Season 8 begins as Simon, Paula and Randy are back to hear the auditions for this year's show.

The auditions continue from Kansas City.

More than 10,000 hardy performers braved extremely hot and muggy weather and turned out for auditions for Season 8 of American Idol in Louisville.

12,000 hardy auditioners turned out in torrential rain in Jacksonville, Florida to sing for the chance to be on season 8 of American Idol.

Thousands of hopeful auditioners streamed into Salt Lake City for their chance to show us that they have the talent to be the next American Idol.

The final auditions take place as the judges head to New York City and then San Juan, PR. in search for the next American Idol.

With the auditions out of the way, now is the time to separate the good from the bad and to find the real talent that holds in the rooms. With the individuals hoping to make a name for themselves, who is going to outshine the rest and make it through to the next round?

It is Group Week and no one is safe for this round of tough auditions. With many already to go, a twist forces them to separate and form new groups and make new friends. Which group is going to make it through to the next round and which are going home? The judges decide.

Now it is the individuals to show what they have and to shine out the rest of the competition and to show the judges that they did not make the wrong choice from choosing from the Group Week. This week they are solo with the help of the band or their own instrument.

The contestants from all over the country have performed tirelessly in front of the judges and faced stiff competition while in Hollywood. Now it's time they reveal the Top 36 who will move on and have a chance at becoming this year's American Idol.

Top 36 Finalists Group 1 Perform

Top 36 Finalists Group 1 Results

Top 36 Finalists Group 2 Perform

Top 36 Finalists Group 2 Results

Top 36 Finalists Group 3 Perform

Top 36 Finalists Group 3 Results

Wild Card Results

Season eight sees it's first performances from the 13 chosen contestants.

Two of the 13 finalists are voted off the show.

Top 11 Finalists Perform Live

The top 10 is set. Performances by Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood and Randy Travis.

The top 10 compete in Motown week with Smokey Robinson.

Ruebin Studdard, Smokey Robinson, Joss Stone and Stevie Wonder perform.

Top 9 Finalists Perform

This episode will end with 1 contestants being eliminated.

This week's performance showcases feature songs from the year each performer was born for the eight remaining singers.

This episode will end with 1 contestants being eliminated.

The remaining contestants perform songs

This episode will end with 1 contestants being eliminated.

Top 7 Finalists Perform Again

This episode will end with 2 contestants being eliminated. Performances from disco week include Harry Casey, Thelma Houston and Freda Payne singing a medley of the genres gems. Also, season 7 runner up David Archuleta stops by to sing a song.

This week's performances will come from the songbook of the Rat Pack, the 1960's cool crooners who also went by the names of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr.

A contestant is eliminated

Top 4 Finalists perform for Rock Week.

1 of 4 voted off. Slash plays lead guitar duiring Idol group number. Daughtry performs and accepts Platinum Record. No Doubt also performs.

3 Finalists Compete

One of Three Voted Off

The Top 2 Finalist perform. Both Adam Lambert and Kris Allen sing three songs: one song they sang before on the competition, one song chosen by 'Idol' creator Simon Fuller and the song that will be their first Single, co-written by judge Kara DioGuardi

The top-13 finalists reunite on stage; the winner is announced.