We were getting set to remind everyone that time is running out to catch the wildly popular Stephen Colbert portrait hanging at the National Portrait Gallery, but a spokesperson at the NPG has just told us they've decided to extend the run of the "painting" until April 1 - April Fool's Day. The portrait was hung on Jan. 16 between the 2nd floor bathrooms of the museum as part of a lengthy three-part gag on the Colbert Report that the NPG agreed to play along with. Since then, record crowds, especially of young people, have visited the Portrait Gallery to catch a glimpse of the cultural icon.

Originally the portrait was only supposed to hang for six weeks, but the NPG apparently knows a good publicity stunt when they find one. The extension to April 1 means Colbert will now be getting a full ten weeks in his place of "honor" at the museum.

The video above was produced by the Smithsonian Channel, which has launched a relatively new online social networking venture called Smithsonian Channel Community. The web site, launched in January, allows users to share photos, videos, and write blog posts as part of the Smithsonian Channel's mission to connect viewers with their American heritage. We thought this particular video was awfully funny and well produced, and are intrigued by the possibilities the new Smithsonian Channel Community might offer some of our D.C. readers to help share their more frequent experiences with the Smithsonian museums with the rest of the country. Check it out for yourselves.