Neil Patrick Harris Says He WON'T Host the Tony Awards This Year

[Littleshopofcarrie]

Posted: 2/5/14 at 9:38am

Thank God!

[Visceral_Fella]

Posted: 2/5/14 at 10:12am

Ooh, maybe we can get Whoopi back.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 2/5/14 at 10:27am

What was wrong with Neil Patrick Harris? I thought he was a great host.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 2/5/14 at 10:50am

I did, too.

He's been terrific, but his reason makes all the sense in the world.

Updated On: 2/5/14 at 10:50 AM

[quizking101]

Posted: 2/5/14 at 10:50am

I feel like it's always awkward to have a nominee host the show. I'm reminded of 2010 when Sean Hayes managed to combine (in his words) "a good chance of losing with a good chance of bombing".

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 2/5/14 at 10:53am

I think there's a 99.8% chance of him being nominated and a very strong chance of him winning. He's adored in our community. So, yes...I think it's a wise choice.

[tazber]

Posted: 2/5/14 at 11:09am

I have always loved him as a host too.

I think Jefferson Mays is going to win though.

[mamaleh]

Posted: 2/5/14 at 11:11am

Adored? Well, by me, not so much Anyway, I'd like to see Hugh Jackman get the job again. His last hosting was in 2005. Incidentally, he won the Tony during one of his hosting years. But his win in 2004 was a foregone conclusion anyway. I doubt that Harris, if nominated, will be. Mays, Pasquale, anyone?

[lovebwy]

Posted: 2/5/14 at 11:21am

They need to get La Lansbury back!

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 2/5/14 at 11:24am

'Adored? Well, by me, not so much'

I'm sorry...I didn't mean the BWW community. I meant that he's absolutely adored in the NY theater community.

I have not seen his performance (of course), but my guess is, if he makes it through 8 shows a week alive, he'll get the nomination. And I think he could win it based not so much on how good he is, but how well-loved he is.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 2/5/14 at 11:26am

I, too, really enjoyed him as a host, but his reasoning makes perfect sense.

And if he's great in Hedwig, which I hope he is, I could easily see him winning. Not only is he well-loved, but Hedwig is a hell of a role and a feat to pull off well.

[HorseTears]

Posted: 2/5/14 at 11:32am

I think this might be a generational thing. I think NPH is - hands down - the best Tonys host ever. Sharp comedic timing and enough of an insider to get away with just the right amount of snark. Hugh Jackman is like, well, the star quarter back/valedictorian/honors student/drama club president rolled into one. It never feels effortless with him. That being said, when he appeared on stage with NPH they made a nice match.

I love Dame Angela as much as the next guy, but she was a dull host. I know her hosting stints were a product of their time, but they were so stiff and formal. In fact, these days whether on stage or simply giving an interview, she seems so much more relaxed, natural and unfussy.

If they can't hook NPH, I wonder who else would be on the list. Jackman, I suppose. I wonder if Nathan would ever host again. In an alternate universe in which tv ratings wouldn't matter, Susan Blackwell and Laura Benanati would be a riot.

Updated On: 2/5/14 at 11:32 AM

[promisespromises2]

Posted: 2/5/14 at 11:55am

Susan Blackwell and Laura Benanti. You are a genius HorseTears! They remind me of another Tina and Amy... Only with face-licking.

[Littleshopofcarrie]

Posted: 2/5/14 at 11:56am

It's not that I didn't like him, it's just that I was getting tired of the same person hosting for the past three years and wanted somebody new!

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 2/5/14 at 12:00pm

I agree with the mention of Laura Benanti as a Tony Host. She is one funny Broadway lady. (example. I heard her on the Sirius XM on Broadway. She makes a joke that not many people know that 54 Below is totally made up of cocaine. I'm curious...who officially decides on a Tony host?

[best12bars]

Posted: 2/5/14 at 12:06pm

People always seem to want "new," whether it's any good or not.

I think that says more about their state of boredom than anything else. Neil was one of (if not) the best Tony hosts ever. He might as well quit while he's ahead.

I wish him luck with Hedwig.

[Brian07663NJ]

Posted: 2/5/14 at 12:28pm

I am right down the middle on him…

I don't love him or hate him. I don't get the adoration but I appreciate his talent.
Understand his younger fan base and why he appeals to them.
Don't quite get why straight women tend to love him beyond words but ok.

Makes sense that he cannot host due to Hedwig but honestly when I saw the topic I thought "WHY NOT!?"

The only thing constant in life is change. A different host is not necessarily a bad thing. I don't agree with continually bringing back previous hosts.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 2/5/14 at 12:46pm

What about Ramin Karimloo?

[Demitri2]

Posted: 2/5/14 at 1:39pm

I would think the network would want to go with more of a household name. Jim Parsons won a Tony for THE NORMAL HEART and did HARVEY. Though Neil Patrick Harris has done more theatre he was a replacement in two out of three of his appearances on Broadway.

Though he only did one show, Sean Hayes might be a possibility too.

[dreaming]

Posted: 2/5/14 at 1:42pm

Jim Parsons doesn't have any Tonys. (The Normal Heart won featured actor for John Benjamin Hickey and Ellen Barkin.)

I agree they'll surely go with a 'name'. (I bet they'll try to get Hugh Jackman again. Sean Hayes is a possibility.)

[bobs3]

Posted: 2/5/14 at 2:04pm

If they can't get NPH or a superstar like Hugh Jackman to host, CBS will probably insist that someone from the CBS family host -- Jim Parsons or Robin Williams maybe (by early May CBS will have announced their fall schedule and there could be someone else on the line-up who has Broadway experience and name recognition).

Updated On: 2/5/14 at 02:04 PM

[DeeKDee]

Posted: 2/5/14 at 3:16pm

After seeing a video of Zachary Levi doing a number at the Drama League gala event for NPH earlier this week, he could do a good job at hosting the Tonys--IMO. But, they probably wouldn't think he's a big enough star/draw.

[quizking101]

Posted: 2/5/14 at 3:20pm

I second whoever proposed Robin Williams to host. I would be p!ssing my pants all night long while running up my credit card bill.

[Demitri2]

Posted: 2/5/14 at 4:06pm

Gee I forgot all about Jesse Tyler Furguson. Didn't he even jokingly offer to replace NPH in one of the recent Tony Award telecast musical numbers?

[bobs3]

Posted: 2/5/14 at 4:17pm

Jesse Tyler Ferguson would be good but he's with ABC -- not a chance in hell CBS would agree to that.