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]
Distributors
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, Fremantle, transferred syndication and distribution to Trifecta Entertainment & Media.
Season 1 (2006-2007)
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.
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.
Season 3 & 4 (2008-2009)
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]
The third season gained much notoriety during its original broadcast owing to alleged racism citing minimal voting results of the well-received African-American female singers.[4] For reasons beyond control, the full-length performances from this season could not be syndicated, resulting its 16 week performances were being bundled up in 3 weeks. Season 4, on the other hand, is left untouched.
The fourth edition of Rewind featured the fifth season of American Idol, where Taylor Hicks won and Chris Daughtry was a finalist.[5] Jason Kennedy returns to narrate.
The series was quietly canceled after the final episodes aired in May 2010.
Episodes
#
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.
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.