends. Which group is going to make it through to the next round and which are going home? The judges decide.
10. Hollywood Round 3
Aired 10 February 2009 • 85 min
Now it is the individuals to show what they have and to shine out the rest of the competition and to show the judges that they did not make the wrong choice from choosing from the Group Week. This week they are solo with the help of the band or their own instrument.
11. Hollywood Round 4
Aired 11 February 2009 • 85 min
The contestants from all over the country have performed tirelessly in front of the judges and faced stiff competition while in Hollywood. Now it's time they reveal the Top 36 who will move on and have a chance at becoming this year's American Idol.
12. Top 36 Finalists Group 1 Perform
Aired 17 February 2009 • 85 min
Top 36 Finalists Group 1 Perform
13. Top 36 Finalists Group 1 Results
Aired 18 February 2009 • 85 min
Top 36 Finalists Group 1 Results
14. Top 36 Finalists Group 2 Perform
Aired 25 February 2009 • 85 min
Top 36 Finalists Group 2 Perform
15. Top 36 Finalists Group 2 Results
Aired 26 February 2009 • 85 min
Top 36 Finalists Group 2 Results
16. Top 36 Finalists Group 3 Perform
Aired 3 March 2009 • 85 min
Top 36 Finalists Group 3 Perform
17. Top 36 Finalists Group 3 Results
Aired 4 March 2009 • 85 min
Top 36 Finalists Group 3 Results
18. Wild Card / 3 Finalists Chosen
Aired 5 March 2009 • 85 min
Wild Card Results
19. Top 13 Finalists Perform
Aired 10 March 2009 • 85 min
Season eight sees it's first performances from the 13 chosen contestants.
20. 2 of 13 Voted Off
Aired 11 March 2009 • 85 min
Two of the 13 finalists are voted off the show.
21. Top 11 Finalists Perform
Aired 17 March 2009 • 85 min
Top 11 Finalists Perform Live
22. 1 of 11 Voted Off
Aired 18 March 2009 • 85 min
The top 10 is set. Performances by Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood and Randy Travis.
23. Top 10 Finalists Perform
Aired 25 March 2009 • 85 min
The top 10 compete in Motown week with Smokey Robinson.
24. 1 of 10 Voted Off
Aired 26 March 2009 • 85 min
Ruebin Studdard, Smokey Robinson, Joss Stone and Stevie Wonder perform.
25. Top 9 Finalists Perform
Aired 31 March 2009 • 85 min
Top 9 Finalists Perform
26. 1 of 9 Voted Off
Aired 1 April 2009 • 85 min
This episode will end with 1 contestants being eliminated.
27. Top 8 Finalists Perform
Aired 7 April 2009 • 85 min
This week's performance showcases feature songs from the year each performer was born for the eight remaining singers.
28. 1 of 8 Voted Off
Aired 8 April 2009 • 85 min
This episode will end with 1 contestants being eliminated.
29. Top 7 Finalists Perform
Aired 14 April 2009 • 85 min
The remaining contestants perform songs
30. 1 of 7 Voted Off
Aired 15 April 2009 • 85 min
This episode will end with 1 contestants being eliminated.
31. Top 7 Finalists Perform Again
Aired 21 April 2009 • 85 min
Top 7 Finalists Perform Again
32. 2 of 7 Voted Off
Aired 22 April 2009 • 85 min
This episode will end with 2 contestants being eliminated. Performances from disco week include Harry Casey, Thelma Houston and Freda Payne singing a medley of the genres gems. Also, season 7 runner up David Archuleta stops by to sing a song.
33. Top 5 Finalists Perform
Aired 28 April 2009 • 85 min
This week's performances will come from the songbook of the Rat Pack, the 1960's cool crooners who also went by the names of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr.
34. Top 5 Results
Aired 29 April 2009 • 85 min
A contestant is eliminated
35. Top 4 Finalists Perform
Aired 5 May 2009 • 85 min
Top 4 Finalists perform for Rock Week.
36. 1 of 4 Voted Off
Aired 6 May 2009 • 85 min
1 of 4 voted off. Slash plays lead guitar duiring Idol group number. Daughtry performs and accepts Platinum Record. No Doubt also performs.
37. Top 3 Finalists Perform
Aired 12 May 2009 • 85 min
3 Finalists Compete
38. 1 of 3 Voted Off
Aired 13 May 2009 • 85 min
One of Three Voted Off
39. Top 2 Finalists Perform
Aired 19 May 2009 • 85 min
The Top 2 Finalist perform. Both Adam Lambert and Kris Allen sing three songs: one song they sang before on the competition, one song chosen by 'Idol' creator Simon Fuller and the song that will be their first Single, co-written by judge Kara DioGuardi
40. Winner Revealed
Aired 20 May 2009 • 85 min
The top-13 finalists reunite on stage; the winner is announced.