ONTD

After getting rave reviews as the master of ceremonies at last month's Tony Awards, How I Met Your Mother star Neil Patrick Harris is in negotiations with CBS to host this year's 61st annual Emmy Awards on Sept. 20, according to Variety. The deal would likely appease critics who lambasted last year's Emmy show for using five reality show stars --- including Tom Bergeron and Heidi Klum --- as co-hosts, while also providing a plug for Mother, which will debut in the 8 p.m. Monday slot on CBS the night after the awards show. In addition to the Tonys, Harris has also served as host of this year's TV Land Awards and the Writers Guild Awards ceremony in L.A.

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The Emmys will be legen- wait for it -dary if Neil hosts.

Edit: It has now been confirmed he's hosting.

Neil Patrick Harris' Emmy hosting gig has moved from the talking stage to the definitely doing stage.

Multiple sources are now confirming that the legen...dary How I Met Your Mother cad has formally signed on to emcee the 61st annual ceremony, which airs Sept. 20 on CBS.

An official announcement is expected early next week.

As pointed out by Variety, which was first to report the NPH negotiations, Emmy producers are under pressure to boost the kudocast's ratings and critical reception in the wake of last year's apocalyptic reality quintet train wreck. (The opening "comedy" routine still gives me nightmares.)

Harris, meanwhile, is coming off of a rapturously received Tony hosting stint. He's also one of CBS' biggest stars, so the cross-promotional possibilities with HIMYM (which kicks off its new season the night after the Emmys) are endless.

It's a no-brainer, folks!

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