TV Moment of 2009: Neil Patrick Harris Hosts the Emmys

The Emmys were once the least of the EGOT shows: not as glamorous as the Oscars, nor as entertaining as the Tonys or Grammys (and not as rowdy as the Golden Globes). Still, the show had a history of solid hosts, from Ellen DeGeneres to Garry Shandling to Conan O'Brien. But Emmy almost dropped her golden orb in disbelief when a Whitman's Sampler of "reality hosts" bored everyone to tears in 2008. So this year's producers had a better idea. Instead of five MCs, hosting duties were handed to just three names: Neil Patrick Harris.

NPH 2.0 began on Broadway. Harris revived a career stuck in the Doogies with meaty roles in the musicals 'Cabaret' and 'Assassins.' He was rewarded with hosting duties for the 2009 Tony Awards. Synergy certainly played a part -- the Tonys have been a staple of CBS, and Harris is one of the network's breakout sitcom stars. How would 'How I Met Your Mother''s Barney Stimson fare? To the delight of award show aficionados, a go-to host was born.The Emmys were once the least of the EGOT shows: not as glamorous as the Oscars, nor as entertaining as the Tonys or Grammys (and not as rowdy as the Golden Globes). Still, the show had a history of solid hosts, from Ellen DeGeneres to Garry Shandling to Conan O'Brien. But Emmy almost dropped her golden orb in disbelief when a Whitman's Sampler of "reality hosts" bored everyone to tears in 2008. So this year's producers had a better idea. Instead of five MCs, hosting duties were handed to just three names: Neil Patrick Harris.

NPH 2.0 began on Broadway. Harris revived a career stuck in the Doogies with meaty roles in the musicals 'Cabaret' and 'Assassins.' He was rewarded with hosting duties for the 2009 Tony Awards. Synergy certainly played a part -- the Tonys have been a staple of CBS, and Harris is one of the network's breakout sitcom stars. How would 'How I Met Your Mother''s Barney Stimson fare? To the delight of award show aficionados, a go-to host was born.

Even Harris's Tony sign off was a highlight. His closing number, a medley of Broadway classics with irreverent lyrics from 'Hairspray''s team of Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, was sidesplitting. More outrageous than the appearance of Bret Michaels at the Tonys? Harris's tuneful suggestion that Poison was partying down with Angela Lansbury.

After that success in June, the Emmy job seemed a no-brainer. Though not in the running for a Tony, Harris was considered an Emmy favorite in the Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy category for his role as Stimson. He had also starred in 'Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog,' a Web-based cult hit that won the first Emmy for short-format live-action entertainment program. Cannily, Harris took on a producing credit for the telecast.

The show retained what worked at the Tonys and added some edge. Another Shaiman & Wittman ditty had Harris lusting after 'Mad Men''s Christina Hendricks ... and Jon Hamm. Harris spent a segment or two steaming over his loss to Jon Cryer for Comedy Supporting Actor. And Dr. Horrible made an appearance. 'Daily Show' humorist John Hodgman -- best known as the living embodiment of the PC in Mac commercials -- provided hilariously unreliable facts from the announcer's booth ("After playing the president on '24' [Cherry Jones] is now considered the front-runner for the 2012 Republication nomination").

There was some talk that NPH could complete a hosting slam, taking on the Oscars in March. After all, he also created one of the more indelible film characters of recent memory -- Harold and Kumar's crude celebrity actor buddy named, er, "Neil Patrick Harris." But for now, NPH is sticking to his day job on 'Mother.' Rest up, Neil. Spring is right around the corner, and the Scripps National Spelling Bee could really use some pizzazz.