Alright, let's get one thing straight. American Idol isn't nearly as good as it was back in it's heydey, but when Idol was at it's peak there was nothing else like it on TV. Before The Voice, before The X Factor, there was Idol. Idol might still be a ratings juggernaut (lol, I said maybe) if these other programs hadn't been on their air trying to capitalize off of it's success but I'll get more into that with a true tribute post this weekend. The point is, American Idol churned out some of the greatest and most iconic moments in television history and will be missed. It may sound cheesy, but American Idol was my entire childhood and it's crazy to think ten years ago I was sitting in my room re-watching Seasons 1-5 on VHS tapes that we still have to this day.
15. SEASON 12
This was basically the season that killed Idol. There are so many terrible things to say about this season so...let's just be positive. This was the season of the girls! Candice Glover absolutely owned this season, it was kind of like throwing in a few steaks into a tub of chicken thighs. But shockingly, they got rid of all of the chicken thighs and we were left with one of the strongest top fives in Idol history. Angie, Kree, Amber and Jenelle may have not been Candice Glover but they fought all season like pros to cement their place in the competition.
BEST PERFORMANCES:
Candice Glover: "I Who Have Nothing", "Don't Make Me Over", "When You Believe", "Love Song", "Somewhere", "Inseparable".
Angie Miller: "You Set Me Free", "Never Gone", "Halo", "Titanium"
Amber Holcomb: "What About Love", "My Funny Valentine", "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life"
MEMORABLE/BEST MOMENTS:
-Angie Miller performing "You Set Me Free". I just got goosebumps again.
-Mariah Carey throwing glitter on Candice Glover after she tore up "Lovesong"!
-Because I'm a petty bitch, I really enjoyed Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj bickering. Oops! Oddly enough, I preferred Nicki as a judge over Mariah. Yikes! She kept it real and didn't sugar coat, while remaining a loving judge. Mariah wasn't bad, I just think she would have had a better time as a vocal coach/mentor to the contestants (if only Simon Cowell got her, instead of Britney Spears, to do X Factor...). Also, simmer down sir.
14. SEASON 13
Aside from three or four absolutely outstanding performances that went down in Idol history (coming solely from the rock powerhouse, Jena Irene), this season was a dud. If I asked you who won this season and you weren't a super fan, could you tell me without googling it? Billboard certainly can't, because it's the won season where the winner's single didn't even chart. The shining moments of the season came from the dark horse, Jena Irene, performance wise (okay...Caleb had some moments too) and the new and improved judging panel. Although, anything would have been an improvement from the constant Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj bickering.
BEST PERFORMANCES:
Malaya Watson: "Take Me to the King".
Majesty Rose: Lol
MEMORABLE/BEST MOMENTS:
-When they tried to pit the Idols against each other to make the competition dramatic but no one cared.
-When Randy Jackson ignored Ariana Grande's fist bump.
-Harry and Jennifer criticize a male contestant for singing "If I Were a Boy" because the lyrics were "distracting." (But during the live shows, they praise Malaya Watson for singing "When I Was Your Man" and keeping the pronouns...)
-They use the save. ....On Sam?
13. SEASON 14
I barely watched this season. I clocked in for Clark, sometimes Joey, maybe Tyanna and occasionally for Rayvon. But...Clark Beckham. That's pretty much all I have to say about this season, it's still a crime that he lost. I can't speak too much on this season because aside from a few scattered Tyanna Jones, Joey Cook and Rayvon Owen performances, Beckham was what initially drew me into the season and the only contestant I really paid attention to.
BEST PERFORMANCES:
-Whenever Clark Beckham opened his mouth to sing (particularly: "The Trouble With Love Is", "When A Man Loves a Woman", "Earned It"...you know what? Just bless yourself: here )
MEMORABLE/BEST MOMENTS:
-Harry Connick Jr attempts to read Quentin Alexander.
12. SEASON 15
The farewell season was far from perfect but it's as good as we're getting from a fifteen year old Idol, and the final three are shaping up to be pretty interesting and it wouldn't be a complete disappointment if any of the three take the crown. The nostalgia was strong and heavy this season and Kelly Clarkson provided one of the most touching moments of the show during an emotional performance of "Piece By Piece".
BEST PERFORMANCES:
BEST PERFORMANCES:
Kelly Clarkson: Piece By Piece (cut it out, this counts).
La'Porsha Renae: Diamonds, Halo, No More Drama
Trent Harmon: Chandelier, Waiting Game, Simple Man
MEMORABLE/BEST MOMENTS:
-Jennifer Lopez reminds us that this is the final season (at 3:15)
11. SEASON 9
This just seemed like a filler season. It was unnecessary to add in Kara Diagourdi the previous season (even though I enjoyed her) and it was even more confusing as to why they added Ellen Degeneres to the panel. Not only did she have no musical experience, but why was it so hard for them to just have another three person panel? There wasn't anything that stood out in this season, aside from Siobhan Magnus' scream and it being Simon Cowell's last season. Also, who is Lee Dwitz?
Siobhan. Magnus. Paint. It. Black.
"As a matter of fact, yes I have loved a woman." - Ellen Degeneres, ladies and gentleman.
-And Pants on the Ground!!
10. SEASON 6
Aside form Idol Gives Back, this season wasn't anything special (or even interesting). Sanjaya Malakar is to Idol what Scrappy Doo is to Scooby. We don't bring him up. At least we got Jordin Sparks (one of the most commercially successful winners) out of it!
BEST PERFORMANCES:
MEMORABLE/BEST MOMENTS:
Jordin Sparks: I Who Have Nothing
MEMORABLE/BEST MOMENTS:
-Sanjaya's Fo-hawk.
09. SEASON 5
This was a pretty lackluster season, aside from one Katherine McPhee and Chris Daughtery (and occasionally Elliot Yamin). Taylor Hick's career went triple Plexiglas, despite being hailed the winner and it's home to two unforgettable moments (that both involved Katherine McPhee): "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and Chris Daughtery's shocking elimination.
BEST PERFORMANCES:
-Katharine McPhee: "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"
MEMORABLE/BEST MOMENTS:
-Chris Daughtery is eliminated. Ryan was ruthless!!
-Ace Young's face.
-Chicken Little
08. SEASON 7
The final season with our original trio of judges and the first season where contestants could play instruments on stage. This season is also home to the first real reinvention of a song on Idol (and any other singing show), I believe, when David Cook completely flipped "Billie Jean" on her head and turned it into a haunting, beautiful ballad. Oh, also, two Davids. That was...cute.
BEST PERFORMANCES:
-David Cook sings "Billy Jean".
MEMORABLE MOMENTS/BEST MOMENTS:
07. SEASON 2
This was the first season the show started to pick up some steam and we were introduced to wild characters (Vanessa and her butt, Keith being the worst singer in the world, Simon Cowell's tight tops). I'm still a little shocked that Ruben Studdard won but, hey, black. It's fine by me now.
BEST PERFORMANCES:
Clay Aiken: "Bridge Over Troubled Water", "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me"
MEMORABLE MOMENTS/BEST MOMENTS:
-Ruben Studdard's sweat rag.
-Corey Clark's dramatic elimination/possible affair with Paula Abdul.
-"I think you're possibly the worst singer in the world..." Keith, ironically, singing "Like a Virgin."
06. SEASON 3
Let's be honest, aside from the three queens: Fantasia, LaToya and Jennifer (and sometimes Diana), the contestants were duds this season. From Jennifer's shocking elimination to William Hung, this season was entertaining to say the least. It's also home to the first few iconic live show performances (in my opinion) on the show ("Summertime", "Circle of Life" and "I Believe"). "I Believe is still probably the best winner's single in the show to this date, mostly thanks to Fantasia' touching performance.
BEST PERFORMANCES:
-Fantasia: "Summertime", "I Believe" <<<<this ;(
-Jennifer Hudson sings "Circle of Life", is eliminated (7:23).
MEMORABLE MOMENTS/BEST MOMENTS:
-She "bangs," but William Hung just bungs.
-Fantasia wins and almost breaks Diana's neck.
05. SEASON 1
It was the first season, we had Kelly Clarkson and Tamyra Gray. But back in these days, the standards were much lower and the first group of contestants were mediocre at best. There's just...some strange charm about the first season that I can't get over.
BEST PERFORMANCES:
-Kelly Clarkson delivers the first water cooler moment of the series during "Natural Woman".
-Justin Guarini: Get Here
-Tamyra Gray: A House is Not a Home
MEMORABLE MOMENTS/BEST MOMENTS:
-Kelly Clarkson wins!
04. SEASON 8
This was the season of Idol that changed everything. They brought a fourth judge in, they introduced the save, they brought back wild cards, there were bikini girls and Tatiana Del Toro refused to stop "Saving All [her] Love". And it's home to one of the greatest and most memorable moments in Idol history: Megan Joy's bird noises. ...Nah, "Mad World."
BEST PERFORMANCES:
Adam Lambert: "Mad World," "Track of My Tears"
Lil Rounds: "Be Without You"
MEMORABLE MOMENTS/BEST MOMENTS:
-Kara Dioguardi SCHOOLS Bikini Girl.
03. SEASON 10
Although this was the first season I stopped watching Idol before the live rounds, this was strangely one of the seasons that drew me in the most. Aside from a few ridiculous critiques at the expense of Haley Reinhart, the judges were a little too nice but their chemistry was fresh and interesting. There was just so much that went down between J-Lo having a meltdown because she was a judge that had to, well, judge to the most shocking elimination ever to Haley Reinhart's meteoric rise from background, to underdog, to front running. I couldn't take my eyes off this season (unfortunately, I didn't look myself in the mirror...)
BEST PERFORMANCES:
-Naima Adedapo: "Umbrella", "Dancing In the Street"
Haley Reinhart: "Benny & the Jets", "Rolling in the Deep", "House of the Rising Sun", "I Who Have Nothing".
-MOANIN' BITCH!!
Pia Toscano: (Everything she sang turned to gold, just look her up, man.)
MEMORABLE MOMENTS/BEST MOMENTS:
-"If I end up in the bottom three, it will be because America wasn't ready to look themselves in the mirror." - Jacob Lusk, ....................................
-Jennifer Lopez does her best to win Idol an Emmy for her acting. ...Girl, you're the judge. If you don't want to send him home...don't.
-Pia Toscano's elimination
-Haley Reinhart restrains from reading Randy Jackson for blood.
02. SEASON 4
I'm a little biased because this was the first season of Idol I was able to remember and follow live and actually vote but this season had some absolute gems. Vonzell Solomon came out every week with the funk, Mikalah Gordan sounded like she was singing with her mouth half closed and the moment of all moments: Carrie Underwood singing "Alone," followed by Simon Cowell (accurately) predicting she would win the show and be one of the most successful acts.
BEST PERFORMANCES:
Carrie Underwood: "Alone"
Vonzell Solomon: "I Have Nothing"
MEMORABLE MOMENTS/BEST MOMENTS:
LOL, Y'ALL REMEMBER TONI BRAXTON'S "COUSIN"? "Blank faces?"
-Mary Roach tries to move the judges, the only thing that moved was her personality because this chick was insane.
-"Not only will you win this show, but you will sell more records than any other previous Idol winner."
01. SEASON 11
A lot of people may not agree with this, but I think talent wise this was the best group of contestants in Idol's history. I could've imagined nearly any of them (Phillip, Jessica, Joshua, Hollie, Skylar, Elise, Colton, Deandre) winning at one point in the competition or another. It was also extremely unpredictable (aside from Hollie and Elise in their permanent bottom three spots -- they knocked out Deandre and Colton back to back!). This season was also the birth of a star (in my mind). Jessica Sanchez is without a doubt one of the best singers Idol has ever had and her not winning will always sink my heart.
BEST PERFORMANCES:
Jessica Sanchez: I Will Always Love You, Everybody Has a Dream, Stuttering, And I Am Telling You, The Prayer
Joshua Ledet: No More Drama, When a Man Loves a Woman, It's a Man's Man's Man's World
Hollie Cavanagh: The Climb, Bleeding Love
Elise Testone: Whole Lotta Love, Vienna
Colton Dixon: Piano Man
Jessica Sanchez & Joshua Ledet: I Knew You Were Waiting For Me
Jessica Sanchez & Jennifer Holliday: And I Am Telling You
Jessica Sanchez, Candice Glover & Deandre Brackensick: It Doesn't Matter Anymore
MEMORABLE MOMENTS/BEST MOMENTS:
-Jermaine is told he's disqualified
-Erika Van Pelt's new do...is a do not, and she's eliminated.
-Jessica....Sanchez.
What do you think? Did I get it right? Let me know what your favorite season was and why in the comments!
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