| 1. Auditions: Chicago | Air Date: 17 January 2006 |
| 2. Auditions: Denver | Air Date: 18 January 2006 |
| 3. Auditions: Greensboro, North Carolina | Air Date: 24 January 2006 |
| 4. Auditions: San Francisco | Air Date: 25 January 2006 |
| 5. Auditions: Las Vegas | Air Date: 31 January 2006 |
| 6. Auditions: Austin, Texas | Air Date: 1 February 2006 |
| 7. Auditions: Boston, Massachusetts | Air Date: 7 February 2006 |
| 8. Hollywood Eliminations: Part 1 | Air Date: 8 February 2006 |
| 9. Hollywood Eliminations: Part 2 | Air Date: 14 February 2006 |
| 10. Hollywood Eliminations: Part 3 | Air Date: 15 February 2006 |
| 11. Top 24 Performance Show: Part 1 (Girls) | Air Date: 21 February 2006 |
| 12. Top 24 Performance Show: Part 2 (Guys) | Air Date: 22 February 2006 |
| 13. Top 24 Results Show | Air Date: 23 February 2006 |
| 14. Top 20 Performance Show: Part 1 (Girls) | Air Date: 28 February 2006 |
| 15. Top 20 Performance Show: Part 2 (Guys) | Air Date: 1 March 2006 |
| 16. Top 20 Results Show | Air Date: 2 March 2006 |
| 17. Top 16 Performance Show: Part 1 (Girls) | Air Date: 7 March 2006 |
| 18. Top 16 Performance Show: Part 2 (Guys) | Air Date: 8 March 2006 |
| 19. Top 16 Results Show | Air Date: 9 March 2006 |
| 20. Top 12 Performance Show: Stevie Wonder | Air Date: 14 March 2006 |
| 21. Top 12 Results Show | Air Date: 15 March 2006 |
| 22. Top 11 Performance Show: The 50's | Air Date: 21 March 2006 |
| 23. Top 11 Results Show | Air Date: 22 March 2006 |
| 24. Top 10 Performance Show: 21st Century | Air Date: 28 March 2006 |
| 25. Top 10 Results Show | Air Date: 29 March 2006 |
| 26. Top 9 Performance Show: Country | Air Date: 4 April 2006 |
| 27. Top 9 Results Show | Air Date: 5 April 2006 |
| 28. Top 8 Performance Show: Queen | Air Date: 11 April 2006 |
| 29. Top 8 Results Show | Air Date: 12 April 2006 |
| 30. Top 7 Performance Show: Great American Songbook | Air Date: 18 April 2006 |
| 31. Top 7 Results Show | Air Date: 19 April 2006 |
| 32. Top 6 Performance Show: Love Songs | Air Date: 25 April 2006 |
| 33. Top 6 Results Show | Air Date: 26 April 2006 |
| 34. Top 5 Performance Show: Birth Year & Latest Billboards | Air Date: 2 May 2006 |
| 35. Top 5 Results Show | Air Date: 3 May 2006 |
| 36. Top 4 Performance Show: Elvis Presley | Air Date: 9 May 2006 |
| 37. Top 4 Results Show | Air Date: 10 May 2006 |
| 38. Top 3 Performance Show: Clive Davis', Judges' & Idol's Choice | Air Date: 16 May 2006 |
| 39. Top 3 Results Show | Air Date: 17 May 2006 |
| 40. Top 2 Showdown | Air Date: 23 May 2006 |
| 41. Grand Final | Air Date: 24 May 2006 |
