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  'American Idol's Top 8 finalists take to the stage and perform live

  April 8, 2009
  American Idol's Top 8 eighth-season finalists took to the stage and performed during last night's live broadcast of the Fox reality competition's fifth finals round.
   
  The Top 8 finalists -- Danny Gokey, Kris Allen, Allison Iraheta, Adam Lambert, Lil Rounds, Scott MacIntyre, Anoop Desai, and Matt Giraud -- all had the freedom to sing any song that had been recorded in the year they were born.
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  'American Idol' eliminates Megan Joy, determines the Top 8 finalists

  April 2, 2009
  Megan Joy was revealed to be the fifth finalist eliminated from American Idol's eighth season during last night's live results show broadcast on Fox.
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  'American Idol's Top 9 eighth-season finalists take to the live stage

  April 1, 2009
  American Idol's Top 9 eighth-season finalists took to the stage and performed during last night's live broadcast of the Fox reality competition's fourth finals round.
   
  The Top 9 finalists -- Danny Gokey, Kris Allen, Allison Iraheta, Adam Lambert, Lil Rounds, Scott MacIntyre, Megan Joy Corkrey, Anoop Desai, and Matt Giraud -- all had the freedom to sing any song they wished, so long as it was a top seller on iTunes, one of the show's primary sponsors.
   
  Prior to the first performance, American Idol host Ryan Seacrest spoke to the judge Randy Jackson about Top 9 was shaping up.
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  'American Idol' cuts Michael Sarver, reveals eighth season's Top 9

  March 27, 2009
  Michael Sarver was revealed to be the fourth finalist eliminated from American Idol's eighth season during last night's live results show broadcast on Fox.
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  'American Idol's Top 10 finalists take to the stage and perform

  March 26, 2009
  American Idol's Top 10 eighth-season finalists took to the stage and performed during last night's live broadcast of the Fox reality competition's third finals round.
   
  The Top 10 finalists -- Michael Sarver, Danny Gokey, Kris Allen, Allison Iraheta, Adam Lambert, Lil Rounds, Scott MacIntyre, Megan Joy Corkrey, Anoop Desai, and Matt Giraud -- all sang the songs of Motown Records, with music legend Smokey Robinson serving as the week's mentor.
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  Simon Cowell: Adam Lambert or Danny Gokey will win 'American Idol'

  March 25, 2009
  Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson have reiterated that they think a male contestant will take home American Idol's eighth-season title -- and this time, they also named names.
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  'American Idol' cuts Alexis Grace, reveals the season's Top 10 finalists

  March 19, 2009
  Alexis Grace was revealed to be the third finalist eliminated from American Idol's eighth season during last night's live results show broadcast on Fox.
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  'American Idol's Top 11 finalists take to the stage and perform live

  March 18, 2009
  American Idol's Top 11 eighth-season finalists took to the stage and performed during last night's live broadcast of the Fox reality competition's second finals round.
   
  The Top 11 -- consisting of Alexis Grace, Michael Sarver, Danny Gokey, Kris Allen, Allison Iraheta, Adam Lambert, Lil Rounds, Scott MacIntyre, Megan Joy Corkrey, Anoop Desai, and Matt Giraud -- all sang Grand Ole Opry songs for the competition's sometimes infamous "Country Week," with country superstar Randy Travis serving as the week's mentor.
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  'American Idol' cuts Jasmine Murray and Jorge Nunez, reveals twist

  March 12, 2009
  Jasmine Murray and Jorge Nunez were revealed to be the first two finalists eliminated from American Idol's eighth season during last night's live results show broadcast on Fox.
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  'American Idol's Top 13 finalists take to the stage and perform live

  March 11, 2009
  American Idol's Top 13 eighth-season finalists took to the stage and performed during last night's live broadcast of the first finals round for the Fox reality competition.

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