Neil Patrick Harris Will Host The 2013 Primetime Emmy Awards

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Neil Patrick Harris is getting a second opportunity to host the Emmys. This year’s broadcast is headed for CBS and the network has signed the How I Met Your Mother star on to take the stage as emcee for the night. The 2013 ceremony will take place on September 22 and will be held at the NOKIA Theater L.A. Live in Los Angeles. Interestingly, the last time Harris signed on to host the Emmys was in 2009--the last time CBS had the rights to air the big show.

CBS announced the news on Wednesday, noting that Harris’ roles as a host in the past for both the Emmy Awards and the Tony Awards make him a perfect fit for the 65th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony. Producer Ken Ehrlich is signed on to executive produce the broadcast and seems pretty happy to have Harris on board.

“Neil is one of the most versatile artists currently working in television. It’s going to be great fun to utilize his acting, hosting, musical and producing talents on the Emmys, an event designed to showcase all of the elements that combine to make great television.”

It should actually be a pretty busy year in terms of hosting important ceremonies for Harris. The man is set to host the Tony’s again—a commitment that has actually earned him an Emmy win in the past—in June. Then, he’ll have to start gearing up for the September TV Awards. Harris doesn’t seem to be under any pressure with both gigs coming up, though, and even joked about both honors.

“I couldn't be more honored and excited to be hosting this year's Emmy Awards. And what perfect timing – I'll just do the exact same script I'm about to use for the Tonys. ‘And the Emmy for Best Revival of a Musical goes to ‘Breaking Bad!’ See, told you it works.”

I always love it when Harris suits up for one of these gigs and think he’ll be a great fit for the show, but a little part of me wishes the event would air on ABC again next year, so that we could watch Jimmy Kimmel make slightly off-color jokes one more time. Since it is CBS' turn to air the awards, at least they've found a humorous host in Harris.

Jessica Rawden
Jessica Rawden
Managing Editor

Jessica Rawden is Managing Editor at CinemaBlend. She’s been kicking out news stories since 2007 and joined the full-time staff in 2014. She oversees news content, hiring and training for the site, and her areas of expertise include theme parks, rom-coms, Hallmark (particularly Christmas movie season), reality TV, celebrity interviews and primetime. She loves a good animated movie. Jessica has a Masters in Library Science degree from Indiana University, and used to be found behind a reference desk most definitely not shushing people. She now uses those skills in researching and tracking down information in very different ways.