Los Angeles Auditions
E1
The talent contest opens its fifth season with open auditions in Los Angeles.
Dallas Auditions
E2
Open auditions are held in Dallas.
New York Auditions Day 1
E3
Season 5's open auditions continue.
New York Auditions Day 2
E4
Preliminary auditions continue.
Orlando Auditions Day 1
E5
Open auditions continue.
Orlando Auditions Day 2
E6
Open auditions continue.
Portland Auditions Day 1
E7
Disparate acts are featured in continuing preliminary auditions.
Portland Auditions Day 2
E8
Preliminary auditions continue.
Chicago Auditions
E9
Season 5's preliminary auditions continue.
Final Auditions
E10
Auditions continue.
Las Vegas Week - Day 1
E11
Contestants perform for the judges in Las Vegas in hopes of making it into the top 48.
Las Vegas Week - Day 2
E12
The stress spikes when judges Sharon Osbourne, Howie Mandel and Piers Morgan deliberate over which acts to select for a spot in the Top 48.
HOLLYWOOD, Part 1
E13
Performance showcases in Los Angeles kick off with 12 acts from the Top 48 taking the stage.
Result Show #1
E14
Four winning acts are selected for the sought-after Top 24 in a results edition.
HOLLYWOOD, Part 2
E15
Twelve acts from the Top 48 showcase their talents in the second week of performance shows.
Result Show #2
E16
Four acts advance to the Top 24 in a results installment. Cirque du Soleil perform the show "Kà," and the rock band Train sing "Hey, Soul Sister."
HOLLYWOOD, Part 3
E17
Twelve acts perform in the third week of showcases.
Result Show #3
E18
Four acts win a slot in the Top 24 in a results show. Singer-songwriter Mike Posner and hip-hop dance troupe JabbaWockeeZ perform.
HOLLYWOOD, Part 4
E19
Twelve acts from the Top 48 take the stage in the fourth week of performance showcases.
Result Show #4
E20
Four acts advance to the Top 24 in a results edition. Rocker Bret Michaels and British singer-songwriter Taio Cruz perform.
HOLLYWOOD, Part 5
E21
Twelve acts from YouTube perform in Hollywood.
Result Show #5
E22
Four acts from YouTube advance to the semifinal round.
Wild Card Show
E23
Twelve previously eliminated acts return to the contest and perform in a wild-card round.
Wild Card Show - Results
E24
Four wild-card acts advance to the semifinal round. Country songstress LeAnn Rimes and illusionist Criss Angel perform.
Semi-Final #1
E25
The semifinal round begins with 12 acts performing in a bid to break into the Top 10.
Semi-Final #1 - Results
E26
Five semifinal contestants win a position in the Top 10 in a results show. Jimmy Fallon and singer Kylie Minogue perform.
Semi-Final #2
E27
The semifinal round continues with 12 acts performing.
Semi-Final #2 - Results
E28
Five winning acts advance to the Top 10.
Top Ten - Performances
E29
The Top 10 acts perform in Hollywood in their quest to win a sought-after position in the final four. Enrique Iglesias performs "I Like It."
Top Ten - Results
E30
The final four acts are revealed. Sarah McLachlan sings "Forgiveness" and the cast of the stage show "American Idiot" performs.
THE FINAL
E31
In Season 5's penultimate episode, the remaining four acts perform in Hollywood for the final time.
The Winner Is...
E32
The winning act is revealed in the Season 5 finale, which features performances by an array of Las Vegas and Hollywood stars.