American Idol season 7

Season of television series

American Idol

Season 7
Hosted by| Ryan Seacrest
Judges| Paula Abdul
Simon Cowell
Randy Jackson
Winner| David Cook
Runner-up| David Archuleta
Finals venue| Nokia Theatre L.A. Live
Release
Original network| Fox
Original release| January 15 (2008-01-15) –
May 21, 2008 (2008-05-21)
Season chronology

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Season 6

Next →
Season 8

List of episodes

The seventh season of American Idol began on January 15, 2008, and concluded on May 21, 2008. Ryan Seacrest continued to host the show, while Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson returned as judges. David Cook was announced as the winner on May 21, 2008, defeating runner-up David Archuleta by a margin of roughly 12 million votes out of over 97 million, which was at that time the highest recorded vote total in the show's history.

## Changes from previous seasons

[edit]

Prior to the start of the seventh season, executive producer Nigel Lythgoe admitted that the sixth season had placed more focus on the guest mentors than the contestants.[1] Changes were planned for the seventh season designed to return attention to the contestants by providing more information on their backgrounds and families.

In a major change for the seventh season, contestants were allowed to play musical instruments,[2] an element that originated on Australian Idol. A brand new set was built, and a new introduction credit sequence was created. The season finale also moved from the Kodak Theatre to the larger Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, which would be the venue for the live series finale for the next six years.

## Regional auditions

[edit]

For the seventh season, auditions began in San Diego, California, on July 30, 2007, and continued in these cities:[3]

American Idol (season 7) – regional auditions  City  | Preliminary date  | Preliminary venue  | Filming date(s)  | Filming venue  | Golden tickets

|
|
|
|
|

San Diego, California[4] | July 30, 2007  | Qualcomm Stadium | September 12–13, 2007  | Rancho Bernardo Inn[5] | 31
Dallas, Texas[6] | August 6, 2007  | Texas Stadium | September 20–23, 2007  | W Hotel Dallas Victory[7] | 24
Omaha, Nebraska[8] | August 10, 2007  | Qwest Center Omaha | October 5–6, 2007  | Qwest Convention Center[9] | 19
Atlanta, Georgia[10] | August 14, 2007  | Georgia Dome | October 8–10, 2007  | Georgia International Convention Center[11][12] | 21
Charleston, South Carolina[13] | August 18, 2007  | North Charleston Coliseum | September 6–7, 2007  | Charleston Area Convention Center[14] | 23
Miami, Florida[15] | August 22, 2007  | American Airlines Arena | September 29–30, 2007  | JW Marriott Hotel[16] | 17
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania[17] | August 27, 2007  | Wachovia Center | September 1–2, 2007  | Hyatt Regency[18] | 29
Total number of tickets to Hollywood  | 164

Contestants were required to be between the ages of 16 and 28 on July 28, 2007, and eligible to work in the United States. Those ineligible included former contestants who had previously reached the semifinals of the first through third seasons, or the last phase of the Hollywood round of the fourth through sixth seasons, those holding recording or management contracts, or those who were not U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

## Hollywood week

[edit]

The Hollywood week took place at the Pasadena Civic Center in Pasadena, California, over a period of five days. A total of 164 contestants were invited from the seven audition cities. This year, the process was altered slightly to ensure that no talent would be prematurely dismissed, and there are no group performances. The contestants performed at least two songs during this round.

The first round of individual performances lasted two days. For the first time ever, contestants had the option of either being accompanied by the band or playing an instrument themselves, such as a keyboard, guitar, or drums. If the judges approved of the contestants' performances, they received a "free pass," exempting them from having to perform in the second round. Unlike previous seasons, contestants whose performances were not considered good enough were afforded a second chance rather than immediate elimination. They lined up on stage in groups of ten and each sang a short segment of a song a cappella. After each group had performed, the judges eliminated about 100 contestants.

In the final round, the remaining contestants individually performed a song chosen from a provided list of songs, accompanied by the band and three backup singers. After each performance, the judges decided the contestant's fate; 50 contestants emerged after this round ended. The judges then deliberated further on who should be in the top 24, and their decision was revealed the next day.

One of the more prominent contestants during the Hollywood week was Josiah Leming, whose unhappiness with the backing band resulted in him dismissing the band. He was ultimately eliminated. Another piece of drama involved contestant Kyle Ensley, when Simon Cowell voiced strong objection over him not being selected for the semifinals. His non-selection was later revealed to have resulted in serious rift between Cowell and the show producer Nigel Lythgoe.[19]

## Semifinals

[edit]

The live show portion of the semifinals began on February 19, 2008. Similar to the previous three seasons, the women and men performed on separate shows, and then on the result shows, the bottom two contestants from each group were eliminated from the competition. The semifinals took place over three weeks, resulting in six males and six females being eliminated, leaving the other six to form the top 12. The men performed on the first night, and the ladies the next night.

Color key:

This contestant was safe.

This contestant was eliminated.

### Top 24 – Music from the 1960s

[edit]

Contestants are listed in the order they performed.

Top 24 - male contestants (February 19)  | Contestant  | Song  | Result

|
|

David Hernandez | "In the Midnight Hour"  | Safe
Chikezie | "More Today Than Yesterday"  | Safe
David Cook | "Happy Together"  | Safe
Jason Yeager  | "Moon River"  | Safe
Robbie Carrico  | "One"  | Safe
David Archuleta | "Shop Around"  | Safe
Dani Noriega (AKA Adore Delano) | "Jailhouse Rock"  | Safe
Luke Menard  | "Everybody's Talkin'"  | Safe
Colton Berry  | "Suspicious Minds"  | Eliminated
Garrett Haley  | "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do"  | Eliminated
Jason Castro | "Daydream"  | Safe
Michael Johns | "Light My Fire"  | Safe
Top 24 - female contestants (February 20)  | Contestant  | Song  | Result

|
|

Kristy Lee Cook | "Rescue Me"  | Safe
Joanne Borgella | "I Say a Little Prayer"  | Eliminated
Alaina Whitaker  | "More Today Than Yesterday"  | Safe
Amanda Overmyer | "Baby, Please Don't Go"  | Safe
Amy Davis  | "Where the Boys Are"  | Eliminated
Brooke White | "Happy Together"  | Safe
Alexandréa Lushington  | "Spinning Wheel"  | Safe
Kady Malloy  | "A Groovy Kind of Love"  | Safe
Asia'h Epperson | "Piece of My Heart"  | Safe
Ramiele Malubay | "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me"  | Safe
Syesha Mercado | "Tobacco Road"  | Safe
Carly Smithson | "The Shadow of Your Smile"  | Safe
Non-competition performance  Performers  | Song

|

Top 24  | 1960s medley:
"Needles and Pins"
"When You Walk in the Room"
"Spanish Harlem"
"Bend Me, Shape Me"
Paula Abdul &
Randy Jackson | "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow"

### Top 20 – Music from the 1970s

[edit]

Contestants are listed in the order they performed.

Top 20 - male contestants (February 26)  | Contestant  | Song  | Result

|
|

Michael Johns  | "Go Your Own Way"  | Safe
Jason Castro  | "I Just Want to Be Your Everything"  | Safe
Luke Menard  | "Killer Queen"  | Safe
Robbie Carrico  | "Hot Blooded"  | Eliminated
Danny Noriega  | "Superstar"  | Safe
David Hernandez  | "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone"  | Safe
Jason Yeager  | "Long Train Runnin'"  | Eliminated
Chikezie  | "I Believe to My Soul"  | Safe
David Cook  | "All Right Now"  | Safe
David Archuleta  | "Imagine"  | Safe
Top 20 - female contestants (February 27)  | Contestant  | Song  | Result

|
|

Carly Smithson  | "Crazy on You"  | Safe
Syesha Mercado  | "Me and Mrs. Jones"  | Safe
Brooke White  | "You're So Vain"  | Safe
Ramiele Malubay  | "Don't Leave Me This Way"  | Safe
Kristy Lee Cook  | "You're No Good"  | Safe
Amanda Overmyer  | "Carry On Wayward Son"  | Safe
Alaina Whitaker  | "Hopelessly Devoted to You"  | Eliminated
Alexandréa Lushington  | "If You Leave Me Now"  | Eliminated
Kady Malloy  | "Magic Man"  | Safe
Asia'h Epperson  | "All by Myself"  | Safe
Non-competition performance  Performers  | Song

|

Top 20  | 1970s medley:
"I Saw the Light"
"It's a Heartache"
"The Things We Do for Love"
"I Feel the Earth Move"

### Top 16 – Music from the 1980s

[edit]

Contestants are listed in the order they performed.

Top 16 - male contestants (March 4)  | Contestant  | Song  | Result

|
|

Luke Menard  | "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go"  | Eliminated
David Archuleta  | "Another Day in Paradise"  | Safe
Danny Noriega  | "Tainted Love"  | Eliminated
David Hernandez  | "It's All Coming Back to Me Now"  | Safe
Michael Johns  | "Don't You (Forget About Me)"  | Safe
David Cook  | "Hello"  | Safe
Jason Castro  | "Hallelujah"  | Safe
Chikezie  | "All the Man That I Need"  | Safe
Top 16 - female contestants (March 5)  | Contestant  | Song  | Result

|
|

Asia'h Epperson  | "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)"  | Eliminated
Kady Malloy  | "Who Wants to Live Forever"  | Eliminated
Amanda Overmyer  | "I Hate Myself for Loving You"  | Safe
Carly Smithson  | "I Drove All Night"  | Safe
Kristy Lee Cook  | "Faithfully"  | Safe
Ramiele Malubay  | "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)"  | Safe
Brooke White  | "Love Is a Battlefield"  | Safe
Syesha Mercado  | "Saving All My Love for You"  | Safe
Non-competition performance  Performers  | Song

|

Blake Lewis | "How Many Words"

## Top 12 finalists

[edit]

From left to right: David Cook, David Archuleta, Syesha Mercado, Jason Castro, Brooke White, and Carly Smithson

From left to right: Kristy Lee Cook, Michael Johns, Ramiele Malubay, Chikezie, Amanda Overmyer, and David Hernandez

* David Cook (born December 20, 1982, in Houston, Texas; 24 years old at the time of the show) was a native of Blue Springs, Missouri, who auditioned in Omaha with Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer." His Hollywood performance of Bryan Adams's "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" did not impress Simon Cowell, but his second performance, Edwin McCain's "I'll Be," did.
* David Archuleta (born December 28, 1990, in Miami, Florida; 16 years old at the time of the show) was from Murray, Utah, and auditioned in San Diego with John Mayer's "Waiting on the World to Change." He impressed the judges with his performance of Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" and Bryan Adams's "Heaven" in Hollywood.
* Syesha Mercado (born January 2, 1987, in Bridgeport, Connecticut; 21 years old at the time of the show) was from Sarasota, Florida, and auditioned in Miami with Aretha Franklin's "Think." In Hollywood, she became ill and almost lost her voice. In preparation for her final Hollywood performance with Aretha Franklin's "Chain of Fools," she went on voice rest and wrote down everything she had to say on a pad of paper.
* Jason Castro (born March 25, 1987; 20 years old at the time of the show) was from Rockwall, Texas, and auditioned in Dallas with Keith Urban's "Once in a Lifetime" and Ray LaMontagne's "Crazy."
* Brooke White (born June 2, 1983, in Mesa, Arizona; 24 years old at the time of the show) was from Van Nuys, California, and auditioned in Philadelphia with Corinne Bailey Rae's "Like a Star." She performed Carole King's "Beautiful" in Hollywood.
* Carly Smithson (born as Carly Hennessy on September 12, 1983, in Dublin, Ireland; 24 years old at the time of the show) was a professional singer from San Diego, California. She had originally auditioned in Las Vegas during the show's fifth season, but was dropped from the show due to a problem with her visa. She auditioned in San Diego with Whitney Houston's "I'm Every Woman," and performed Leo Sayer's "When I Need You" and Heart's "Alone" in Hollywood.
* Kristy Lee Cook (born January 18, 1984; 24 years old at the time of the show) was from Selma, Oregon, and auditioned in Philadelphia, where she sang "Amazing Grace," a song she also performed in Hollywood.
* Michael Johns (born as Michael Lee on October 20, 1978, in Perth, Australia; 29 years old at the time of the show) auditioned in San Diego with Otis Redding's "I've Been Loving You Too Long." In Hollywood, he performed The Doors' "Light My Fire," but it was his performance of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" that was one of the highlights.
* Ramiele Malubay (born September 6, 1987, in Saudi Arabia;[20] 20 years old at the time of the show) was from Miramar, Florida, and auditioned in Miami with Aretha Franklin's "Natural Woman." She performed Aretha Franklin's "Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)" and The Kiki Dee Band's "I've Got the Music in Me" in Hollywood.
* Chikezie (born as Chikezie Eze on September 11, 1985, in Inglewood, California; 22 years old at the time of the show) auditioned in San Diego with Luther Vandross' "All the Woman I Need." He had previously auditioned during the show's sixth season, and made it to Hollywood, but was cut before the top 44.
* Amanda Overmyer (born October 26, 1984; 23 years old at the time of the show) was from Mulberry, Indiana, and auditioned in Atlanta with Janis Joplin's "Turtle Blues" and Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Travelin' Band." She performed The Doors' "Light My Fire" in Hollywood.
* David Hernandez (born May 31, 1983, in Glendale, Arizona; 24 years old at the time of the show) was from Glendale, Arizona, and auditioned with The Temptations' "Ain't Too Proud to Beg." He performed Stephen Stills's "Love the One You're With" in Hollywood.

## Finals

[edit]

There were eleven weeks of finals with twelve contestants competing. One contestant was eliminated every week based on the public's votes.

Color key:

This contestant was saved by America's vote.

This contestant was in the bottom two or three, but was saved by America's vote.

This contestant was eliminated.

This contestant won American Idol.

This contestant was the runner-up.

### Top 12 – Lennon–McCartney

[edit]

Contestants performed one song each from the Lennon–McCartney discography, and are listed in the order they performed.

Contestant  | Lennon–McCartney song  | Result

|
|

Syesha Mercado  | "Got to Get You into My Life"  | Bottom three
Chikezie  | "She's a Woman"  | Safe
Ramiele Malubay  | "In My Life"  | Safe
Jason Castro  | "If I Fell"  | Safe
Carly Smithson  | "Come Together"  | Safe
David Cook  | "Eleanor Rigby"  | Safe
Brooke White  | "Let It Be"  | Safe
David Hernandez  | "I Saw Her Standing There"  | Eliminated
Amanda Overmyer  | "You Can't Do That"  | Safe
Michael Johns  | "Across the Universe"  | Safe
Kristy Lee Cook  | "Eight Days a Week"  | Bottom two
David Archuleta  | "We Can Work It Out"  | Safe
Non-competition performance  Performers  | Song

|

Top 12  | Beatles medley:
"All My Loving"
"I Feel Fine"
"Can't Buy Me Love"
"Help!"
Katharine McPhee
& David Foster | "Something"

### Top 11 – The Beatles

[edit]

Contestants performed one song each from the Beatles discography, and are listed in the order they performed.

Contestant  | Beatles song  | Result

|
|

Amanda Overmyer  | "Back in the U.S.S.R."  | Eliminated
Kristy Lee Cook  | "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away"  | Bottom two
David Archuleta  | "The Long and Winding Road"  | Safe
Michael Johns  | "A Day in the Life"  | Safe
Brooke White  | "Here Comes the Sun"  | Safe
David Cook  | "Day Tripper"  | Safe
Carly Smithson  | "Blackbird"  | Bottom three
Jason Castro  | "Michelle"  | Safe
Syesha Mercado  | "Yesterday"  | Safe
Chikezie  | "I've Just Seen a Face"  | Safe
Ramiele Malubay  | "I Should Have Known Better"  | Safe
Non-competition performance  Performers  | Song

|

Top 11  | Beatles medley:
"While My Guitar Gently Weeps"
"Here, There and Everywhere"
"Because"
"The End"
Kellie Pickler | "Red High Heels"

### Top 10 – Contestants' birth year

[edit]

Contestants each performed one song from the year they were born, and are listed in the order they performed.

Contestant  | Song  | Birth year  | Result

|
|
|

Ramiele Malubay  | "Alone"  | 1987  | Safe
Jason Castro  | "Fragile"  | 1987  | Bottom three
Syesha Mercado  | "If I Were Your Woman"  | 1987  | Bottom two
Chikezie  | "If Only for One Night"  | 1985  | Eliminated
Brooke White  | "Every Breath You Take"  | 1983  | Safe
Michael Johns  | "We Will Rock You" & "We Are the Champions"  | 1978  | Safe
Carly Smithson  | "Total Eclipse of the Heart"  | 1983  | Safe
David Archuleta  | "You're the Voice"  | 1990  | Safe
Kristy Lee Cook  | "God Bless the U.S.A."  | 1984  | Safe
David Cook  | "Billie Jean"  | 1982  | Safe
Non-competition performance  Performers  | Song

|

Top 10  | "Right Back Where We Started From"
Kimberley Locke | "Fall"

### Top 9 – Dolly Parton

[edit]

Dolly Parton served as a guest mentor this week. Contestants performed one song each from her discography, and are listed in the order they performed.

Contestant  | Dolly Parton song  | Result

|
|

Brooke White  | "Jolene"  | Bottom three
David Cook  | "Little Sparrow"  | Safe
Ramiele Malubay  | "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind"  | Eliminated
Jason Castro  | "Travelin' Thru"  | Safe
Carly Smithson  | "Here You Come Again"  | Safe
David Archuleta  | "Smoky Mountain Memories"  | Safe
Kristy Lee Cook  | "Coat of Many Colors"  | Bottom two
Syesha Mercado  | "I Will Always Love You"  | Safe
Michael Johns  | "It's All Wrong, But It's All Right"  | Safe
Non-competition performance  Performers  | Song

|

Top 9  | "9 to 5"
The Clark Brothers | "This Little Light of Mine"
Dolly Parton | "Jesus and Gravity"

### Top 8 – Inspirational music

[edit]

Contestants are listed in the order they performed.

Contestant  | Song  | Result

|
|

Michael Johns  | "Dream On"  | Eliminated
Syesha Mercado  | "I Believe"  | Bottom three
Jason Castro  | "Over the Rainbow"  | Safe
Kristy Lee Cook  | "Anyway"  | Safe
David Cook  | "Innocent"  | Safe
Carly Smithson  | "The Show Must Go On"  | Bottom three
David Archuleta  | "Angels"  | Safe
Brooke White  | "You've Got a Friend"  | Safe
Non-competition performance  Performers  | Song

|

Top 8  | "Shout to the Lord"
Jordin Sparks & Chris Brown | "No Air"

### Top 7 – Mariah Carey

[edit]

Mariah Carey served as a guest mentor this week. Contestants performed one song each from her discography, and are listed in the order they performed.

Contestant  | Mariah Carey song  | Result

|
|

David Archuleta  | "When You Believe" | Safe
Carly Smithson  | "Without You"  | Safe
Syesha Mercado  | "Vanishing"  | Bottom three
Brooke White  | "Hero"  | Bottom two
Kristy Lee Cook  | "Forever"  | Eliminated
David Cook  | "Always Be My Baby"  | Safe
Jason Castro  | "I Don't Wanna Cry"  | Safe
Non-competition performance  Performers  | Song

|

Top 7  | "One Sweet Day"
Elliott Yamin | "Free"
Mariah Carey | "Bye Bye"

### Top 6 – Andrew Lloyd Webber

[edit]

Andrew Lloyd Webber served as a guest mentor this week. Contestants performed one song each from one of his musicals, and are listed in the order they performed.

Contestant  | Song  | Musical  | Result

|
|
|

Syesha Mercado  | "One Rock & Roll Too Many"  | Starlight Express | Bottom two
Jason Castro  | "Memory"  | Cats | Safe
Brooke White  | "You Must Love Me"  | Evita | Safe
David Archuleta  | "Think of Me"  | The Phantom of the Opera | Safe
Carly Smithson  | "Superstar"  | Jesus Christ Superstar | Eliminated
David Cook  | "The Music of the Night"  | The Phantom of the Opera | Safe
Non-competition performance  Performers  | Song

|

Top 6  | "All I Ask of You"
from The Phantom of the Opera
Leona Lewis | "Bleeding Love"

### Top 5 – Neil Diamond

[edit]

Neil Diamond served as a guest mentor this week. Contestants performed two songs each from his discography, and are listed in the order they performed.

Contestant  | Order  | Neil Diamond song  | Result

|
|
|

Jason Castro  | 1  | "Forever in Blue Jeans"  | Safe
6  | "September Morn"
David Cook  | 2  | "I'm Alive"  | Safe
7  | "All I Really Need Is You"
Brooke White  | 3  | "I'm a Believer"  | Eliminated
8  | "I Am...I Said"
David Archuleta  | 4  | "Sweet Caroline"  | Safe
9  | "America"
Syesha Mercado  | 5  | "Hello Again"  | Safe
10  | "Thank the Lord for the Night Time"
Non-competition performance  Performers  | Song

|

Top 5  | Neil Diamond medley:
"Cracklin' Rosie"
"Song Sung Blue"
"Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show"
Natasha Bedingfield | "Pocketful of Sunshine"
Neil Diamond | "Pretty Amazing Grace"

### Top 4 – Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

[edit]

Contestants performed two songs, and are listed in the order they performed.

Contestant  | Order  | Rock and roll song  | Result

|
|
|

David Cook  | 1  | "Hungry Like the Wolf"  | Safe
5  | "Baba O'Riley"
Syesha Mercado  | 2  | "Proud Mary"  | Safe
6  | "A Change Is Gonna Come"
Jason Castro  | 3  | "I Shot the Sheriff"  | Eliminated
7  | "Mr. Tambourine Man"
David Archuleta  | 4  | "Stand by Me"  | Safe
8  | "Love Me Tender"
Non-competition performance  Performers  | Song

|

Top 4  | "Reelin' In the Years"
Maroon 5 | "If I Never See Your Face Again"
Bo Bice | "Witness"

### Top 3

[edit]

Each contestant performed three songs: one chosen by one of the judges, one chosen by the producers, and one chosen by the contestant. Contestants are listed in the order they performed.

Contestant  | Order  | Song  | Result

|
|
|

David Archuleta  | 1  | "And So It Goes"[a] | Safe
4  | "With You"
7  | "Longer"
Syesha Mercado  | 2  | "If I Ain't Got You"[b] | Eliminated
5  | "Fever"
8  | "Hit Me Up
David Cook  | 3  | "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"[c] | Safe
6  | "Dare You to Move"
9  | "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing"
Non-competition performance  Performers  | Song

|

Top 3  | "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now"
Fantasia | "Bore Me (Yawn)"

1. ^ Song chosen by Paula Abdul.
2. ^ Song chosen by Randy Jackson.
3. ^ Song chosen by Simon Cowell.

### Top 2 – Finale

[edit]

Each contestant performed three songs, and are listed in the order they performed. David Archuletha won the coin toss after the results show the prior week, and chose to perform last.

Contestant  | Order  | Song  | Result

|
|
|

David Cook  | 1  | "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For"[a] | Winner
3  | "Dream Big"
5  | "The World I Know"
David Archuleta  | 2  | "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me"[a] | Runner-up
4  | "In This Moment"
6  | "Imagine"

1. ^ a b Song chosen by Clive Davis.

Non-competition performance  Performers  | Song

|

Ruben Studdard | "Celebrate Me Home"
Top 12  | "Get Ready"
David Cook & David Archuleta | "Hero"
Syesha Mercado
with Seal | "Waiting for You"
Jason Castro | "Hallelujah"
Top 12 women
with Donna Summer | "She Works Hard for the Money"
"Hot Stuff"
"Stamp Your Feet"
"Last Dance"
Carly Smithson & Michael Johns | "The Letter"
Top 12 men
with Bryan Adams | "Summer of '69"
"Heaven"
"I Thought I'd Seen Everything"
"Somebody"
David Cook
with ZZ Top | "Sharp Dressed Man"
Brooke White
with Graham Nash | "Teach Your Children"
Jonas Brothers | "S.O.S"
Renaldo Lapuz | "We're Brothers Forever"
David Archuleta
with OneRepublic | "Apologize"
Jordin Sparks | "One Step at a Time"
Gladys Knight | "Midnight Train to Georgia"
Carrie Underwood | "Last Name"
Top 12
with George Michael | "Faith"
"Father Figure"
"Freedom"
"Praying for Time"
David Cook | "The Time of My Life"

## Elimination chart

[edit]

Color key:

Winner

Runner-up

Saved by the public

Bottom two or three

Eliminated

American Idol (season 7) - Eliminations  Contestant  | Pl. | Semifinals  | Top 12  | Top 11  | Top 10  | Top 9  | Top 8  | Top 7  | Top 6  | Top 5  | Top 4  | Top 3  | Finale

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

2/21  | 2/28  | 3/6  | 3/13  | 3/20  | 3/27  | 4/2  | 4/10[a] | 4/16  | 4/23  | 4/30  | 5/7  | 5/14  | 5/21
David Cook | 1  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Winner
David Archuleta | 2  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Runner-up
Syesha Mercado | 3  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Bottom three  | Safe  | Bottom two  | Safe  | Bottom three  | Bottom three  | Bottom two  | Safe  | Safe  | Eliminated  |
Jason Castro | 4  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Bottom three  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Eliminated  |
Brooke White | 5  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Bottom three  | Safe  | Bottom two  | Safe  | Eliminated  |
Carly Smithson | 6  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Bottom three  | Safe  | Safe  | Bottom three  | Safe  | Eliminated  |
Kristy Lee Cook | 7  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Bottom two  | Bottom two  | Safe  | Bottom two  | Safe  | Eliminated  |
Michael Johns | 8  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Eliminated  |
Ramiele Malubay | 9  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Eliminated  |
Chikezie | 10  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Eliminated  |
Amanda Overmyer | 11  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Eliminated  |
David Hernandez | 12  | Safe  | Safe  | Safe  | Eliminated  |
Asia'h Epperson |  | Safe  | Safe  | Eliminated  |
Kady Malloy  | Safe  | Safe
Luke Menard  | Safe  | Safe
Danny Noriega | Safe  | Safe
Robbie Carrico  | Safe  | Eliminated  |
Alexandréa Lushington  | Safe
Alaina Whitaker  | Safe
Jason Yeager  | Safe
Colton Berry  | Eliminated  |
Joanne Borgella
Amy Davis
Garrett Haley

1. ^ The top 8 results show was moved to Thursday, April 10, due to the Idol Gives Back special airing in the show's regular Wednesday timeslot.

## Idol Gives Back

[edit]

Main article: Idol Gives Back

The Idol Gives Back initiative returned on April 9, 2008. Again, proceeds went to children's charities in Africa and the United States. Unlike Idol Gives Back 2007, where no contestant was eliminated, Michael Johns was eliminated during Idol Gives Back 2008.

## Controversies

[edit]

Carly Smithson stirred up controversy due to a prior major label record deal she had with MCA Records. To further complicate things, Randy Jackson worked for MCA during the same period of time that Smithson was signed. The media noted that several of the other season 7 semifinalists had previously also had record deals, including Kristy Lee Cook, Brooke White, and Michael Johns. According to a poll conducted by AOL Television, 63 percent of those polled believed that contestants who already had record deals should not be contestants on American Idol,[21] however, Idol rules stated that contestants were eligible so long as they were no longer under contract when Idol began, regardless of any past contracts.

On the April 29 show, the five remaining contestants each sang two songs. Diverting from the usual format due to time constraints, the judges' critiques were to be bundled until after both songs were performed. However, after the first round had finished, host Ryan Seacrest asked for comments, and judge Paula Abdul, in discussing Jason Castro, delivered feedback on his second song before he had actually performed it. This led to speculation that the show was scripted or rigged.[22] The next day, Abdul claimed on Seacrest's radio show that she listened to the performances in rehearsal and in the rushed atmosphere of the show was confused and thought she was supposed to critique both.[23]

## Releases

[edit]

### iTunes

[edit]

During season 7, American Idol partnered with iTunes to make available for sale exclusive performance videos, live performance singles of the semifinalists, and full-length studio recordings of the songs that contestants performed on the show. In order to keep the competition fair, these singles were not allowed to appear on iTunes sales charts until after the finale. The contestants' performances during the season were removed soon after the finale.

The winning song, "The Time of My Life", was recorded by David Cook and released on May 22, 2008. The song was certified platinum by the RIAA on December 12, 2008.[24] It was the first winner's song to not be performed during the competition as the top 2 each selected a different song from a list of ten entries in song-writing competition to perform instead. Cook performed "The Time of My Life" after Ryan Seacrest had announced him as the winner.

### Post-Idol

[edit]

David Cook's debut album was released on November 18, 2008, on 19 Recordings / RCA Records and was certified platinum by the RIAA on January 22, 2009.[24] Cook teamed with Grammy winning producer Rob Cavallo (Green Day, Kid Rock) on the album. A single from the album, "Light On," was released and peaked at 20 on the Billboard Hot 100.[25] His sophomore album, This Loud Morning, was released on June 28, 2011.

David Archuleta signed with Jive Records and his self-titled debut album was released on November 11, 2008, and debuted at number two. Archuleta's album certified gold. Archuleta's first single, "Crush," debuted at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Hot Digital Songs chart, giving it the highest single debut of 2008 and the highest single debut in 18 months. The song has sold 1.9 million copies as of January 2009.[26]

## U.S. Nielsen ratings

[edit]

Season 7 of American Idol overall was the most watched primetime program in the United States for the fourth consecutive year, during the conclusion of the 2007–2008 television season. The Tuesday episode viewership averaged 27.665 million while the Wednesday episode averaged 26.843 million, taking the top 2 spots for the season.[27] The show helped Fox become the most watched overall television network in the U.S. for the first time in its history (as well as a record first for a non-Big Three major network in American television history), and lead the 18–49 demographic ratings with still-standing largest ever margin since the introduction of the people meter technology in the Nielsen nationwide television tallies during the 1985–1986 television season.[28]

Episode list

| Show  | Episode  | Air date  | Week
rank  | Rating/Share  | 18–49
rating/Share  | Viewers
(millions)

|
|
|
|
|
|

1  | "Philadelphia Auditions"[29] | January 15, 2008  | 3  | 17.7 / 26  | 13.8 / 32  | 33.415
2  | "Dallas Auditions"[29] | January 16, 2008  | 4  | 16.7 / 25  | 12.6 / 30  | 30.437
3  | "San Diego Auditions"[30] | January 22, 2008  | 1  | 16.2 / 24  | 11.8 / 29  | 29.274
4  | "Charleston Auditions"[30] | January 23, 2008  | 2  | 15.1 / 23  | 10.9 / 28  | 27.091
5  | "Omaha Auditions"[31] | January 29, 2008  | 4  | 15.7 / 24  | 11.1 / 28  | 28.223
6  | "Miami Auditions"[31] | January 30, 2008  | 5  | 14.4 / 22  | 10.1 / 26  | 25.573
7  | "Atlanta Auditions"[32] | February 5, 2008  | 1  | 15.7 / 23  | 11.2 / 28  | 27.914
8  | "Best of the Rest"[32] | February 6, 2008  | 2  | 14.6 / 23  | 10.5 / 26  | 26.278
9  | "Hollywood Round, Part 1"[33] | February 12, 2008  | 1  | 16.6 / 25  | 12.3 / 29  | 29.962
10  | "Hollywood Round, Part 2"[33] | February 13, 2008  | 2  | 14.3 / 22  | 9.8 / 26  | 24.752
11  | "Top 12 Men Perform"[34] | February 19, 2008  | 2  | 16.4 / 25  | 11.3 / 27  | 29.006
12  | "Top 12 Women Perform"[34] | February 20, 2008  | 3  | 16.1 / 24  | 11.2 / 27  | 28.885
13  | "Top 24 Results"[34] | February 21, 2008  | 4  | 13.4 / 21  | 8.5 / 22  | 23.374
14  | "Top 10 Men Perform"[35] | February 26, 2008  | 1  | 16.0 / 24  | 11.1 / 27  | 28.592
15  | "Top 10 Women Perform"[35] | February 27, 2008  | 2  | 15.7 / 24  | 10.5 / 27  | 27.553
16  | "Top 20 Results"[35] | February 28, 2008  | 3  | 14.9 / 23  | 9.1 / 24  | 26.232
17  | "Top 8 Men Perform"[36] | March 4, 2008  | 1  | 15.9 / 24  | 10.6 / 26  | 28.463
18  | "Top 8 Women Perform"[36] | March 5, 2008  | 2  | 16.0 / 25  | 10.4 / 27  | 28.324
19  | "Top 12 Revealed"[36] | March 6, 2008  | 3  | 15.0 / 23  | 9.4 / 24  | 26.502
20  | "Top 12 Perform"[37] | March 11, 2008  | 1  | 16.9 / 26  | 11.0 / 28  | 29.884
21  | "Top 12 Results"[37] | March 12, 2008  | 2  | 15.8 / 24  | 10.3 / 26  | 27.127
22  | "Top 11 Perform"[38] | March 18, 2008  | 1  | 15.2 / 23  | 10.4 / 26  | 27.338
23  | "Top 11 Results"[38] | March 19, 2008  | 2  | 15.3 / 24  | 9.8 / 25  | 26.078
24  | "Top 10 Perform"[39] | March 25, 2008  | 2  | 14.0 / 21  | 9.7 / 25  | 24.758
25  | "Top 10 Results"[39] | March 26, 2008  | 1  | 15.2 / 24  | 9.8 / 25  | 25.742
26  | "Top 9 Perform"[40] | April 1, 2008  | 1  | 14.7 / 23  | 9.6 / 26  | 26.117
27  | "Top 9 Results"[40] | April 2, 2008  | 2  | 14.8 / 22  | 9.4 / 23  | 24.839
28  | "Top 8 Perform"[41] | April 8, 2008  | 1  | 14.2 / 22  | 9.2 / 24  | 24.668
29  | "Idol Gives Back"[41] | April 9, 2008  | 6  | 10.4 / 16  | 6.8 / 18  | 17.751
30  | "Top 8 Results"[41] | April 10, 2008  | 2  | 12.0 / 19  | 7.0 / 19  | 20.133
31  | "Top 7 Perform"[42] | April 15, 2008  | 1  | 13.9 / 22  | 8.8 / 23  | 23.646
32  | "Top 7 Results"[42] | April 16, 2008  | 2  | 13.4 / 21  | 8.8 / 22  | 23.339
33  | Top 6 Perform"[43] | April 22, 2008  | 1  | 14.2 / 22  | 9.0 / 25  | 24.740
34  | "Top 6 Results"[43] | April 23, 2008  | 2  | 13.7 / 21  | 8.6 / 21  | 23.196
35  | "Top 5 Perform"[44] | April 29, 2008  | 1  | 14.5 / 23  | 9.0 / 24  | 25.094
36  | "Top 5 Results"[44] | April 30, 2008  | 2  | 13.6 / 21  | 8.4 / 21  | 22.800
37  | "Top 4 Perform"[45] | May 6, 2008  | 2  | 12.6 / 20  | 8.4 / 23  | 21.755
38  | "Top 4 Results"[45] | May 7, 2008  | 1  | 13.9 / 21  | 8.2 / 21  | 22.867
39  | "Top 3 Perform"[46] | May 13, 2008  | 2  | 14.4 / 23  | 9.0 / 25  | 24.772
40  | "Top 3 Results"[46] | May 14, 2008  | 1  | 14.6 / 22  | 9.2 / 22  | 24.863
41  | "Top 2 Perform"[47] | May 20, 2008  | 2  | 15.1 / 24  | 10.1 / 28  | 27.061
42  | Season 7 Finale"[47] | May 21, 2008  | 1  | 17.7 / 28  | 11.4 / 30  | 31.661

## See also

[edit]

* American Idols LIVE! Tour 2008

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Stransky, Tanner (July 25, 2007). "Idol producer: We made mistakes | American Idol | TCA Press Tour | TV | Entertainment Weekly". Ew.com. Archived from the original on February 27, 2010. Retrieved August 25, 2010.
2. ^ Wyatt, Edward (January 14, 2008). "The Return of 'Idol,' Confident in Season 7". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 16, 2009. Retrieved December 24, 2008.
3. ^ "Moldova.org – Music – News – "American Idol" season 7 Auditions begin July 30 in San Diego". Archived from the original on May 12, 2008. Retrieved August 25, 2010.
4. ^ Wilkens, John (July 30, 2007). "Thousands audition in S.D. for 'American Idol'". Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on December 27, 2008.
5. ^ "Stars pass judgment during tryouts at hotel". Archived from the original on September 21, 2012. Retrieved September 7, 2011.
6. ^ "Singers swarm Dallas for 'Idol' auditions". Today.com. Associated Press. August 6, 2007.
7. ^ "'American Idol' auditions continue at W Hotel". Archived from the original on September 1, 2011. Retrieved September 7, 2011.
8. ^ Stickney, Dane; Proskocil, Niz (August 9, 2007). "'Idol' audition crowd thins out in the afternoon". Omaha World Herald. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012.
9. ^ "'American Idol' camera crews hitting Omaha streets today". Omaha World-Herald. October 4, 2007. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
10. ^ "Disqualified Brittenum twins return for 'American Idol 7' auditi". Archived from the original on September 7, 2011. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
11. ^ "American Idol- Back in Atlanta". October 12, 2007. Archived from the original on April 2, 2012. Retrieved September 7, 2011.
12. ^ "American Idol takes center stage at GICC" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 2, 2012. Retrieved September 7, 2011.
13. ^ "American Idol Auditions – Charleston, SC". Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
14. ^ Fame, we're gonna live forever
15. ^ "Not What They're Looking For – American Idol Tryouts". Archived from the original on June 15, 2012. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
16. ^ "Making Miami Their Own". Archived from the original on June 1, 2008. Retrieved September 8, 2011.
17. ^ "'American Idol' to hold auditions in Philly". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
18. ^ "Philly fails to wow 'Idol' judges". Philly.com. September 1, 2007. Archived from the original on January 19, 2008. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
19. ^ "American Idol: Journalist Richard Rushfield Pens "Idol" Tell-All Book". Archived from the original on January 24, 2011. Retrieved February 8, 2011.
20. ^ Rocchio (March 8, 2008). "'American Idol' cuts final four semifinalists, reveals Top 12 finalists". Reality TV World. Archived from the original on July 6, 2008. Retrieved March 8, 2008.
21. ^ Serjeant, Jill (May 19, 2008). "Underwood most popular "Idol," Castro overrated". Reuters. Archived from the original on June 21, 2009. Retrieved July 2, 2017.
22. ^ "Abdul makes gaffe on US Idol show". BBC News. April 30, 2008. Archived from the original on May 5, 2008. Retrieved April 30, 2008.
23. ^ Vary, Adam B (April 30, 2008). "Paulagate 2008: Ms. Abdul does some 'splaining on Ryan Seacrest's radio show". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on May 1, 2008. Retrieved April 30, 2008.
24. ^ a b "American single certifications – David Cook – Time of My Life". Recording Industry Association of America.
25. ^ Marnie September (2008). http://www.americanidol.com/news/view/?pid=1413 Archived May 22, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
26. ^ "Idol Chatter 2009-01-28". Blogs.usatoday.com. August 20, 2010. Archived from the original on April 2, 2009. Retrieved August 25, 2010.
27. ^ Final 2007-8 Season Top TV Shows By Viewers Archived March 10, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
28. ^ It's official: Yes, Fox wins the season Archived May 28, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
29. ^ a b tvbythenumbers Jan 23, 2008 Archived October 11, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
30. ^ a b Jan 29, 2008 Archived October 11, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
31. ^ a b tvbythenumbers Feb 5, 2008 Archived October 11, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
32. ^ a b tvbythenumbers Feb 12, 2008 Archived October 11, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
33. ^ a b tvbythenumbers Feb 20, 2008 Archived September 18, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
34. ^ a b c tvbythenumbers Feb 27, 2008 Archived March 24, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
35. ^ a b c TV by the numbers 03-04-2008 Archived October 24, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
36. ^ a b c TV by the numbers 03-11-2008 Archived October 6, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
37. ^ a b TV by the numbers 03-18-2008 Archived February 15, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
38. ^ a b TV by the numbers 03-25-2008 Archived August 17, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
39. ^ a b TV by the numbers 04-01-2008 Archived October 11, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
40. ^ a b TV by the numbers 04-08-2008 Archived October 11, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
41. ^ a b c TV by the numbers 04-15-2008 Archived October 11, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
42. ^ a b TV by the numbers 04-22-2008 Archived October 11, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
43. ^ a b TV by the numbers 04-29-2008 Archived October 11, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
44. ^ a b TV by the numbers 05-06-2008 Archived February 14, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
45. ^ a b TV by the numbers 05-13-2008 Archived February 25, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
46. ^ a b TV by the numbers 05-20-2008 Archived March 10, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
47. ^ a b TV by the numbers 05-28-2008 Archived October 11, 2012, at the Wayback Machine

## External links

[edit]

* Official American Idol Contestants Website
* American Idol at IMDb

* v
* t
* e

American Idol season 7

Finalists|

* David Cook
* David Archuleta
* Syesha Mercado
* Jason Castro
* Brooke White
* Carly Smithson
* Kristy Lee Cook
* Michael Johns
* Ramiele Malubay
* Chikezie
* Amanda Overmyer
* David Hernandez

Other Sources|

* Episode List
* Tour
* "The Time of My Life"

* v
* t
* e

American Idol

* Episodes
* Season 1
* 2
* 3
* 4
* 5
* 6
* 7
* 8
* 9
* 10
* 11
* 12
* 13
* 14
* 15
* 16
* 17
* 18
* 19
* 20
* 21
* 22

Finalists|

| Winners|

* Kelly Clarkson
* Ruben Studdard
* Fantasia Barrino
* Carrie Underwood
* Taylor Hicks
* Jordin Sparks
* David Cook
* Kris Allen
* Lee DeWyze
* Scotty McCreery
* Phillip Phillips
* Candice Glover
* Caleb Johnson
* Nick Fradiani
* Trent Harmon
* Maddie Poppe
* Laine Hardy
* Just Sam
* Chayce Beckham
* Noah Thompson
* Iam Tongi
* Abi Carter

|

Runners-up|

* Justin Guarini
* Clay Aiken
* Diana DeGarmo
* Bo Bice
* Katharine McPhee
* Blake Lewis
* David Archuleta
* Adam Lambert
* Crystal Bowersox
* Lauren Alaina
* Jessica Sanchez
* Kree Harrison
* Jena Irene
* Clark Beckham
* La'Porsha Renae
* Caleb Lee Hutchinson
* Alejandro Aranda
* Arthur Gunn
* Willie Spence
* HunterGirl
* Megan Danielle
* Will Moseley

Other alumni|

* Nikki McKibbin
* Josh Gracin
* Jennifer Hudson
* Lucky Daye
* Elliott Yamin
* Chris Daughtry
* Kellie Pickler
* Mandisa
* Danny Gokey
* Anoop Desai
* Felicia Barton
* Todrick Hall
* Tori Kelly
* Haley Reinhart
* Colton Dixon
* Monogem
* Angie Miller
* Daniel Seavey
* Gabby Barrett
* Catie Turner
* Lauren Spencer-Smith
* Benson Boone
* Cameron Whitcomb

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"
* "Home"
* "I Am Beautiful"
* "As Long as You Love Me"
* "Beautiful Life"
* "Falling"
* "Flame"
* "23"

Concert tours|

* 1
* 2
* 3
* 4
* 5
* 6
* 7
* 8
* 9
* 10
* 11
* 12
* 13
* 14
* 16

Related programming|

* Idol (franchise)
* American Juniors
* Idol Christmas
* Idol Extra
* Idol Gives Back
* Idol Rewind
* World Idol

Related articles|

* Alumni album sales
* Alumni awards and nominations
* Alumni in film, television and theater
* Alumni single sales
* Compilation series
* Controversies
* Discography
* Finalists
* Hot 100 singles
* "Judge Me Tender"
* The American Idol Experience
* Video game

* v
* t
* e

Nielsen Media Research top-rated United States network television show

1950s|

* 50–51: Texaco Star Theater
* 51–52: Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts
* 52–53, 53–54, 54–55: I Love Lucy
* 55–56: The $64,000 Question
* 56–57: I Love Lucy
* 57–58, 58–59, 59–60: Gunsmoke

1960s|

* 60–61: Gunsmoke
* 61–62: Wagon Train
* 62–63, 63–64: The Beverly Hillbillies (S1, S2)
* 64–65, 65–66, 66–67: Bonanza
* 67–68: The Andy Griffith Show (S8)
* 68–69, 69–70: Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In

1970s|

* 70–71: Marcus Welby, M.D.
* 71–72, 72–73, 73–74, 74–75, 75–76: All in the Family (S2, S3, S4, S5, S6)
* 76–77: Happy Days (S4)
* 77–78, 78–79: Laverne & Shirley (S3, S4)
* 79–80: 60 Minutes

1980s|

* 80–81, 81–82: Dallas (S4, S5)
* 82–83: 60 Minutes
* 83–84: Dallas (S7)
* 84–85: Dynasty
* 85–86, 86–87, 87–88, 88–89: The Cosby Show (S2, S3, S4, S5)
* 89–90: Roseanne (S2)/The Cosby Show (S6)

1990s|

* 90–91: Cheers (S9)
* 91–92, 92–93, 93–94: 60 Minutes
* 94–95: Seinfeld  (S6)
* 95–96, 96–97: ER (S2, S3)
* 97–98: Seinfeld (S9)
* 98–99: ER (S5)
* 99–2000: Who Wants to Be a Millionaire

2000s|

* 00–01: Survivor (S2-AO)
* 01–02: Friends (S8)
* 02–03, 03–04, 04–05,: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (S3, S4, S5)
* 05–06, 06–07, 07–08, 08–09, 09–10: American Idol (S5, S6, S7, S8, S9)

2010s|

* 10–11: American Idol (S10)
* 11–12: NBC Sunday Night Football
* 12–13: NCIS (S10)
* 13–14, 14–15, 15–16, 16–17: NBC Sunday Night Football
* 17–18: The Big Bang Theory (S11)
* 18–19, 19–20: NBC Sunday Night Football

2020s|

* 20–21, 21–22, 22–23: NBC Sunday Night Football

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