Neil Patrick Harris to Host, Produce Primetime Emmys

Neil Patrick Harris, star of the CBS comedy How I Met Your Mother, will host the 61^st Primetime Emmy® Awards, broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles Sunday, Sept. 20 (8:00-11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on CBS. Harris will also serve as a producer for the broadcast.

“After having had such a hoot hosting the Tonys, I was thrilled to get the call about the Primetime Emmys,” said Harris. “I'm looking forward to the challenge of the show – adding my own voice to it, while honoring the nominees and the entire year in television."

"But which voice to choose?" he added, "I'm torn between gangsta, foppish Brit, and robot. Really proud of my robot. We'll see what happens on the night.”

Equally successful on stage and screen during his successful entertainment career of more than 20 years, Neil Patrick Harris has garnered huge accolades for his role as Barney Stinson in the hit CBS comedy series, How I Met Your Mother. Harris recently earned a 2009 Golden Globe nomination and two consecutive Primetime Emmy Award nominations.

From his film debut opposite Whoopi Goldberg in Clara's Heart and his seminal role as the beloved titular character in Doogie Howser, M.D., to his recent turn in Joss Whedon's online sensation, Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog.

His many theatrical credits include the dual role of The Balladeer/Lee Harvey Oswald in the Tony Award-winning production of Assassins, as well as acclaimed performances in the Broadway productions of Cabaret and Proof.

Last awards season, Harris teamed with Kristin Chenoweth to announce the 60^th Primetime Emmy nominations (video of that 2008 ceremony archived here - click here to watch). Subsequently, he and Sarah Chalke co-hosted the 2008 Creative Arts Emmy Awards show, which appeared on E! Entertainment Television.

Harris recently wowed viewers as host of the The 63^rd Annual Tony Awards.