Well, a portrait of him is anyway. And the sight is shocking museum patrons all the same.
Think about it… you are strolling through the Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington near the “America’s Presidents” exhibit and right between the entrances for the men’s and women’s bathrooms is a gigantic portrait of the fake TV pundit standing near a fireplace.
Who wouldn’t be caught off guard?
The joke—-and it is a joke according to museum officials—-is supposedly on everyone who thinks Stephen Colbert has become a permanent resident of the prestigious museum. The portrait of the Comedy Central host is only temporary. Smithsonian reps say Colbert’s picture will hang in the gallery for the next six weeks, though with the huge crowds the portrait is drawing museum officials might want to consider adding Colbert’s mug to their permanent collection.
Not only is the portrait of the conservative talk-show host drawing hordes of visitors, the ones who are coming are staying a while to examine the Colbert masterpiece, which is actually three portraits in one. The painting depicts a suave-looking Colbert standing at a fireplace in front of a similar portrait of himself posing in front of the same mantel with a third picture of himself.
The only one not surprised by the record turnout might be Colbert himself.
It took a while—-not to mention a rejection from the National Museum of American History—-but Colbert was finally able to persuade Smithsonian Institution officials he was worthy of hanging near past leaders of the United States.
Colbert campaigned for the honor much as he did during his recent attempts to get his name on the ballot in an effort to run for president as a Democrat. The host of “The Colbert Report” finally won over the folks at the Smithsonian and he bragged about doing so on his late-night show saying his portrait was “hanging in the hall of presidents, just a few yards from the father of our country – exactly where I believe it belongs.”
So the next time you want your picture taken standing next to Stephen Colbert you know where to go.