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

American Idol

American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...

, 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 channels, 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 the TV Guide Network. It was also shown on The CW Plus

The CW Plus

The CW Plus is a group of primarily digital sub-channels, analog, and non-broadcast cable television outlets for the CW Television Network, for markets below the top 99 television media markets in the United States....

's lineup.

Distributors

Until December 2007, "Rewind" was syndicated by Tribune Entertainment

Tribune Entertainment

Tribune Entertainment was a television production and syndication company owned and operated by Tribune Broadcasting in the mid-1980s. Many programs offered from Tribune Entertainment have been broadcast on the company's television stations....

. On December 18, 2007, Tribune Entertainment announced it would exit the program distribution business. (http://www.tvweek.com/news/2007/12/tribune_entertainment_ends_dis.php) 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

FremantleMedia

FremantleMedia, Ltd. is the content and production division of Bertelsmann's RTL Group, Europe's second largest TV, radio, and production company...

, transferred syndication to another company, Trifecta Entertainment & Media

Trifecta Entertainment & Media

Trifecta Entertainment & Media is an American entertainment company founded in 2006. The company's founders previously held jobs as executives at MGM Television. Trifecta is primarily a distribution company and also handles advertising sales in exchange for syndication deals with local television...

.

Season One (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

Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Brianne Clarkson is an American pop rock singer-songwriter and actress. Clarkson came into prominence after becoming the winner of the inaugural season of the television series American Idol in 2002 and would later become the runner-up in the television special World Idol in 2003.In 2003,...

'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

Brian Dunkleman

Brian Dunkleman is a comedian and actor. He is best known as being co-host with Ryan Seacrest on the first season of American Idol on the Fox Network.-Career:...

, who was co-host with Ryan Seacrest

Ryan Seacrest

Ryan John Seacrest is an American radio personality, television host, network producer and voice actor. He is the host of On Air with Ryan Seacrest, a nationally syndicated Top 40 radio show that airs on KIIS-FM in Los Angeles and throughout the United States and Canada on Premiere Radio Networks,...

 season one but left under sour terms, adds new commentary.

Season Two (2007-2008)

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," introduced Ruben Studdard

Ruben Studdard

Christopher Theodore Ruben Studdard , best known as Ruben Studdard, is an American R&B, pop, and gospel singer. He rose to fame as winner of the second season of American Idol...

 (winner), Clay Aiken

Clay Aiken

Clayton Holmes "Clay" Aiken is an American singer, songwriter, actor, producer and author who began his rise to fame on the second season of the television program American Idol in 2003. RCA Records offered him a recording contract, and his multi-platinum debut album Measure of a Man was released...

 (runner-up), Kimberley Locke

Kimberley Locke

Kimberley Dawn Locke is an American singer-songwriter and model. She has recorded in the dance, pop and adult contemporary music genres....

, and Josh Gracin

Josh Gracin

Joshua Mario "Josh" Gracin is a country music singer. A former member of the United States Marine Corps, he first gained public attention as the fourth-place finalist on the second season of the Fox Networks talent competition American Idol.After his elimination from the show, Gracin completed his...

. Aiken provides the narration for this set of episodes.

Season Three & Four (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

Fantasia Barrino

Fantasia Monique Barrino commonly known as Fantasia, is an American R&B singer, Broadway and television actress who rose to fame as the winner of the third season of the reality television series American Idol in 2004. Following her victory, she released her debut single, "I Believe", which...

 won and Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Kate Hudson is an American recording artist, actress and spokesperson. She came to prominence in 2004 as one of the finalists on the third season of American Idol coming in seventh place...

 and Jasmine Trias

Jasmine Trias

Jasmine Trias is an American singer-entertainer who was the third place finalist on the third season of American Idol, due in part to tremendous call-in support from California, New York, and her native state of Hawaii. She has released one album to date, Jasmine Trias...

 were finalists, and the second half showcased Season 4 where Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood

Carrie Marie Underwood is an American country singer-songwriter and actress who rose to fame as the winner of the fourth season of American Idol, in 2005...

 was the winner.

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

Jason Kennedy (TV personality)

Jason Kennedy is a correspondent at E! Networks, where he covers national celebrity news.Born in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Kennedy grew up near that city, where his love for television news became apparent, even in his pre-teen years, when he spent countless hours chasing local news trucks and...

 narrates.

Season Five (2009-2010)

The fourth edition of Rewind featured the fifth season of American Idol, where Taylor Hicks

Taylor Hicks

Taylor Reuben Hicks is an American singer who achieved fame in 2006, when he won the fifth season of American Idol. Hicks got his start as a professional musician in his late teens and performed around the Southeastern United States for well over the span of a decade, during which he also released...

 won and Chris Daughtry

Chris Daughtry

Christopher Adam "Chris" Daughtry is an American musician best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the rock band Daughtry and as the fourth-place finalist on the fifth season of American Idol, from which he was eliminated on May 10, 2006...

 was a finalist. Jason Kennedy returns to narrate.

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 Pop Idol Pop Idol is a British television series which debuted on ITV on 6 October 2001. The show was a talent contest to decide the best new young pop singer in the United Kingdom, based on viewer voting and participation. Two series were broadcast - one in 2001-02 and a second in 2003...  winner Will Young Will Young William Robert "Will" Young is a British singer-songwriter and actor who came to prominenceafter winning the 2002 inaugural series of the British music contest Pop Idol, making him the first winner of the now-worldwide Idols-format franchise...  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 Lamont Dozier Lamont Herbert Dozier is an American songwriter and record producer, born in Detroit, Michigan. Dozier has either co-written or produced several US Billboard #1 hits.-Career:... ; 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 Gladys Knight Gladys Maria Knight , known as the "Empress of Soul", is an American singer-songwriter, actress, businesswoman, humanitarian, and author... ; 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 Olivia Newton-John Olivia Newton-John AO, OBE is a singer and actress. She is a four-time Grammy award winner who has amassed five No. 1 and ten other Top Ten Billboard Hot 100 singles and two No. 1 Billboard 200 solo albums. Eleven of her singles and 14 of her albums have been certified gold by the RIAA... ; 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 Verdine White Verdine White is the bassist for Earth, Wind & Fire and the younger brother of fellow band member Maurice White. White is known for his high energy and dancing while playing his bass guitar during Earth, Wind & Fire concerts.-Early life:... ; Nobody is voted off.	Season Two
45	"Top 8 to 7"	March 8, 2008	The Final 8 sing Billboard #1s; Guest judge Lionel Richie Lionel Richie Lionel Brockman Richie, Jr. , is an American singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. Since 1968, he has been a member of the musical group Commodores signed to Motown Records... ; 8 will become 7.	Season Two
46	"Top 7 to 6"	March 15, 2008	The Final 7 sing songs of Billy Joel Billy Joel William Martin "Billy" Joel is an American musician and pianist, singer-songwriter, and classical composer. Since releasing his first hit song, "Piano Man", in 1973, Joel has become the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States, according to... ; Guest judge Smokey Robinson Smokey Robinson William "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy... ; 7 will become 6.	Season Two
47	"Top 6 to 5"	March 22, 2008.	The Final 6 sing the songs of Diane Warren Diane Warren Diane Eve Warren , is a US songwriter. Her songs have received six Academy Award nominations, five Golden Globe nominations, including one win and seven Grammy Award nominations, including one win. She was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001... ; 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 Neil Sedaka Neil Sedaka is an American pop/rock singer, pianist, and composer. His career has spanned nearly 55 years, during which time he has sold millions of records as an artist and has written or co-written over 500 songs for himself and other artists, collaborating mostly with lyricists Howard... ; 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 Bee Gees The Bee Gees are a musical group that originally comprised three brothers: Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. The trio was successful for most of their 40-plus years of recording music, but they had two distinct periods of exceptional success: as a pop act in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and as a... ; Guest judge Robin Gibb Robin Gibb Robin Hugh Gibb, CBE is a British singer and songwriter. He is best known as a member of the Bee Gees, co-founded with his twin brother Maurice , and elder brother Barry.... ; 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 Mark McGrath Mark Sayers McGrath is an American singer of the rock band Sugar Ray. McGrath is also known for his work as a co-host of Extra, and he was the host of Don't Forget the Lyrics! in 2010... .	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 LL Cool J James Todd Smith , better known as LL Cool J , is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor... .	Season Four
63	"New Orleans Auditions"	February 7, 2009	Auditions in New Orleans, guest judge Gene Simmons Gene Simmons Gene Simmons is an Israeli-American entrepreneur, singer-songwriter, actor, and rock bassist. Known as "The Demon", he is the bassist/vocalist of Kiss, a hard rock band he co-founded in the early 1970s.-Early life:... .	Season Four
64	"Las Vegas Auditions"	February 14, 2009	Auditions in Las Vegas, guest judge Kenny Loggins Kenny Loggins During the next decade, Loggins recorded so many successful songs for film soundtracks that he was referred to as, King of the Movie Soundtrack.He began with "I'm Alright" , "Mr. Night", and "Lead the Way" from Caddyshack... .	Season Four
65	"San Francisco Auditions"	February 21, 2009	Auditions in San Francisco, guest judge Brandy Brandy Norwood Brandy Rayana Norwood , known professionally as Brandy, is an American singer-songwriter, producer, actress, and dancer. In 2009, she introduced her rap alter-ego Bran'Nu.... .	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 #1s, 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 Gamble and Huff Kenneth Gamble and Leon A. Huff are an American songwriting and record production team who have written and produced over 170 gold and platinum records. They were pioneers of Philadelphia soul and the in-house creative team for the Philadelphia International record label... , 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 Clive Davis Clive Davis is an American record producer and music industry executive. He has won five Grammy Awards and is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer. From 1967 to 1973 he was the President of Columbia Records. He was the founder and president of Arista Records from 1975... , 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 Stevie Wonder Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist... ; 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 Queen (band) Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor... ; 8 will become 7.	Season Five
87	"S5 Top 7"	February 20, 2010	The Top 7 sing songs from the Great American Songbook Great American Songbook The Great American Songbook is a hypothetical construct that seeks to represent the best American songs of the 20th century principally from Broadway theatre, musical theatre, and Hollywood musicals, from the 1920s to 1960, including dozens of songs of enduring popularity... ; 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 Elvis Presley Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King".... ; 4 will become 3.	Season Five
92	"S5 Top 3"	May 8, 2010	The Top 3 sing one song chosen by Clive Davis Clive Davis Clive Davis is an American record producer and music industry executive. He has won five Grammy Awards and is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer. From 1967 to 1973 he was the President of Columbia Records. He was the founder and president of Arista Records from 1975... , 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