American Idol (season 9)

American Idol
Season 9
Broadcast from	January 12, 2010–May 26, 2010
Judges	Simon Cowell Ellen DeGeneres Kara DioGuardi Randy Jackson
Host(s)	Ryan Seacrest
Broadcaster	Fox Broadcasting Company
Finals venue	Nokia Theatre Los Angeles
Winner: Lee DeWyze

Origin	Mount Prospect, Illinois
Song	"Beautiful Day"
Genre(s)	Rock, alternative rock, indie, folk
Runner-up
Crystal Bowersox
Chronology
◄ 2010 ►

The ninth season of American Idol premiered on January 12, 2010 and concluded on May 26, 2010 on Fox.^[1] Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi all returned as judges, and Ellen DeGeneres permanently replaced Paula Abdul as the fourth judge.^[2] Idol Gives Back also returned for the season and was held on April 21, 2010, during the top seven results show.^[3] The top 24 semi-finals format used in the fourth through seventh seasons also returned this season.^[4] Judges Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi, and Ellen DeGeneres all left the show after this season ended, although only Cowell's departure was announced in advance.^[5]^[6]^[7] This was the second season where neither of the final 2 contestants had been in the bottom 2 or 3 prior to the finale, with the first being the seventh season. This was also the third consecutive season a male contestant had won, the longest streak for either gender. It was the first season since season 6 where a female made it to the finale and was also the first time since season 5 that both the finalists released a different song as a debut single. Additionally, this is the first time since the show's inception that there have been more male than female winners as a whole.

1 Judges
2 Regional auditions
- 2.1 "Pants on the Ground"
3 Hollywood week
4 Semi-finals
5 Finalists
6 Finals
7 Elimination chart
8 Results night performances
- 8.1 Group songs
- 8.2 Results show performances
9 Controversies
10 Contestants who appeared on other shows
11 US Nielsen ratings
12 See also
13 Notes
14 References
15 External links

Judges

After the season began, Paula Abdul did not return as the fourth judge on the panel, having announced in the beginning of August 2009 that she was leaving the show due to unresolved contract negotiations.^[8] Victoria Beckham, Mary J. Blige, Shania Twain, Katy Perry, Avril Lavigne, Joe Jonas, Neil Patrick Harris and Kristin Chenoweth were brought in to star as guest judges during the auditions phase.^[9]^[10]^[11]^[12] There was no guest judge on day two of the Orlando auditions for season nine because day one guest judge Kristin Chenoweth was called back to New York City. Therefore Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson appeared with only three judges on the audition panel similar to the main panel between season 1 - 7.

After making the decision to utilize guest judges in Abdul's absence, Fox chairman Peter Rice stated that they would find a permanent fourth judge before the season premiere in January 2010,^[13] leading the confirmation on September 9, 2009 by Ellen DeGeneres that she would be joining the show as the new permanent fourth judge for the rounds held at CBS Television City for Hollywood Week and thereafter, onto the live shows.^[14]

In addition, Simon Cowell announced shortly before the ninth season began that it would be his last season on American Idol. Cowell left the show to begin preparations for an American version of his talent show The X-Factor.^[15] Also, Ellen DeGeneres announced on July 29, 2010 that she would not return to the judging panel because it was not the right fit for her. Kara DioGuardi would also not return as a judge for season 10 as announced on September 3, 2010.

After her departure, DioGuardi helped and nominated Steven Tyler for a role as a judge on season ten to show's producers.

Regional auditions

Auditions had begun on June 14 of the previous year, less than a month after previous season's finale. Auditions were held in the following cities:^[16]

During this stage guest judges filled in the fourth judging seat.^[17]^[18]

Episode Air Date	Audition City	First Audition Date	Audition Venue	Callback Date	Callback Venue	Guest Judge	Golden Tickets
January 12, 2010	Boston, Massachusetts	June 14, 2009	Gillette Stadium^[19]	August 13 & 14, 2009	60 State Street^[20]	Victoria Beckham	32
January 13, 2010	Atlanta, Georgia	June 18, 2009	Georgia Dome	August 16 & 17, 2009	W Hotel Atlanta Midtown^[21]	Mary J. Blige	25
January 19, 2010	Chicago, Illinois	June 22, 2009	United Center	August 31 & September 1, 2009	Hyatt Regency Chicago^[22]	Shania Twain	13
January 20, 2010	Orlando, Florida	July 9, 2009	Amway Arena	August 28 & 29, 2009	Rosen Shingle Creek Resort^[23]	Kristin Chenoweth	31
January 26, 2010	Los Angeles, California^[24]	June 30, 2009	Rose Bowl Stadium	September 4, 2009	Marina del Rey Marriott^[25]	Avril Lavigne	23
January 26, 2010	Los Angeles, California^[24]	June 30, 2009	Rose Bowl Stadium	September 3, 2009	Marina del Rey Marriott^[25]	Katy Perry	23
January 27, 2010	Dallas, Texas^[26]	June 26, 2009	Cowboys Stadium	August 25, 2009^[27]	W Hotel Dallas Victory^[28]	Neil Patrick Harris	31
January 27, 2010	Dallas, Texas^[26]	June 26, 2009	Cowboys Stadium	August 24, 2009^[28]	W Hotel Dallas Victory^[28]	Joe Jonas	31
February 2, 2010	Denver, Colorado	July 14, 2009	Invesco Field	August 7 & 8, 2009	Grand Hyatt^[29]	Victoria Beckham	26
Total Tickets to Hollywood							181

"Pants on the Ground"

During the Atlanta auditions, 62-year-old activist Larry Platt appeared and performed his original song "Pants on the Ground." The song's lyrics criticize people wearing the hip-hop style of clothing including pants that sag. Well over the age limit of 28, Platt was ineligible to continue. His performance has since become a viral hit, and several celebrities performed the song in the days that followed the original airing of his audition in Atlanta.

Hollywood week

Held at the Kodak Theatre for the second straight year, the first day of Hollywood Week featured the 181 contestants from the auditions round (although only 172 contestants were listed on the American Idol website^[30]) singing solo with the option of playing an instrument.^[31] Ninety-six contestants advanced. The next round required the contestants to split up into groups and perform. Seventy-one advanced to the final round of Hollywood requiring a solo performance. Forty-six made it to the final round where the judges take contestants one by one and tell them if they made the final twenty-four.

Ellen DeGeneres made her first appearance as a judge (replacing Paula Abdul) at this time.

Semi-finals

Semi-finalists

The first seven were revealed on February 16, 2010 (during the second hour on the episode), and the rest were revealed on the following night's episode.^[32]

Females

Contestant	Date of Birth	Age	Hometown	Audition Location	Voted Off
Lilly Scott	May 16, 1989	20	Littleton, Colorado	Denver, Colorado	March 11
Katelyn Epperly	March 21, 1990	20	West Des Moines, Iowa	Chicago, Illinois	March 11
Haeley Vaughn	June 5, 1993	16	Fort Collins, Colorado	Denver, Colorado	March 4
Michelle Delamor	December 31, 1987	22	Miami, Florida	Orlando, Florida	March 4
Ashley Rodriguez	November 4, 1987	22	Boston, Massachusetts	Boston, Massachusetts	February 25
Janell Wheeler	May 8, 1985	24	Orlando, Florida	Orlando, Florida	February 25

Males

Contestant	Date of Birth	Age	Hometown	Audition Location	Voted Off
Alex Lambert	December 10, 1990	19	North Richland Hills, Texas	Dallas, Texas	March 11
Todrick Hall	April 4, 1985	25	Arlington, Texas	Dallas, Texas	March 11
Jermaine Sellers	February 9, 1983	27	Joliet, Illinois	Atlanta, Georgia	March 4
John Park	September 13, 1988	21	Northbrook, Illinois	Chicago, Illinois	March 4
Tyler Grady	October 26, 1989	20	Nazareth, Pennsylvania	Boston, Massachusetts	February 25
Joe Muñoz	August 23, 1989	20	Huntington Park, California	Los Angeles, California	February 25

The semi-final format used through seasons 4-7 has been revived for this season. Starting with 12 women and 12 men, the women and men perform on weekly separate shows and on the result shows, the bottom 2 women and the bottom 2 men are eliminated from the competition. The semi-finals took place over three weeks until there are six women and six men forming the top 12.

From this point on in the show, this season's exit song, "Leave Right Now" by Will Young, was played over eliminations.^[33]

Top 24 – Billboard Hot 100 Hits

Order	Females			Males
Order	Contestant	Song (original artist)	Result	Contestant	Song (original artist)	Result
1	Paige Miles	"All Right Now" (Free)	Safe	Todrick Hall	"Since U Been Gone" (Kelly Clarkson)	Safe
2	Ashley Rodriguez	"Happy" (Leona Lewis)	Eliminated	Aaron Kelly	"Here Comes Goodbye" (Rascal Flatts)	Safe
3	Janell Wheeler	"What About Love" (Heart)	Eliminated	Jermaine Sellers	"Get Here" (Brenda Russell)	Safe
4	Lilly Scott	"Fixing a Hole" (The Beatles)	Safe	Tim Urban	"Apologize" (OneRepublic)	Safe
5	Katelyn Epperly	"Oh! Darling" (The Beatles)	Safe	Joe Muñoz	"You and I Both" (Jason Mraz)	Eliminated
6	Haeley Vaughn	"I Want to Hold Your Hand" (The Beatles)	Safe	Tyler Grady	"American Woman" (The Guess Who)	Eliminated
7	Lacey Brown	"Landslide" (Fleetwood Mac)	Safe	Lee DeWyze	"Chasing Cars" (Snow Patrol)	Safe
8	Michelle Delamor	"Fallin'" (Alicia Keys)	Safe	John Park	"God Bless the Child" (Billie Holiday)	Safe
9	Didi Benami	"The Way I Am" (Ingrid Michaelson)	Safe	Michael Lynche	"This Love" (Maroon 5)	Safe
10	Siobhan Magnus	"Wicked Game" (Chris Isaak)	Safe	Alex Lambert	"Wonderful World" (James Morrison)	Safe
11	Crystal Bowersox	"Hand in My Pocket" (Alanis Morissette)	Safe	Casey James	"Heaven" (Bryan Adams)	Safe
12	Katie Stevens	"Feeling Good" (Cy Grant)	Safe	Andrew Garcia	"Sugar, We're Goin Down" (Fall Out Boy)	Safe

Top 20 – Billboard Hot 100 Hits

Note: The females were scheduled to go first, but medical issues with Crystal Bowersox, who was hospitalized on March 2 with complications from diabetes,^[34] required a switch.^[35]

Order	Males			Females
Order	Contestant	Song (original artist)	Result	Contestant	Song (original artist)	Result
1	Michael Lynche	"It's a Man's Man's Man's World" (James Brown)	Safe	Crystal Bowersox	"Long As I Can See the Light" (Creedence Clearwater Revival)	Safe
2	John Park	"Gravity" (John Mayer)	Eliminated	Haeley Vaughn	"The Climb" (Miley Cyrus)	Eliminated
3	Casey James	"I Don't Want to Be" (Gavin DeGraw)	Safe	Lacey Brown	"Kiss Me" (Sixpence None the Richer)	Safe
4	Alex Lambert	"Everybody Knows" (John Legend)	Safe	Katie Stevens	"Put Your Records On" (Corinne Bailey Rae)	Safe
5	Todrick Hall	"What's Love Got to Do with It" (Tina Turner)	Safe	Didi Benami	"Lean on Me" (Bill Withers)	Safe
6	Jermaine Sellers	"What's Going On" (Marvin Gaye)	Eliminated	Michelle Delamor	"With Arms Wide Open" (Creed)	Eliminated
7	Andrew Garcia	"You Give Me Something" (James Morrison)	Safe	Lilly Scott	"A Change Is Gonna Come" (Sam Cooke)	Safe
8	Aaron Kelly	"My Girl" (The Temptations)	Safe	Katelyn Epperly	"The Scientist" (Coldplay)	Safe
9	Tim Urban	"Come On Get Higher" (Matt Nathanson)	Safe	Paige Miles	"Walk Away" (Kelly Clarkson)	Safe
10	Lee DeWyze	"Lips of an Angel" (Hinder)	Safe	Siobhan Magnus	"Think" (Aretha Franklin)	Safe

Top 16 – Billboard Hot 100 Hits

Order	Females			Males
Order	Contestant	Song (original artist)	Result	Contestant	Song (original artist)	Result
1	Katie Stevens	"Breakaway" (Kelly Clarkson)	Safe	Lee DeWyze	"Fireflies" (Owl City)	Safe
2	Siobhan Magnus	"The House of the Rising Sun" (traditional)	Safe	Alex Lambert	"Trouble" (Ray LaMontagne)	Eliminated
3	Lacey Brown	"The Story" (Brandi Carlile)	Safe	Tim Urban	"Hallelujah" (Leonard Cohen)	Safe
4	Katelyn Epperly	"I Feel the Earth Move" (Carole King)	Eliminated	Andrew Garcia	"Genie in a Bottle" (Christina Aguilera)	Safe
5	Didi Benami	"Rhiannon" (Fleetwood Mac)	Safe	Casey James	"You'll Think of Me" (Keith Urban)	Safe
6	Paige Miles	"Smile" (Charlie Chaplin)	Safe	Aaron Kelly	"I'm Already There" (Lonestar)	Safe
7	Crystal Bowersox	"Give Me One Reason" (Tracy Chapman)	Safe	Todrick Hall	"Somebody to Love" (Queen)	Eliminated
8	Lilly Scott	"I Fall to Pieces" (Patsy Cline)	Eliminated	Michael Lynche	"This Woman's Work" (Kate Bush)	Safe

Finalists

Lee DeWyze (born April 2, 1986 in Mount Prospect, Illinois, 23 years at the start of the show) is from Mount Prospect, Illinois and auditioned in Chicago, Illinois with Bill Withers' Ain't No Sunshine. He performed The Fray's "You Found Me" during Hollywood week. Prior to his appearance on American Idol, he had worked in various jobs, including as a paint salesman and a trading floor clerk at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. He also appeared as an actor in a short low-budget film 'Deadscapes: Broken Road.' When he was 17, he was signed to Wuli Records and had released two CDs - So I'm Told and Slumberland. He was declared the winner of Season 9 of American Idol on May 26, 2010. He was signed to RCA Records after the competition and released an album Live It Up on November 16, 2010.

Crystal Bowersox (born August 4, 1985 in Elliston, Ohio, 24 years at the time of the show) is from Elliston, Ohio and auditioned in Chicago, Illinois with Erma Franklin's Piece of My Heart. She auditioned for Idol to try to make a better life for her son. Her Hollywood performance of Aretha Franklin's "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" impressed the judges and fellow contestants alike. She had performed as a singer from the age of 10 and moved to Chicago aged 17, frequently working as a busker at train stations there. She was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 6, and while on the show, she suffered diabetic complication and was hospitalized which resulted in the Top 20 performance nights for the male and female contestants being switched. She became the Season 9 runner-up on May 26, 2010 and was signed to Jive Records. Her debut album Farmer's Daughter was released on December 14, 2010. She was married to Brian Walker on October 10, 2010.

Casey James (born May 31, 1982 in Princeton, Texas, 27 years at the time of the show) is from Fort Worth, Texas and auditioned in Denver, Colorado with John Mayer's "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room." He performed professionally after finishing school, but suffered a serious motorcycle accident when he was 21. He took his shirt off during audition after prompting from Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson, and Kara's interest in him became a recurring joke in the season. He is an accomplished guitarist and demonstrated his skill with his Hollywood round performance of Ray Charles's "I Don't Need No Doctor" and Top 20 performance of Gavin DeGraw's "I Don't Want to Be." He had never previously watched the show before he auditioned. He was eliminated as a third place finisher on May 19, 2010. He was signed to Sony Music Nashville after the show and his album is scheduled to be released in 2011.

Michael Lynche (born May 31, 1983, 26 years at the time of the show) is from St. Petersburg, Florida auditioned in Orlando, Florida with Todd Duncan' "Unchained Melody". He worked as personal trainer prior to Idol. His is married and his daughter was born during Hollywood round, and the unfolding drama of his wife's labor was heavily featured during the Hollywood round where he performed John Mayer's "Waiting on the World to Change". He was saved by the judges when he became the lowest vote-getter on April 7, 2010, but finally he was eliminated at fourth place on May 12, 2010.

Aaron Kelly (born April 2, 1993 in Davenport, Florida, 16 years old at the start of the show) is from Sonestown, Pennsylvania and auditioned in Orlando, Florida as a winner from American Idol Experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios. His audition song was Miley Cyrus's "The Climb", and performed Sarah McLachlan's "Angel" during the Hollywood rounds but forgot his words. He was adopted by his aunt and uncle at 5. He had performed from a young age, and was a finalist on PAX-TV's America's Most Talented Kid at the age of 11. He was in 2010 the youngest American Idol contestant to reach Top 12. He was eliminated at fifth place on May 5, 2010.

Siobhan Magnus (born March 15, 1990 in Barnstable, Massachusetts, 19 years at the start of the show) is from Cape Cod, Massachusetts^[36] and auditioned in Boston, Massachusetts with Queen's "Love of My Life". Before Idol she performed as the lead vocalist of her band, Lunar Valve, and she worked as a glassblower in Hyannis, Massachusetts. She performed Stevie Wonder's "Living for the City" in the Hollywood rounds. She was noted in the show for her ability to sustain a long high-pitched note. She was eliminated as sixth-placed finisher on April 28, 2010.

Tim Urban (born May 1, 1989 in Tacoma, Washington, 20 years at the time of the show) is from Duncanville, Texas and auditioned in Dallas, Texas with Matt Nathanson's Bulletproof Week. He performed David Cook's Come Back To Me during the Hollywood round. He did not qualify initially for the semi-finals but was chosen as a replacement for Chris Golightly who was disqualified for having a prior record deal. He finished at seventh place after being voted off on April 21, 2010.

Katie Stevens (born December 8, 1992 in Southbury, Connecticut, 17 years at the time of the show) is from Middlebury, Connecticut auditioned in Boston, Massachusetts with Glenn Miller's At Last. She looked after her Portuguese grandmother who suffered from Alzheimer's disease, and she is fluent in Portuguese. She performed Jean DuShon's "For Once in My Life" in the Hollywood rounds where Kara DioGuardi considered her a possible season's winner. She finished eighth and exited the competition on April 14, 2010 on a double elimination due to judges's save being used the previous week.

Andrew Garcia (born October 8, 1985 in Moreno Valley, California, 24 years at the time of the show) auditioned in Los Angeles, California with Maroon 5's "Sunday Morning." He had a good sized following on YouTube prior to auditioning on Idol. He impressed the judges with his performance of Paula Abdul's "Straight Up" during the Hollywood rounds, but failed to interest the judges in the later rounds. He was eliminated as joint eighth-place finishers together with Katie Stevens on April 14, 2010.

Didi Benami (born October 25, 1986 in New York, 23 years at the time of the show) is from Knoxville, Tennessee and currently resides in Hollywood, California. She auditioned in Los Angeles, California with The Beatles' "Hey Jude." She was inspired to audition by her best friend who died in a traffic accident. She was notable during the Hollywood rounds for her performance of Kara DioGuardi-penned Katharine McPhee's song "Terrified." She finished tenth after being eliminated on March 31, 2010.

Paige Miles (born September 26, 1985, 24 years at the time of the show) is from Naples, Florida and auditioned in Dallas, Texas. She was eliminated in eleventh place on March 24, 2010. She performed Stevie Wonder's "Living for the City" in the Hollywood rounds which she considered her favorite moment prior the semi-final. Simon Cowell considered her to have the best voice amongst the girls.

Lacey Brown (born August 13, 1985, 24 years at the time of the show) is from Amarillo, Texas and auditioned in Orlando, Florida with Judy Garland's Over the Rainbow. She had previously made it to the Hollywood round in season eight of American Idol but lost out to Megan Joy at Top 50. Ryan Seacrest noted that her chilling performance of What a Wonderful World by Louie Armstrong had a major part in her advancing into the Top 24. She was the first finalist to be voted off on March 17, 2010.

Finals

As in season 8, the judges were given one save that they could use before the top 5 week. They used the save for Michael Lynche during top 9 week.

Top 12 – The Rolling Stones

Order	Contestant	Song (original artist when applicable)	Result
1	Michael Lynche	"Miss You"	Safe
2	Didi Benami	"Play with Fire"	Safe
3	Casey James	"It's All Over Now" (The Valentinos)	Safe
4	Lacey Brown	"Ruby Tuesday"	Eliminated
5	Andrew Garcia	"Gimme Shelter"	Safe
6	Katie Stevens	"Wild Horses"	Safe
7	Tim Urban	"Under My Thumb"	Bottom 3
8	Siobhan Magnus	"Paint It, Black"	Safe
9	Lee DeWyze	"Beast of Burden"	Safe
10	Paige Miles	"Honky Tonk Women"	Bottom 3
11	Aaron Kelly	"Angie"	Safe
12	Crystal Bowersox	"You Can't Always Get What You Want"	Safe

Top 11 – Billboard Number 1 Hits

Mentor: Miley Cyrus

Order	Contestant	Song (original artist)	Result
1	Lee DeWyze	"The Letter" (The Box Tops)	Safe
2	Paige Miles	"Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" (Phil Collins)	Eliminated
3	Tim Urban	"Crazy Little Thing Called Love" (Queen)	Bottom 3
4	Aaron Kelly	"I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" (Aerosmith)	Safe
5	Crystal Bowersox	"Me and Bobby McGee" (Roger Miller)	Safe
6	Michael Lynche	"When a Man Loves a Woman" (Percy Sledge)	Safe
7	Andrew Garcia	"I Heard It Through the Grapevine" (Marvin Gaye)	Safe
8	Katie Stevens	"Big Girls Don't Cry" (Fergie)	Bottom 3
9	Casey James	"The Power of Love" (Huey Lewis and the News)	Safe
10	Didi Benami	"You're No Good" (Betty Everett)	Safe
11	Siobhan Magnus	"Superstition" (Stevie Wonder)	Safe

Top 10 – R&B/Soul

Mentor: Usher

Order	Contestant	Song (original artist)	Result
1	Siobhan Magnus	"Through the Fire" (Chaka Khan)	Safe
2	Casey James	"Hold On, I'm A Comin'" (Sam & Dave)	Safe
3	Michael Lynche	"Ready for Love" (India.Arie)	Safe
4	Didi Benami	"What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" (Jimmy Ruffin)	Eliminated
5	Tim Urban	"Sweet Love" (Anita Baker)	Bottom 3
6	Andrew Garcia	"Forever" (Chris Brown)	Safe
7	Katie Stevens	"Chain of Fools" (Aretha Franklin)	Bottom 3
8	Lee DeWyze	"Treat Her Like a Lady" (Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose)	Safe
9	Crystal Bowersox	"Midnight Train to Georgia" (Cissy Houston)	Safe
10	Aaron Kelly	"Ain't No Sunshine" (Bill Withers)	Safe

Top 9 (first week) – Lennon–McCartney Songbook

Mentor: N/A

Order	Contestant	Song (original artist when applicable)	Result
1	Aaron Kelly	"The Long and Winding Road"	Bottom 3
2	Katie Stevens	"Let It Be"	Safe
3	Andrew Garcia	"Can't Buy Me Love"	Bottom 3
4	Michael Lynche	"Eleanor Rigby"	Saved
5	Crystal Bowersox	"Come Together"	Safe
6	Tim Urban	"All My Loving"	Safe
7	Casey James	"Jealous Guy" (John Lennon)	Safe
8	Siobhan Magnus	"Across the Universe"	Safe
9	Lee DeWyze	"Hey Jude"	Safe

Top 9 (second week) – Elvis Presley

Mentor: Adam Lambert

Order	Contestant	Song (original artist when applicable)	Result
1	Crystal Bowersox	"Saved" (LaVern Baker)	Safe
2	Andrew Garcia	"Hound Dog" (Big Mama Thornton)	Eliminated
3	Tim Urban	"Can't Help Falling in Love"	Safe
4	Lee DeWyze	"A Little Less Conversation"	Safe
5	Aaron Kelly	"Blue Suede Shoes" (Carl Perkins)	Safe
6	Siobhan Magnus	"Suspicious Minds" (Mark James)	Safe
7	Michael Lynche	"In the Ghetto"	Safe
8	Katie Stevens	"Baby What You Want Me to Do" (Jimmy Reed)	Eliminated
9	Casey James	"Lawdy Miss Clawdy" (Lloyd Price)	Safe

Top 7 – Inspirational Songs

Mentor: Alicia Keys

Order	Contestant	Song (original artist)	Result
1	Casey James	"Don't Stop" (Fleetwood Mac)	Bottom 3
2	Lee DeWyze	"The Boxer" (Simon & Garfunkel)	Safe
3	Tim Urban	"Better Days" (Goo Goo Dolls)	Eliminated
4	Aaron Kelly	"I Believe I Can Fly" (R. Kelly)	Bottom 3
5	Siobhan Magnus	"When You Believe" (Mariah Carey & Whitney Houston)	Safe
6	Michael Lynche	"Hero" (Chad Kroeger feat. Josey Scott)	Safe
7	Crystal Bowersox	"People Get Ready" (The Impressions)	Safe

Top 6 – Shania Twain

Mentor: Shania Twain

Order	Contestant	Song	Result
1	Lee DeWyze	"You're Still the One"	Safe
2	Michael Lynche	"It Only Hurts When I'm Breathing"	Bottom 3
3	Casey James	"Don't!"	Bottom 3
4	Crystal Bowersox	"No One Needs to Know"	Safe
5	Aaron Kelly	"You've Got a Way"	Safe
6	Siobhan Magnus	"Any Man of Mine"	Eliminated

Top 5 – Frank Sinatra

Mentor: Harry Connick, Jr.

Order	Contestant	Song (original artist)	Result
1	Aaron Kelly	"Fly Me to the Moon" (Kaye Ballard)	Eliminated
2	Casey James	"Blue Skies" (Belle Baker)	Safe
3	Crystal Bowersox	"Summer Wind" (Wayne Newton)	Safe
4	Michael Lynche	"The Way You Look Tonight" (Fred Astaire)	Bottom 2
5	Lee DeWyze	"That's Life" (Frank Sinatra)	Safe

Top 4 – Songs of the Cinema

Mentor: Jamie Foxx

Each contestant sang one solo and one duet with a fellow contestant.

Order	Contestant	Song (original artist)	Featured Film	Result
1	Lee DeWyze	"Kiss from a Rose" (Seal)	Batman Forever	Safe
2	Michael Lynche	"Will You Be There" (Michael Jackson)	Free Willy	Eliminated
3	Crystal Bowersox & Lee DeWyze	"Falling Slowly" (Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová)	Once	N/A
4	Casey James	"Mrs. Robinson" (Simon & Garfunkel)	The Graduate	Safe
5	Crystal Bowersox	"I'm Alright" (Kenny Loggins)	Caddyshack	Safe
6	Casey James & Michael Lynche	"Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?" (Bryan Adams)	Don Juan DeMarco	N/A

Top 3 – Contestant's choice & Judges' choice

Each contestant sang two songs.

Order	Contestant	Song (original artist) — Judge(s)	Result
1	Casey James	"OK, It's Alright with Me" (Eric Hutchinson)	Eliminated
2	Crystal Bowersox	"Come to My Window" (Melissa Etheridge)	Safe
3	Lee DeWyze	"Simple Man" (Lynyrd Skynyrd)	Safe
4	Casey James	"Daughters" (John Mayer) — Randy Jackson & Kara DioGuardi	Eliminated
5	Crystal Bowersox	"Maybe I'm Amazed" (Paul McCartney) — Ellen DeGeneres	Safe
6	Lee DeWyze	"Hallelujah" (Leonard Cohen) — Simon Cowell	Safe

Finale – Contestant's choice, Simon Fuller's choice & winner's single

Each contestant sang three songs.

Order	Contestant	Song (original artist)	Result
1	Lee DeWyze	"The Boxer" (Simon & Garfunkel)	Winner
2	Crystal Bowersox	"Me and Bobby McGee" (Roger Miller)	Runner-Up
3	Lee DeWyze	"Everybody Hurts" (R.E.M.)	Winner
4	Crystal Bowersox	"Black Velvet" (Alannah Myles)	Runner-Up
5	Lee DeWyze	"Beautiful Day" (U2)	Winner
6	Crystal Bowersox	"Up to the Mountain (MLK Song)" (Solomon Burke)	Runner-Up

Elimination chart

**Legend**
Top 24	Top 12	Winner

Safe

Safe First

Safe Last

Eliminated

Judges' Save

Place	Contestant	Result
Stage:		Semi-Finals			Finals
Week:		2/25	3/4	3/11	3/17	3/24	3/31	4/7^{[n 1]}	4/14^{[n 2]}	4/21	4/28	5/5	5/12 ^{[n 3]}	5/19 ^{[n 4]}	5/26
1	Lee DeWyze														Winner
2	Crystal Bowersox														Runner-up
3	Casey James									Bottom 3	Bottom 3			Elim
4	Michael Lynche							Saved			Bottom 3	Bottom 2	Elim
5	Aaron Kelly							Bottom 3		Bottom 3		Elim
6	Siobhan Magnus										Elim
7	Tim Urban				Bottom 3	Bottom 3	Bottom 3			Elim
8-9	Katie Stevens					Bottom 3	Bottom 3		Elim
8-9	Andrew Garcia							Bottom 3	Elim
10	Didi Benami						Elim
11	Paige Miles				Bottom 3	Elim
12	Lacey Brown				Elim
13-16	Lilly Scott			Elim
	Alex Lambert
	Todrick Hall
	Katelyn Epperly
17-20	Haeley Vaughn		Elim
	Michelle Delamor
	Jermaine Sellers
	John Park
21-24	Tyler Grady	Elim
	Ashley Rodriguez
	Joe Muñoz
	Janell Wheeler

Results night performances

Group songs

Top 24: "American Boy" by Estelle
Top 20: "I Gotta Feeling" by The Black Eyed Peas
Top 16: "Haven't Met You Yet" by Michael Bublé
Top 12: None
Top 11: "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" by Wham!
Top 10: None
Top 9 (Part 1): Lennon–McCartney medley ("Here, There and Everywhere" / "Got to Get You into My Life" / "The Fool on the Hill" / "All You Need Is Love" / "She Loves You" / "The End" by The Beatles)
Top 9 (Part 2): Elvis Presley medley ("Teddy Bear" / "Burning Love" / "Return to Sender" / "Viva Las Vegas" by Elvis Presley)
Top 7: "Keeping the Dream Alive"^[37] (The song was performed in part of Idol Gives Back by the Top 12)
Top 6: None
Top 5:
- Frank Sinatra medley ("The Lady Is a Tramp" / "It Was a Very Good Year" / "I've Got the World on a String" / "Night and Day" by Frank Sinatra)
- Harry Connick, Jr. medley ("We Are in Love" / "Come by Me" / "Hear Me in the Harmony" by Harry Connick, Jr.)
Top 4: None
Top 3: None
Finale:
- Top 12 feat. Alice Cooper: "School's Out" by Alice Cooper
- Siobhan Magnus and Aaron Kelly feat. Barry Gibb and Robin Gibb: "How Deep Is Your Love" by Bee Gees
- Michael Lynche feat. Michael McDonald: "Takin' It to the Streets" by The Doobie Brothers
- Top 6 Girls feat. Christina Aguilera: "Beautiful" / "Fighter"
- Top 6 Boys feat. Daryl Hall and John Oates: "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)", "Maneater", "You Make My Dreams" by Hall & Oates
- Crystal Bowersox feat. Alanis Morissette: "Ironic" / "You Oughta Know" by Alanis Morissette
- Casey James feat. Bret Michaels: "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" by Poison
- Lee DeWyze feat. Chicago: "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?", "If You Leave Me Now" and "25 or 6 to 4" by Chicago
- Top 12 feat. Janet Jackson: "Again," "Nothing," and "Nasty" by Janet Jackson
- Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox feat. Joe Cocker: "With a Little Help from My Friends" by The Beatles

Results show performances

Week	Performer(s)	Title	Hot 100 Reaction	Hot Digital Songs Reaction	Performance Type
Top 24	Allison Iraheta	"Scars"	failed to chart	TBA	live performance
Top 24	Kris Allen	"Let It Be"^{[n 5]}	63 (debut)	TBA	live performance
Top 20	Danny Gokey	"My Best Days Are Ahead of Me"	82 (debut)	63 (debut)	live performance
Top 16	Matt Giraud and Scott MacIntyre	"Tell Her About It"	no release	N/A	live performance
Top 12	David Cook	"Jumpin' Jack Flash"	failed to chart	TBA	live performance
	Orianthi	"According to You"	19(-1)	23(+9)	live performance
	Kesha feat. 3OH!3	"Blah Blah Blah"	15(+1)	10(-1)	pre-recorded performance
Top 11	Miley Cyrus	"When I Look at You"	25(+33)	12(+19)	live performance
Top 11	Joe Jonas and Demi Lovato	"Make a Wave"	fell off chart	TBA	live performance
Top 10	Ruben Studdard	"Don't Make 'Em Like U No More"	failed to chart	TBA	live performance
	Usher and will.i.am	"OMG"	14 (debut)	7 (debut)	pre-recorded performance
	Diddy-Dirty Money	"Hello Good Morning"	34 (debut)	17 (debut)	live performance
Top 9 (Week 1)	Jason Derülo	"In My Head" ("Whatcha Say" intro)	5(+4)	6(+5)	live performance
	David Archuleta	"Imagine"	no release	N/A	live performance
	Rihanna with Nuno Bettencourt	"Rockstar 101"	failed to chart	failed to chart	pre-recorded performance
Top 9 (Week 2)	Brooke White and Justin Gaston (from If I Can Dream)	"If I Can Dream"	failed to chart	failed to chart	live performance
Top 9 (Week 2)	Adam Lambert	"Whataya Want from Me"	10(+13)	8(+21)	live performance
Top 7	Alicia Keys	"Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)" "Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down"	58(+25)	TBA	live performance
	The Black Eyed Peas	"Rock That Body"	unreleased	TBA	live performance
	Carrie Underwood	"Change"	68(debut)	51,000 (+ 2001%)	live performance
	Elton John	"Your Song"	no release	TBA	live performance
	Mary J. Blige (feat. Randy Jackson, Orianthi, Travis Barker, Steve Vai and others)	"Stairway to Heaven"	no release	TBA	live performance
Top 6	Rascal Flatts	"Unstoppable"	60(+6)	TBA	live performance
	Sons of Sylvia	"Love Left to Lose"	101 (debut)	TBA	pre-recorded performance
	Lady Antebellum	"Need You Now"	5(-1)	9(-1)	pre-recorded performance
	Shakira & Rascal Flatts	"Gypsy"	65 (debut)	48 (debut)	live performance
Top 5	Lady Gaga	"Alejandro" ("Bad Romance" intro)	11(+5)	9(+4)	pre-recorded performance
Top 5	Harry Connick, Jr.	"And I Love Her"	no release	TBA	live performance
Top 4	Fantasia	"Bittersweet"	failed to chart	TBA	live performance
	Daughtry	"September"	failed to chart	TBA	live performance
	Bon Jovi	"Superman Tonight"	failed to chart	TBA	live performance
Top 3	Travis Garland	"Believe"	failed to chart	TBA	live performance
Top 3	Justin Bieber	"U Smile" / "Baby"	38(no change)	24(+3)	pre-recorded performance
Finale	Will Young	"Leave Right Now"^{[n 6]}	81 (debut)	50 (debut)	live performance
	Alice Cooper	"School's Out"	ineligible to re-enter	ineligible to re-enter	live performance
	Kris Allen	"The Truth"	failed to chart	failed to chart	live performance
	Dane Cook	"Simon Said"	no release	no release	live performance
	Christina Aguilera	"You Lost Me"	no release	no release	live performance
	Carrie Underwood	"Undo It"	25(+34)	18(+43)	live performance
	Larry Platt feat. William Hung	"Pants on the Ground"	failed to re-enter	failed to re-enter	live performance
	American Idols^{[n 7]}	"Together We Are One"	no release	no release	live performance
	Janet Jackson	"Again"/"Nothing" / "Nasty"	ineligible to re-enter/ no release	ineligible to re-enter/failed to chart	live performance

Controversies

Ethnic voting bias

Since season 7, the voting results are seemingly skewed towards Caucasian contestants, and critics believe that it was Caucasian female viewers who vote only for Caucasian male contestants. During top 20 week, all four eliminated contestants were non-Caucasian. Season 9 has the fewest non-Caucasian finalists of any season. This led to criticism of bias in favor of Caucasians.^[38]

Chris Golightly

Chris Golightly was originally selected as semi-finalist. According to reports, Chris was disqualified on February 17, 2010, after already being told he was in the top 24, over an old contract. The contract had expired by the time the top 24 began to tape, but they disqualified him because he was under contract at the time of the tryouts, in violation of Idol rules. He was later replaced by Tim Urban at the last minute of the last part of Hollywood Week.^[39] Golightly later appears on a Korean television show called Superstar K, a singing competition similar to the American Idol. In there, he tells that he also used to write songs for Korean singers, such as Jewelry, DBSK and ZE:A.^[40]

Ryan Seacrest's Twitter post

Lacey Brown's elimination stirred up controversy after Ryan Seacrest tweeted the results before the elimination aired on the west coast.^[41] This caused anger among the fans of the show and as a result, the elimination show may have had lower ratings than usual.^[42]^[43]

Criticisms of Ryan Seacrest

Seacrest has been criticized by The Wrap and MSNBC Entertainment contributors for "critiquing the judges’ comments" and becoming more aggressive.^[44]^[45] Ratings for the 9th season have dropped significantly compared to the prior two seasons^[46] leading to speculation that its run as the number one show on television may be coming to a close.^[47] Reasons for the decline have ranged from the smaller role and pending departure of Simon Cowell to the more unpredictable behavior of Ryan Seacrest.^[48]

It was also claimed that Crystal Bowersox had considered Ryan Seacrest to have betrayed her.^[49] After it was reported that she had doubts about staying on in the show but Ryan Seacrest had talked her out of it,^[50] her fellow contestant Katelyn Epperly revealed that Crystal texted: "I'm fine...betrayed by Seacrest!" in a text message to her. Crystal denied that she was planning to leave, and there was no evidence that Ryan Seacrest had leaked the information himself.

Contestants who appeared on other shows

Before his stint on American Idol, semi-finalist Jermaine Sellers was a contestant on the first season of the BET gospel singing competition show Sunday Best, where he finished in third place.
On April 10, 2010, semi-finalist Alex Lambert joined then-cast members Giglianne Braga, Justin Gaston, Ben Elliott, Kara Killmer and Amanda Phillips on If I Can Dream, a web-based reality series that follows aspiring artists as they pursue their dreams in Hollywood.
Samuel Larsen, who originally auditioned on Los Angeles and made it on Hollywood Round was a contestant on Oxygen's The Glee Project, which he co-won.
After his stint on American Idol, John Park, another semi-finalist, finished second place in the second season of the Korean version of American Idol, Superstar K.^[51] This makes him to become one of two contestants to appear on this show from the American Idol season 9. The other contestant being Chris Golightly who appeared in the third season.^[40]

US Nielsen ratings

Season 9 of American Idol was the top show for the 2009-10 season of broadcast primetime shows. Its Tuesday and Wednesday episodes occupied the top 2 spots of the season. Viewership for the Tuesday episodes averaged 22.974 million, while the Wednesday episodes averaged 21.951 million.^[52]

Episode list

Show	Episode^[4]	Air date	Rating	Share	rating/Share 18-49	Viewers (in millions)
1	"Boston Auditions"	January 12, 2010	16.4	24	11.8/29	29.936^[53]
2	"Atlanta Auditions"	January 13, 2010	14.9	23	10.1/27	26.393^[53]
3	"Chicago Auditions"	January 19, 2010	14.3	22	10.1/27	26.384^[54]
4	"Orlando Auditions"	January 20, 2010	14.6	23	9.9/27	26.854^[54]
5	"Los Angeles Auditions"	January 26, 2010	13.5	21	9.0/24	24.452^[55]
6	"Dallas Auditions"	January 27, 2010	13.4	22	9.5/24	25.710^[55]
7	"Denver Auditions"	February 2, 2010	13.4	20	9.0/23	24.705^[56]
8	"Best of the Rest"^[57]	February 3, 2010	11.9	19	7.8/21	20.999^[56]
9	"Hollywood Round, Part 1"	February 9, 2010	15.1	22	10.1/26	27.892^[58]
10	"Hollywood Round, Part 2"	February 10, 2010	13.6	21	9.5/23	25.172^[58]
11	"Hollywood Round, Part 3"	February 16, 2010	13.1	20	9.2/22	23.922^[59]
12	"Hollywood Round, Part 4"	February 17, 2010	10.6	16	7.0/17	18.629^[59]
13	"Top 12 Female Semifinalists Perform"	February 23, 2010	13.4	20	9.0/22	24.213^[60]
14	"Top 12 Male Semifinalists Perform"	February 24, 2010	12.9	20	8.7/22	22.959^[60]
15	"First Results Show"	February 25, 2010	10.3	16	6.5/17	18.033^[60]
16	"Top 10 Male Semifinalists Perform"	March 2, 2010	13.1	20	8.6/22	23.526^[61]
17	"Top 10 Female Semifinalists Perform"	March 3, 2010	13.4	21	8.5	23.560^[61]
18	"Second Results Show"	March 4, 2010	11.2	18	6.5	19.424^[61]
19	"Top 8 Female Semifinalists Perform"	March 9, 2010	12.8	18	8.2	22.752^[62]
20	"Top 8 Male Semifinalists Perform"	March 10, 2010	11.9	18	7.5/20	20.701^[62]
21	"Third Results Show/Top 12 Revealed"	March 11, 2010	11.2	18	6.3	19.339^[62]
22	"Top 12 Finalists Perform"	March 16, 2010	13.0	21	8.1/23	22.913^[63]
23	"Top 12 Results Show"	March 17, 2010	11.8	20	6.8/20	20.510^[64]
24	"Top 11 Finalists Perform"	March 23, 2010	13.5	21	8.4/23	24.211^[65]
25	"Top 11 Results Show"	March 24, 2010	12.2	20	7.2/20	21.437^[66]
26	"Top 10 Finalists Perform"	March 30, 2010	12.4	20	7.7/21	21.845^[67]
27	"Top 10 Results Show"	March 31, 2010	11.7	19	6.7/19	20.492^[68]
28	"Top 9 Finalists Perform"	April 6, 2010	11.9	19	7.3/20	20.836^[69]
29	"Top 9 Results Show"	April 7, 2010	11.6	18	6.7/18	20.168^[70]
30	"Top 9 Finalists Perform Again"	April 13, 2010	11.8	19	7.3/21	20.639^[71]
31	"Double Elimination Top 9 Results Show"	April 14, 2010	12.1	20	6.8/19	21.018^[72]
32	"Top 7 Finalists Perform"	April 20, 2010	11.0	18	6.9/20	19.669^[73]
33	"Top 7 Results Show/Idol Gives Back"	April 21, 2010	10.6	18	5.9/17	18.824^[74]
34	"Top 6 Finalists Perform"	April 27, 2010	11.0	17	6.9/20	19.417^[75]
35	"Top 6 Results Show"	April 28, 2010	11.5	18	6.7/18	20.057^[76]
36	"Top 5 Finalists Perform"	May 4, 2010	10.1	16	6.2/18	17.498^[77]
37	"Top 5 Results Show"	May 5, 2010	11.3	18	6.5/18	19.580^[78]
38	"Top 4 Finalists Perform"	May 11, 2010	10.7	17	6.8/18	19.167^[79]
39	"Top 4 Results Show"	May 12, 2010	11.2	18	6.6/17	19.569^[80]
40	"Top 3 Finalists Perform"	May 18, 2010	10.5	17	6.7/18	18.684^[81]
41	"Top 3 Results Show"	May 19, 2010	11.1	18	6.1/16	19.003^[81]
42	"Top 2 Finalists Perform"	May 25, 2010	11.2	18	6.7/19	20.072^[82]
43	"Winner Revealed"	May 26, 2010	13.5	23	8.2/24	24.215^[82]

Notes

^ Due to the judges using their one save, in order to save Michael Lynche, the Top 9 remained intact for another week.
^ The bottom two were eliminated on April 14. The other member of the bottom three was never identified, though Seacrest made a point of indicating that previously-saved Michael Lynche was not the other member.
^ The other member of the Bottom 2 was never announced, despite Crystal Bowersox was the last contestant to be named safe.
^ Lee DeWyze was named safe first, then Crystal Bowersox.
^ Kris Allen's rendition of "Let It Be" was made available on iTunes for download, with all proceeds going to Haiti charities.
^ Will Young performed at the end of the performance show on May 25, 2010.
^ The group that sang Delta Goodrem's "Together We Are One" consisted of many previous American Idol contestants, including winners Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks, Taylor Hicks, and Kris Allen.

References

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^ ^a ^b Michael Slezak (December 22, 2009). "'American Idol' season 9: 24 semifinalists, no 'Wild Card' round, and a February 23 voting kickoff". EW.com. http://news-briefs.ew.com/2009/12/22/american-idol-season-9-dates-details/. Retrieved January 2, 2010.
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^ "Neil Patrick Harris signs on to guest judge 'American Idol'". LA Times. August 25, 2009. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2009/08/neil-patrick-harris-signs-on-to-judge-american-idol.html. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
^ "American Idol's Next Guest Judge Revealed". People. August 27, 2009. http://tvwatch.people.com/2009/08/27/american-idols-next-guest-judge-revealed/. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
^ Ausiello, Michael (August 6, 2009). "Press Tour Diary: Katy Perry, Posh Spice to (temporarily) replace Abdul on 'Idol'". EW.com. http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/08/06/press-tour-diary-executive-session/. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
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^ "Season 9 Auditions - American Idol News". Americanidol.com. June 3, 2009. http://www.americanidol.com/news/view/pid/1737. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
^ <http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1620572/avril-lavigne-guestjudge-idol-la.jhtml Avril Lavigne To Guest-Judge 'American Idol' In Los Angeles]
^ "'So why did you turn down the Spice Girls?': Victoria Beckham grills Simon Cowell as she joins American Idol". The Daily Mail (London). August 11, 2009. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1205713/Simon-Cowell-did-turn-Spice-Girls-Victoria-Beckham-joins-American-Idol.html. Retrieved August 19, 2009.
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^ Fox's 'American Idol' returns to Boston this week
^ "American Idol" auditions hit Atlanta, Leaving Our Jaws, Pants on Ground
^ At Chicago auditions, Shania is an 'American Idol' diva in Twaining
^ “American Idol” Reject Donald Jarrod Norrell Hauled Away In Handcuffs
^ Release says Los Angeles; arena is actually in Pasadena. Though its part of Los Angeles metropolitan area.
^ A Starring Role for the Marina Del Rey Marriott
^ Release says Dallas; arena is actually in Arlington. Though its part of Dallas metropolitan area.
^ Neil Patrick Harris is your latest 'American Idol' guest judge
^ ^a ^b Joe Jonas meets Brewer High teens before first day of classes
^ American Idol in Denver - Photo Gallery
^ Golden Ticket Interviews American Idol
^ Payne, Bob (February 8, 2010). ""American Idol" hopeful from Seattle did not make it to Hollywood afterall". The Seattle Times. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/idolconfessions/2011019702_idolhayes08.html. Retrieved February 10, 2010.
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^ Doris Dickson says: (May 28, 2010). "Despite American Idol Loss, Bowersox a Boon for Diabetes Awareness". Diabetesnewshound.com. http://diabetesnewshound.com/type1/crystal-bowersox/. Retrieved February 24, 2011.
^ Crystal Bowersox could be a game-time decision tonight USA Today, March 3, 2010
^ Although the American Idol website lists Siobhan Magnus' hometown as Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Siobhan is specifically from Marstons Mills, Massachusetts, a village in the town of Barnstable, Massachusetts within Cape Cod, Massachusetts. "'American Idol' worship at Barnstable High". CapeCodOnline.com. March 13, 2010. http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100313/NEWS/3130311. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
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^ 'Idol' suffers historic ratings low after Seacrest spoils it March 18, 2010 The Washington Post
^ 'American Idol': Ryan Seacrest spoils results show on Twitter March 18, 2010 Entertainment Weekly
^ "‘Idol’s’ problem isn’t Ellen anymore — it’s Ryan". MSN. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36449260/ns/entertainment-reality_tv/. Retrieved 5 June 2010.
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^ Final 2009-10 Broadcast Primetime Show Average Viewership
^ ^a ^b tvbythenumbers Jan 20, 2010
^ ^a ^b tvbythenumbers Jan 26, 2010
^ ^a ^b "tvbythenumbers Feb 2, 2010
^ ^a ^b tvbythenumbers Feb 9, 2010
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^ ^a ^b tvbythenumbers Feb 17, 2010
^ ^a ^b tvbythenumbers Feb 23, 2010
^ ^a ^b ^c tvbythenumbers March 2, 2010
^ ^a ^b ^c TV Ratings Top 25: Oscars, American Idol & The Big Bang Theory Top Weekly Broadcast Charts
^ ^a ^b ^c TV Ratings Top 25: American Idol, Big Bang Theory, NCIS Top Weekly Broadcast Charts
^ TV Ratings Top 25: American Idol, NCIS, Undercover Boss, House Top Weekly Broadcast Charts
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^ Seidman, Robert (March 25, 2010). "Broadcast Finals: The Middle, Modern Family, Idol, Survivor, ANTM Rise". TV by the Numbers. http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/03/25/broadcast-finals-the-middle-modern-family-idol-survivor-antm-rise/46117. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
^ Seidman, Robert (April 6, 2010). "TV Ratings Top 25: Dancing; "Idol" & "Lost" Top Weekly Broadcast Charts". TV by the Numbers. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/04/06/tv-ratings-top-25-dancing-idol-lost-top-weekly-broadcast-charts/47530. Retrieved April 1, 2010.
^ Seidman, Robert (March 31, 2010). ""The Middle," "Modern Family," and "American Idol" Rise In Wednesday Broadcast Finals". TV by the Numbers. http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/04/01/the-middle-modern-family-and-american-idol-rise-in-wednesday-broadcast-finals/47069. Retrieved April 1, 2010.
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^ Seidman, Robert (April 8, 2010). "Wednesday Finals: "CSI: NY" Dips Further + "South Park," "In Plain Sight" and More". TV by the Numbers. http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/04/08/wednesday-finals-csi-ny-dips-further-south-park-in-plain-sight-and-more/47783. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
^ Gorman, Bill (April 14, 2010). "Broadcast Finals Tuesday: Dancing, Lost Adjusted Up; V Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/04/14/broadcast-finals-tuesday-dancing-lost-adjusted-up-v-adjusted-down/48563. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
^ Gorman, Bill (April 15, 2010). "Wednesday Broadcast Finals: The Middle, Modern Family, Cougar Town Adjusted Up; Ugly Betty Down". TV by the Numbers. http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/04/15/wednesday-broadcast-finals-the-middle-modern-family-cougar-town-adjusted-up-ugly-betty-down/48734. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
^ Gorman, Bill (April 21, 2010). "Broadcast Finals Tuesday: Lost, Idol Adjusted Up; Glee, V Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/04/21/broadcast-finals-tuesday-lost-idol-adjusted-up-glee-v-adjusted-down/49348. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
^ Gorman, Bill (April 22, 2010). "Wednesday Broadcast Finals: Idol, L&O: SVU Adjusted Up; Accidentally On Purpose Down". TV by the Numbers. http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/04/22/wednesday-broadcast-finals-idol-l-accidentally-on-purpose-down/49489. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
^ Gorman, Bill (April 28, 2010). "Broadcast Finals Tuesday: Idol, Dancing, NCIS Adjusted Up; Glee Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/04/28/broadcast-finals-tuesday-idol-dancing-ncis-adjusted-up-glee-adjusted-down/50003. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
^ Gorman, Bill (April 29, 2010). "Wednesday Broadcast Finals: Modern Family, American Idol, Top Model Adjusted Up; High Society Down". TV by the Numbers. http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/04/29/wednesday-broadcast-finals-modern-family-american-idol-top-model-adjusted-up-high-society-down/50112. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
^ Gorman, Bill (May 5, 2010). "Broadcast Finals Tuesday: Idol, Lost, 90210 Adjusted Up; Good Wife, V, Parenthood Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/05/05/broadcast-finals-tuesday-idol-lost-90210-adjusted-up-good-wife-v-parenthood-adjusted-down/50683. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
^ Seidman, Robert (May 6, 2010). "Wednesday Finals: "American Idol," "The Middle," "Modern Family," "Cougar Town" and "CSI: NY" Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/05/06/wednesday-finals-american-idol-the-middle-modern-family-cougar-town-and-csi-ny-adjusted-up/50751. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
^ Seidman, Robert (May 12, 2010). "Tuesday Finals: Lost, NCIS Adjusted Up; Good Wife, V, Glee Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/05/12/lost-ncis-adjusted-up-good-wife-v-glee-adjusted-down/51230. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
^ Gorman, Bill (May 13, 2010). "Wednesday Finals: American Idol, Modern Family, Cougar Town Adjusted Up; Old Christine, Happy Town Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/05/13/wednesday-finals-american-idol-modern-family-cougar-town-adjusted-up-old-christine-happy-town-adjusted-down/51324. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
^ ^a ^b TV Ratings Top 25: Dancing Tops Idol With Viewers Again, Lost Finale Wins With Adults 18-49
^ ^a ^b TV Ratings Top 25: American Idol, Big Bang Theory, Two And A Half Men Top 18-49 Ratings

External links

American Idol season 9

Finalists	Lee DeWyze • Crystal Bowersox • Casey James • Michael Lynche • Aaron Kelly • Siobhan Magnus • Tim Urban • Katie Stevens • Andrew Garcia • Didi Benami • Paige Miles • Lacey Brown

Related articles	Episode list · Tour · American Idol Season 9 · "Beautiful Day"

American Idol

Seasons	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Hosts	Ryan Seacrest Brian Dunkleman (2002)

Judges	Randy Jackson Paula Abdul (2002–2009) Simon Cowell (2002–2010) Kara DioGuardi (2009–2010) Ellen DeGeneres (2010) Jennifer Lopez (2011–present) Steven Tyler (2011–present)

Winners	Kelly Clarkson Ruben Studdard Fantasia Barrino Carrie Underwood Taylor Hicks Jordin Sparks David Cook Kris Allen Lee DeWyze Scotty McCreery

Winners' singles	"A Moment Like This" "Flying Without Wings" "I Believe" "Inside Your Heaven" "Do I Make You Proud" "This Is My Now" "The Time of My Life" "No Boundaries" "Beautiful Day" "I Love You This Big"

Runners-up	Justin Guarini Clay Aiken Diana DeGarmo Bo Bice Katharine McPhee Blake Lewis David Archuleta Adam Lambert Crystal Bowersox Lauren Alaina

Other alumni	Josh Gracin Jennifer Hudson Elliott Yamin Chris Daughtry Kellie Pickler

Spin-offs	From Justin to Kelly Juniors Christmas Extra Rewind

Concert tours	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Related articles	Alumni album sales Alumni awards and nominations Alumni in film, television and theater Alumni single sales Compilation series Controversies Discography Episodes Hot 100 singles Idol Gives Back Idol series Magazine The American Idol Experience Video game World Idol

Nielsen Media Research top-rated United States network television show

1950s	50–1: Texaco Star Theater · 51–2: Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts · 52–3: I Love Lucy · 53–4: I Love Lucy · 54–5: I Love Lucy · 55–6: The $64,000 Question · 56–7: I Love Lucy · 57–8: Gunsmoke · 58–9: Gunsmoke · 59–60: Gunsmoke

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1970s	70–1: Marcus Welby, M.D. · 71–2: All in the Family · 72–3: All in the Family · 73–4: All in the Family · 74–5: All in the Family · 75–6: All in the Family · 76–7: Happy Days · 77–8: Laverne & Shirley · 78–9: Laverne & Shirley · 79–80: 60 Minutes

1980s	80–1: Dallas · 81–2: Dallas · 82–3: 60 Minutes · 83–4: Dallas · 84–5: Dynasty · 85–6: The Cosby Show · 86–7: The Cosby Show · 87–8: The Cosby Show · 88–9: The Cosby Show · 89–90: Roseanne

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2000s	00–1: Survivor (AO) · 01–2: Friends (S8) · 02–3: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (S3) · 03–4: American Idol (S3) · 04–5: American Idol (S4) · 05–6: American Idol (S5) · 06–7: American Idol (S6) · 07–8: American Idol (S7) · 08–9: American Idol (S8) · 09–10: American Idol (S9)

2010s	10–1: American Idol (S10)