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 is taking its place at the Smithsonian Institution.

One of the iconic pieces of the AMERICAN IDOL set, the Judges’ desk and chairs, will be on display in the Smithsonian Institution Building, (“The Castle”) in the coming weeks. From behind this desk, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and, most recently, Kara DioGuardi took the television world by storm with their audacious but spot-on critiques and verbal sparring. These influential opinions have helped launch the careers of Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, Kellie Pickler, Jordin Sparks and David Cook.

To help celebrate this honor, Ben Stiller, Hank Azaria, Jonah Hill and Bill Hader, stars of the upcoming 20^th Century Fox theatrical release “Night At The Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian,” will be part of a hilarious opening segment on the AMERICAN IDOL results show Wednesday, May 13 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

In this second installment of the “Night at the Museum” saga, former night guard Larry Daley (Ben 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, the largest and most visited museums in the world. 

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. For all photo requests, please go to foxflash.com.

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