Colbert Gets Wax Treatment at Madame Tussauds

11/17/2012
THE WASHINGTON POST
Stephen Colbert reacts to seeing his wax figure for the first time Friday at Madame Tussauds in Washington.
Stephen Colbert reacts to seeing his wax figure for the first time Friday at Madame Tussauds in Washington.

WASHINGTON — Stephen Colbert showed up at Madame Tussauds in Washington on Friday to help unveil a wax version of himself. He also posed for photos with the wax figure, snuggled with it, and licked its face — though he stopped when the museum's general manager said that licking wasn't allowed.

"I'm so beautiful!" Colbert gushed, wrapping his arms around the statue, which museum staff said took several months to create.

The unveiling of wax Colbert coincided with the Washington museum renovating its Media Room, complete with a replica set of Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report." The faux newsman now holds company with wax media icons including Oprah Winfrey, Katie Couric, Al Roker and Larry King; Dan Rather is also there but was temporarily moved to the gift shop.

"I'm honored to be standing here next to my man-crayon," Colbert said, reading a short speech from a paper before the big reveal. "I learned this from the Madame Tussauds people just a minute ago — that on the color wheel, my skin tone is semi-gloss Romney voter."

Colbert fielded questions from the media, curious to know what fellow Comedy Central late-night host Jon Stewart thought of this induction into the wax museum (he's likely "burning with jealousy") and if Colbert had any thoughts on the David Petraeus scandal or Petraeus' appearance at the Benghazi hearings on Capitol Hill ("What he's testifying about today isn't funny").

One reporter asked if the wax figure, sporting a dapper Brooks Brothers suit donated by Colbert, would freak out his kids the next time they visit Washington.

"Of course," Colbert replied. "It freaks me out."