Kris Allen and Adam Lambert are American Idol's Top 2 finalists after Danny Gokey received the fewest of the record-setting 88 million votes cast last night. In a season full of surprises, next week's final performance show promises to be a night to remember as Allen and Lambert compete head-to-head for the Idol crown at the NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE Tuesday, May 19 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.
Tune in the following night for the biggest television event of the season. Over 100,000 people auditioned, and now only one finalist will be crowned the next American Idol on the two-hour season finale Wednesday, May 20 (8:00-10:07 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed). Next week's finale and celebration will feature special performances and surprise guests as the Top 13 finalists reunite on stage one last time before America's vote is revealed.
Also on tonight's show, Ben Stiller, Hank Azaria, Jonah Hill and Bill Hader, stars of the upcoming 20th Century Fox theatrical release Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian were part of an opening segment celebrating American Idol's newest honor. After making an indelible imprint on the television and music industries and permeating pop culture with its mission of finding undiscovered talent and giving hopefuls a platform to share their voices, American Idol has earned a place in the Smithsonian Institution. One of the iconic pieces of the Idol set, the Judges' desk and chairs, will be on display in the Smithsonian Institution Building ("The Castle") in the coming weeks.
In this second installment of the Night at the Museum saga, former night guard Larry Daley (Stiller) faces a battle so epic it could only unfold in the corridors of the world's largest museum. Now, Larry must try to save his formerly inanimate friends from what could be their last stand amid the wonders of the Smithsonian, all of which, from the famous paintings on the walls to the rocket ships in the halls, suddenly have a mind of their own. Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian marks the first action-adventure film ever shot on location at the nation's premiere museum complex, the Smithsonian Institution.
American Idol is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-
Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America; and Ken Warwick, executive producer, FremantleMedia North America.
Visit AmericanIdol.com for exclusive videos, interviews and photos of the finalists, as well as special behind-the-scenes information and all of your American Idol news.