American Idol Rewind is a syndicated television series that ran from September 30, 2006 to May 15, 2010. The hour-long weekly series was a repurposed edition of the hit reality talent show American Idol, featuring present day interviews with the contestants, semi-finalists and rejected auditioners in addition to extra audition, Hollywood Week, and finals footage never previously aired. It featured the first five seasons of the original series.
In August 2006, the series was cleared for broadcast on stations in over 96 percent of the United States. In addition to local stations (including the cable-only CW Plus group of stations), the program formerly aired nationally over cable channel Superstation WGN/WGN America.
Starting Fall 2008, American Idol Rewind started airing encores a week later on TV Guide Network.[1]
Until December 2007, "Rewind" was syndicated by Tribune Entertainment, which began a quick departure from the industry on December 18, 2007 as part of Tribune Company's oncoming bankruptcy. ([1]) As a result, its programs were being forced to find new distributors for their shows. Almost immediately after the closedown, American Idol's producers, FremantleMedia, transferred syndication and distribution to Trifecta Entertainment & Media.
The first season highlighted the same season of the original series.
A highlight of the audition episodes was the first-ever screening of Kelly Clarkson's full audition in Dallas, which never aired in the original run of the show. On the episode aired the weekend of October 14–15, Clarkson singing a portion of Madonna's "Express Yourself" was shown.
Brian Dunkleman, who was co-host with Ryan Seacrest season one but left under sour terms, adds new commentary.
The second season showcased the same season of the original series. The second season, described by the show's producers as "the year that put American Idol on the map with legendary talent and unprecedented ratings,"[2] introduced Ruben Studdard (winner), Clay Aiken (runner-up), Kimberley Locke, and Josh Gracin. Aiken provides the narration for this set of episodes.
The third edition of "Rewind" highlighted both the Third and Fourth Seasons of the original series. The first half showcased Season 3, where Fantasia Barrino won and Jennifer Hudson and Jasmine Trias were finalists, and the second half showcased Season 4 where Carrie Underwood was the winner.[3]
Due to copyright laws, the show was unable to get rights to air full-length performances from Season Three which is why they bundled up 16 weeks of the show in 3 weeks.
Jason Kennedy narrates.
The fourth edition of Rewind featured the fifth season of American Idol, where Taylor Hicks won and Chris Daughtry was a finalist.[4] Jason Kennedy returns to narrate.
The series was quietly canceled after the final episodes aired in May 2010.
| # | Episode | Air Date | Overview | Original Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Idol Phenomenon" | September 30, 2006 | An overview of the series Season 1-5 and its overwhelming success. | Seasons One to Five |
| 2 | "Auditions 1" | October 7, 2006 | The first of four episodes devoted to the audition stage. From Los Angeles. | Season One |
| 3 | "Auditions 2" | October 14, 2006 | The second of four episodes devoted to the audition stage. From Chicago and Dallas. | Season One |
| 4 | "Auditions 3" | October 21, 2006 | The third of four episodes devoted to the audition stage. From Atlanta and Seattle. | Season One |
| 5 | "Auditions 4" | October 28, 2006 | The fourth of four episodes devoted to the audition stage. From New York and Miami. | Season One |
| 6 | "Auditions 5" | November 4, 2006 | A recap of the auditions in a "Best Of" format. | Season One |
| 7 | "Hollywood Week 1" | November 11, 2006 | A showcase of the first week's events in Hollywood. | Season One |
| 8 | "Hollywood Week 2" | November 18, 2006 | A showcase of the second week's events in Hollywood. | Season One |
| 9 | "Story So Far" | November 25, 2006 | A showcase of the auditions and the Hollywood rounds | Season One |
| 10 | "Top 30: 1" | February 3, 2007 | The first group of 10 perform for the judges and America. | Season One |
| 11 | "Top 30: 2" | February 10, 2007 | The second group of 10 perform for the judges and America | Season One |
| 12 | "Top 30: 3" | February 17, 2007 | The third group of 10 perform for the judges and America | Season One |
| 13 | "Wild Card" | February 24, 2007 | The judges pick the 5 best performers from all three nights and they perform for the judges for one last chance to be chosen for the top 10 | Season One |
| 14 | "CBS 10 to 8" | March 3, 2007 | The Top 10 sing hits of Motown; 10 will become 8 | Season One |
| 15 | "CBS 8 to 7" | March 10, 2007 | The Top 8 sing hits of the 60's; 8 will become 7 | Season One |
| 16 | "CBS 7 to 6" | March 17, 2007 | The Top 7 sing hits of the 70's; 7 will become 6 | Season One |
| 17 | "CBS 6 to 5" | March 24, 2007 | The Top 6 sing songs of Big band; 6 will become 5 | Season One |
| 18 | "Road to the Top 5" | March 31, 2007 | The Top 5 recount on their experience with the show | Season One |
| 19 | "CBS 5 to 4" | April 7, 2007 | The Top 5 sing love songs; 5 will become 4 | Season One |
| 20 | "CBS 4 to 3" | April 14, 2007 | The Top 4 sing hits of the '80s and '90s; 4 will become 3 | Season One |
| 21 | "CBS 3 to 2" | April 21, 2007 | The Top 3 sings one song of their own Choice and Judges' Choice; 3 will become 2 | Season One |
| 22 | "Finale Performance" | April 28, 2007 | The Top 2 finalists sing two new songs and one previous one, Pop Idol winner Will Young performs. | Season One |
| 23 | "Finale Pre-Performance" | May 5, 2007 | Backstage Pre-Show, the Top 10 Finalists sing a '60s Medley. | Season One |
| 24 | "Finale Results" | May 12, 2007 | The winner is revealed based on America's votes, The Top 10 Return for a Motown Medley. | Season One |
| 25 | "Kelly & Justin" | May 19, 2007 | A look at the journeys of Kelly and Justin during the season. | Season One |
| 26 | "Where Are They Now?" | May 26, 2007 | The Top 10. | Season One |
| 27 | "NY Auditions" | September 29, 2007 | Auditions in New York plus an overview of the season 2 auditions. | Season Two |
| 28 | "Miami/Detroit Auditions" | October 6, 2007 | Auditions in Miami and Detroit. | Season Two |
| 29 | "Atlanta Auditions" | October 13, 2007 | Auditions in Atlanta. | Season Two |
| 30 | "Austin Auditions" | October 20, 2007 | Auditions in Austin. | Season Two |
| 31 | "L.A. Auditions" | October 27, 2007 | Auditions in L.A. | Season Two |
| 32 | "Nashville Auditions" | November 3, 2007 | Auditions in Nashville. | Season Two |
| 33 | "Hollywood Week 1" | November 10, 2007 | Showcase of the first week events in Hollywood. | Season Two |
| 34 | "Hollywood Week 2" | November 17, 2007 | Showcase of the second week events in Hollywood. | Season Two |
| 35 | "Best of the Worst" | November 24, 2007 | Showcase from the worst auditions in all seven cities. | Season Two |
| 36 | "Top 32 Group 1" | January 5, 2008 | The first group of 8 perform for the judges and America. | Season Two |
| 37 | "Top 32 Group 2" | January 12, 2008 | The second group of 8 perform for the judges and America. | Season Two |
| 38 | "Top 32 Group 3" | January 19, 2008 | The third group of 8 perform for the judges and America. | Season Two |
| 39 | "Top 32 Group 4" | January 26, 2008 | The fourth group of 8 perform for the judges and America. | Season Two |
| 40 | "Wildcard Show" | February 2, 2008 | Nine previously eliminated contestants perform for the judges and America for their last chance of making the top 12. | Season Two |
| 41 | "Top 12 to 11" | February 9, 2008 | The Final 12 perform songs of Motown; Guest judge Lamont Dozier; 12 will become 11. | Season Two |
| 42 | "Top 11 to 10" | February 16, 2008 | The Final 11 perform songs from the movies; Guest judge Gladys Knight; 11 will become 10. | Season Two |
| 43 | "Top 10 to 9" | February 23, 2008 | The Final 10 perform Country Rock songs; Guest judge Olivia Newton-John; 10 will become 9. | Season Two |
| 44 | "Top 9 to 8" | March 1, 2008 | One contestant is disqualified; the remaining 8 perform Disco songs; Guest judge Verdine White; Nobody is voted off. | Season Two |
| 45 | "Top 8 to 7" | March 8, 2008 | The Final 8 sing Billboard Number Ones; Guest judge Lionel Richie; 8 will become 7. | Season Two |
| 46 | "Top 7 to 6" | March 15, 2008 | The Final 7 sing songs of Billy Joel; Guest judge Smokey Robinson; 7 will become 6. | Season Two |
| 47 | "Top 6 to 5" | March 22, 2008. | The Final 6 sing the songs of Diane Warren; Guest judge Diane Warren; 6 will become 5. | Season Two |
| 48 | "Top 5 to 4" | March 29, 2008 | The Final 5 sing the songs of the 60's and songs of Neil Sedaka; Guest judge Neil Sedaka; 5 will become 4. | Season Two |
| 49 | "Top 4 to 3" | April 5, 2008 | The Final 4 sing the songs of the Bee Gees; Guest judge Robin Gibb; 4 will become 3. | Season Two |
| 50 | "Top 3 to 2" | April 12, 2008 | The Final 3 sing one song chosen randomly, one chosen by the judges, and one they chose; 3 will become 2. | Season Two |
| 51 | "Final 2" | April 19, 2008 | The finalists return; The Top 2 are interviewed and their journey on the show is looked at; The judges answer questions. | Season Two |
| 52 | "Finale" | April 26, 2008 | The Top 2 Perform 2 songs each; The winner is revealed. | Season Two |
| 53 | "New York Auditions" | September 27, 2008 | Season 3 Auditions in New York. | Season Three |
| 54 | "Atlanta Auditions" | October 4, 2008 | Auditions in Atlanta. | Season Three |
| 55 | "LA/SF Auditions" | October 11, 2008 | Auditions in Los Angeles and San Francisco | Season Three |
| 56 | "Houston-Hawaii Auditions" | October 18, 2008 | Auditions in Houston and Hawaii. | Season Three |
| 57 | "Top 12 Journeys" | October 25, 2008 | The Top 12 go through Hollywood week and Semifinals. | Season Three |
| 58 | "12 to 6 Performances & Results" | November 1, 2008 | A recap of the first six weeks of finals. | Season Three |
| 59 | "6 to Finale: Performances & Results" | November 8, 2008 | The final weeks of the competition. | Season Three |
| 60 | "DC Auditions" | November 15, 2008 | Season 4 Auditions in Washington, D.C., guest judge Mark McGrath. | Season Four |
| 61 | "St. Louis Auditions" | November 22, 2008 | Auditions in St. Louis. | Season Four |
| 62 | "Cleveland/Orlando Auditions" | January 31, 2009 | Auditions in Cleveland and Orlando, guest judge LL Cool J. | Season Four |
| 63 | "New Orleans Auditions" | February 7, 2009 | Auditions in New Orleans, guest judge Gene Simmons. | Season Four |
| 64 | "Las Vegas Auditions" | February 14, 2009 | Auditions in Las Vegas, guest judge Kenny Loggins. | Season Four |
| 65 | "San Francisco Auditions" | February 21, 2009 | Auditions in San Francisco, guest judge Brandy. | Season Four |
| 66 | "S4 Hollywood Week" | February 28, 2009 | Contestants continue auditions in Hollywood. | Season Four |
| 67 | "S4 Semifinals" | March 7, 2009 | 24 Semifinalists, 12 guys and 12 girls, are cut down to the Top 12 Finalists. | Season Four |
| 68 | "S4 Top 12 to Top 10" | March 14, 2009 | The Top 12 perform songs from the 60's, 12 will become 11; The Top 11 perform Billboard Number Ones, 11 will become 10. | Season Four |
| 69 | "S4 Top 10 to Top 8" | March 21, 2009 | The Top 10 perform songs of the 90's, 10 will become 9; The Top 9 perform songs from Broadway, 9 will become 8. | Season Four |
| 70 | "S4 Top 8 to Top 6" | March 28, 2009 | The Top 8 perform songs from the year they were born, 8 will become 7; The Top 7 perform 70's dance music, 7 will become 6. | Season Four |
| 71 | "S4 Top 6 to 4" | May 2, 2009 | The Top 6 sing songs from the 2000s, 6 will become 5; The Top 5 sing songs from Leiber and Stoller and the current Billboard Chart, 5 will become 4. | Season Four |
| 72 | "S4 Top 4 to 2" | May 9, 2009 | The Top 4 sing country songs and songs from Gamble and Huff, 4 will become 3; The Top 3 sing a song of their choice, a song chosen by the judges, and a song chosen by Clive Davis, guest judge Clive Davis, The Top 2 are revealed. | Season Four |
| 73 | "S4 Finale; Results" | May 16, 2009 | The Final 2 perform; the winner is revealed. | Season Four |
| 74 | "Carrie Underwood Special" | May 23, 2009 | The journey of Carrie Underwood. | Season Four |
| 75 | "S5 Chicago Auditions" | September 26, 2009 | Season 5 Auditions in Chicago. | Season Five |
| 76 | "S5 Greensboro Auditions" | October 3, 2009 | Auditions in Greensboro. | Season Five |
| 77 | "S5 Las Vegas-Austin Auditions" | October 10, 2009 | Auditions in Las Vegas and Austin. | Season Five |
| 78 | "S5 Denver Auditions" | October 17, 2009 | Auditions in Denver. | Season Five |
| 79 | "S5 Boston Auditions" | October 24, 2009 | Auditions in Boston. | Season Five |
| 80 | "S5 San Francisco Auditions" | October 31, 2009 | Auditions in San Francisco. | Season Five |
| 81 | "S5 Hollywood Week" | November 7, 2009 | Contestants perform and are eliminated in Hollywood. | Season Five |
| 82 | "S5 Top 12" | November 14, 2009 | The Top 12 sing the songs of Stevie Wonder; 12 will become 11. | Season Five |
| 83 | "S5 Top 11" | November 21, 2009 | The Top 11 sing songs from the 1950s; 11 will become 10. | Season Five |
| 84 | "S5 Top 10" | January 30, 2010 | The Top 10 sing songs from the 2000s; 10 will become 9. | Season Five |
| 85 | "S5 Top 9" | February 6, 2010 | The Top 9 sing country songs; 9 will become 8. | Season Five |
| 86 | "S5 Top 8" | February 13, 2010 | The Top 8 sing the songs of Queen; 8 will become 7. | Season Five |
| 87 | "S5 Top 7" | February 20, 2010 | The Top 7 sing songs from the Great American Songbook; 7 will become 6. | Season Five |
| 88 | "Chris Daughtry Special" | February 27, 2010 | The journey of Chris Daughtry. | Season Five |
| 89 | "S5 Top 6" | March 6, 2010 | The Top 6 sing love songs; 6 will become 5. | Season Five |
| 90 | "S5 Top 5" | March 13, 2010 | The Top 5 sing songs from the year they were born and songs from the current Billboard chart; 5 will become 4. | Season Five |
| 91 | "S5 Top 4" | May 1, 2010 | The Top 4 sing the songs of Elvis Presley; 4 will become 3. | Season Five |
| 92 | "S5 Top 3" | May 8, 2010 | The Top 3 sing one song chosen by Clive Davis, one chosen by the judges, and one they chose; 3 will become 2. | Season Five |
| 93 | "S5 Finale/Results" | May 15, 2010 | The Top 2 perform; The winner is revealed. | Season Five |