Tuesday

Colbert at the Smithsonian? Close enough.

Filed under Art News

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History turned down Stephen Colbert’s efforts to have his image displayed. But the National Portrait Gallery, famous for its portraits of the presidents but also home to unique portrayals of athletes, hip-hop artists and Hollywood stars, welcomed the idea.

The line outside the bathroom at the National Portrait Gallery has been out the door ever since museum officials decided to hang a portrait of late-night host Stephen Colbert between the men’s and women’s restrooms.

“The lines have been extraordinary,” museum director Marc Pachter said Monday as he prepared to end his 33-year tenure with the Smithsonian Institution. “A friend e-mailed that it was good I was leaving with my dignity.”

Colbert, who plays an egotistical conservative talk show host on his Comedy Central show, “The Colbert Report,” has made a running joke of his campaign to get his portrait into the Smithsonian.
Continue…