Episode 1
The talent contest opens its fifth season with open auditions in Los Angeles.
Episode 2
Open auditions are held in Dallas.
Episode 3
Season 5's open auditions continue.
Episode 4
Preliminary auditions continue.
Episode 5
Open auditions continue.
Episode 6
Episode 7
Disparate acts are featured in continuing preliminary auditions.
Episode 8
Episode 9
Season 5's preliminary auditions continue.
Episode 10
Auditions continue.
Episode 11
Contestants perform for the judges in Las Vegas in hopes of making it into the top 48.
Episode 12
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.
Episode 13
Performance showcases in Los Angeles kick off with 12 acts from the Top 48 taking the stage.
Episode 14
Four winning acts are selected for the sought-after Top 24 in a results edition.
Episode 15
Twelve acts from the Top 48 showcase their talents in the second week of performance shows.
Episode 16
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."
Episode 17
Twelve acts perform in the third week of showcases.
Episode 18
Four acts win a slot in the Top 24 in a results show. Singer-songwriter Mike Posner and hip-hop dance troupe JabbaWockeeZ perform.
Episode 19
Twelve acts from the Top 48 take the stage in the fourth week of performance showcases.
Episode 20
Four acts advance to the Top 24 in a results edition. Rocker Bret Michaels and British singer-songwriter Taio Cruz perform.
Episode 21
Twelve acts from YouTube perform in Hollywood.
Episode 22
Four acts from YouTube advance to the semifinal round.
Episode 23
Twelve previously eliminated acts return to the contest and perform in a wild-card round.
Episode 24
Four wild-card acts advance to the semifinal round. Country songstress LeAnn Rimes and illusionist Criss Angel perform.
Episode 25
The semifinal round begins with 12 acts performing in a bid to break into the Top 10.
Episode 26
Five semifinal contestants win a position in the Top 10 in a results show. Jimmy Fallon and singer Kylie Minogue perform.
Episode 27
The semifinal round continues with 12 acts performing.
Episode 28
Five winning acts advance to the Top 10.
Episode 29
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."
Episode 30
The final four acts are revealed. Sarah McLachlan sings "Forgiveness" and the cast of the stage show "American Idiot" performs.
Episode 31
In Season 5's penultimate episode, the remaining four acts perform in Hollywood for the final time.
Episode 32
The winning act is revealed in the Season 5 finale, which features performances by an array of Las Vegas and Hollywood stars.
