In last year’s Emmys, five reality stars emceed the show. It was so disastrous that I forgot who they were, and I supposed, so did you. And boy did the producers make up for it this year! TV actor and Broadway star Neil Patrick Harris was hailed for his superb hosting skills and opening performance at the 2009 Emmy Awards.
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 20: Host Neil Patrick Harris performs onstage during the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards held at the Nokia Theatre on September 20, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Reminiscent of his Tony Awards performance this year, NPH’s opening act was a song-and-dance number that didn’t disappoint. Never mind that he didn’t win Best Supporting Actor for How I Met Your Mother. If you missed it, view it here:
His hosting was so good that when Jeff Probst accepted his award for Best Reality Host for Survivor, he said in his acceptance speech: “Neil Patrick Harris, THIS is how you host the Emmys. Nice job.†Now I remember. Jeff was one of the five hosts in last year’s show.
If that wasn’t enough, Jon Stewart, who accepted the Best Variety, Music or Comedy Series award for The Daily Show, paused in the middle of his speech to compliment NPH on doing a great job.
As for the winners that night, there wasn’t much surprise as most of the awards were given to the same winners as last year’s Emmys. See the full list here.
“The Emmy cast with Harris in charge not only was remarkably stylish, fun and brisk but could even make viewers forget last year’s disastrous format with five hosts, none of whom could rise to the occasion,†commented Frazier Moore of the AP.
First the Tonys, and now he saves the Emmys. What’s next for NPH—the Oscars?
