All the reasons we fell in love with Neil Patrick Harris
Neil Patrick Harris is only one letter away from his hosting EGOT. Yes, that’s right — he’s already got the Tonys and the Emmys, and now he can add the Oscars to his ever growing resume (Golden Globes, what are you waiting for? Unless you’ve got Tina and Amy locked into a five-year deal. Then your lack of NPH is OK). NPH will host the Academy Awards this year on February 22nd 2015. He announced it via his Twitter, naturally, where we saw him cross it off his bucket list — and the list included other things like bungee jump, meet the president and juggle flaming torches. The guy has done it all, and we love him for it. If you’re not already excited about the Oscars, even though the event is still months away, you should be. NPH is bound to bring his endless energy and charm to the emcee position. And in case you need a refresher for reasons to love him unconditionally, here are just a few.
Les Misérables, “Confrontation”
The cast of How I Met Your Mother is basically one giant family. NPH and Jason Segel had a real big bromance going on for the run of the show. So much of a bromance, that they’d sing Les Miz together, because nothing says love like singing showtunes. It started way back in 2004 on the Megan Mullally Show, and ended on Inside the Actor’s Studio this past year. Both times Josh Randor cannot contain himself.
His turn as himself in the Harold and Kumar movies
It takes a very special kind of person to simply play yourself. Or better yet, an exaggerated version of yourself. NPH did that in the Harold and Kumar trilogy. It’s just so funny, because he’s playing himself but he’s not playing himself at the same time. Fine acting, indeed.
Choose Your Own Autobiography
Never one to follow the beaten path, NPH just recently released his autobiography. But it’s not just any old boring biography. Oh no, “boring” is not a word NPH understands. It’s a choose your own autobiography, where the reader gets to pick the twists and turns of his life. As the excerpt from the back of the book says, “In this revolutionary, Joycean experiment in light celebrity narrative, actor/personality/carbon-based life-form Neil Patrick Harris lets you, the reader, live his life.” Oh, also he put out a trailer for the book. Also not boring.
Dr. Horrible’s Sing-a-Long Blog
Let us never forget the writer’s strike of 2007-2008. It left us deprived of some of our favorite shows, but there were a few bright spots in the darkness: Joss Whedon gathered some friends together to make a superhero musical, and Dr. Horrible was born. NHP plays the title villain, who sings about laundry, freeze rays, and joining the Evil League of Evil.
NPH loves magic
NPH is actually an accomplished magician. For his first appearance on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson — in 1990! — he did a magic trick for the host. And he’s been doing magic ever since. He’s actually the President of the Board of Directors of Hollywood’s Magic Castle. So every time Barney did some strange magic on HIMYM, know that it was coming from a very special place in NPH’s heart.
He’s got the most adorable family
NPH just recently married his long-term partner, David Burtka, and the two of them have the most adorable twins, Gideon and Harper (they are the real stars of his Instagram). Last year, for NPH’s 40th, Burtka sent him on a week-long scavenger hunt, all across the country, with assorted clues that took him from Vegas all the way to Disney World. Fun fact: I was once within the same ten foot space as the Harris-Burtka family, and I think the close proximity changed me for the better.
The Shoe Fairy on Sesame Street
There will never be a situation where NPH turns down the opportunity to break out into song. For his appearance on Sesame Street, he played a literal shoe fairy who had shoes for every occasion. The song is actually pretty catchy, so I don’t suggest listening to it unless you want to hum about shoes for the next hour or so.
He’s a voice in Disneyland!
If you ever go to California Adventure at Disneyland, be sure to go ride California Screamin’. Not only is it an insanely fast roller coaster with a loop, but NPH provides the narration for it. Disneyland now sounds a lot better.
It’s a treat anytime he gives advice
NPH talked to Glamour a few months ago, and said some awesome things about relationships. When discussing his changing relationship with Burtka (like, having kids) he said “That sort of made me re-fall in love with him. That’s another important thing to realize. Everyone falls out of love with everything. You fall out of love with your house. You fall out of love with your job. You just have to figure out ways to keep [the love] alive.” Amazing.
All the other times he’s hosted award shows
The Oscars are in for a treat. NPH has already hosted the Tony Awards four times and the Emmy Awards twice. Each time, there’s a big showstopping musical number (sometimes with Hugh Jackman. Sometimes with Andrew Rannells). Who knows what kind of numbers he’s already preparing for the Oscars? He’s got to rope in some big time movie stars. Ben Affleck? Matthew McConaughey? Quick, does anyone know if Leonardo DiCaprio can sing?
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(Images via here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.)
