American Idol Season 10, Episode 26: 8 Finalists Compete

Auditions No. 1: New York/New Jersey

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

85 min

Auditions No. 2: New Orleans

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

85 min

Auditions No. 3: Milwaukee

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

85 min

Auditions No. 4: Nashville

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

85 min

Auditions No. 5: Austin

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

85 min

Auditions No. 6: Los Angeles

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

85 min

Auditions No. 7: San Francisco, CA

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

85 min

Hollywood Round: Part 1

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?

85 min

Hollywood Round, Part 2

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.

85 min

Hollywood Round, Part 3

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.

85 min

Hollywood Round, Part 4

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

85 min

Top 24 Chosen

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

85 min

Top 12 Boys Perform

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

85 min

Top 12 Girls Perform

The Top 12 Girls perform and Naima Adedapo, Lauren Alaina, Kendra Chantelle, Ashthon Jones, Thia Megia, Haley Reinhart, Karen Rodriguez, Pia Toscano, Lauren Turner, TaTynisa Wilson, Rachel Zevita, and Julie Zorrilla each perform at their best to show that they have what it takes to make it to the next stage in the competition. Is there the next American Idol in this bunch?

85 min

Finalists Chosen

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

85 min

Finalists Compete

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

85 min

One Voted Off

The Votes are in for the first eliminations of the Top 13. With Adam Lambert and Diddy Dirty Money performing tonight, the hopefuls all get a taste of fame when they go to the premiere of "Red Riding Hood" and see their home.

85 min

12 Finalists Compete

The American Idol top 12 finalists perform once again hoping to impress the judges and the nation. Tune in to see who amazes the judges and who falls flat.

85 min

One Voted Off

One singer is eliminated in a results edition. The Black Eyed Peas and Lee DeWyze perform.

85 min

11 Finalists Compete

The finalists perform Motown songs.

85 min

One of 11 Voted Off

One of the finalists is eliminated in a results edition. Stevie Wonder, Season 3 finalist Jennifer Hudson and country duo Sugarland perform. Appearing: Hulk Hogan.

85 min

11 Finalists Compete Again

The finalists perform the songs of Elton John.

85 min

Two of 11 Voted Off

Two contestants are eliminated; performances by will.i.am, Jamie Foxx and Fantasia.

85 min

9 Finalists Compete

The contestants perform songs from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, accompanied by guitarist Jeff Beck.

85 min

One of Nine Voted Off

43 min

One of Eight Voted Off

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

85 min

7 Finalists Compete

The remaining contestants perform songs from the 21st century.

85 min

One of Seven Voted Off

A contestant is eliminated; David Cook performs; Katy Perry performs.

85 min

6 Finalists Compete

The six remaining contestants perform the songs of Carole King.

85 min

One of Six Voted Off

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

85 min

5 Finalists Compete

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

85 min

One of Five Voted Off

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

85 min

4 Finalists Compete

The remaining contestants perform the songs of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller; Lady Gaga mentors the finalists.

85 min

One of Four Voted Off

A finalist is sent home; premiere of the video for Steven Tyler's ``(It) Feels so Good''; Jordin Sparks performs.

85 min

3 Finalists Compete

3 Finalists Compete

85 min

One of Three Voted Off

One of Three Voted Off

85 min

2 Finalists Compete

2 Finalists Compete

85 min

Winner Announced

The top-13 finalists reunite on stage; the winner is announced.

85 min