Over the past few years, we’ve seen some terrific Oscar hosts (the inimitable Billy Crystal), some awful ones (the painfully unfunny Seth MacFarlane) and some ones whom we’re not really sure even remember being there (here’s looking at you, James Franco). But for next year’s ceremony, the Academy has opted to turn to someone who is almost guaranteed to deliver a legen (wait for it!) dary show. That’s right, folks – meet your new host, Tony winner Neil Patrick Harris.
While this will be Harris’ first time hosting the Oscars, he has plenty of experience, having hosted the Tonys four times and the Emmys twice. The new gig puts him one show away from a hosting EGOT, with only the Grammys left to check off (and just wait, he’ll get there).
Meanwhile, the How I Met Your Mother alum is having a pretty spectacular month. He received strong praise for his pivotal supporting role in the David Fincher-directed mystery thriller Gone Girl, which has topped the U.S. box office for two consecutive weeks, and also released his autobiography, Choose Your Own Autobiography, on Tuesday.
The man of many talents (Harris is a actor, producer, director, magician, comedian and singer) released two responses to the hosting news. In an official Academy release, he stated:
“It is truly an honor and a thrill to be asked to host this year’s Academy Awards. I grew up watching the Oscars and was always in such awe of some of the greats who hosted the show. To be asked to follow in the footsteps of Johnny Carson, Billy Crystal, Ellen DeGeneres, and everyone else who had the great fortune of hosting is a bucket list dream come true.”
