Neil Patrick Harris was tapped to host the 2013 Primetime Emmy Awards, a choice that instantly signaled a night of high-energy comedy, crowd-pleasing performances, and razor-sharp timing. The actor best known for How I Met Your Mother has built a reputation for turning broadcast moments into shared memories, and industry insiders expected this ceremony to lean into that signature blend of wit, warmth, and surprise. From the moment the host was announced, viewers pictured a night where music, smart humor, and timely callbacks would help carry the show through a long evening of presentations and awards across genres. Harris’s track record of keeping a live audience engaged while guiding a sprawling telecast with quick pivots is exactly the kind of skill award shows crave, especially when the night aims to celebrate the best in television for audiences in the United States and Canada. The Emmys are television’s big night, and the early buzz suggested Harris could deliver a steady, entertaining rhythm that balances big musical moments with genuine moments of triumph.
Harris brings a proven hosting résumé to the job. He has already steered a major television awards broadcast and shown comfort with live production, musical numbers, and rapid-fire gags. He was also lined up to host this year’s Tony Awards, underscoring the faith producers placed in his ability to manage a live, high-profile program with several moving parts. Fans and fellow performers have long appreciated his ease with improvisation, his willingness to poke at himself, and his musical talent, which translates into entertaining opening numbers and warm, engaging crowd work. The result is a performance style that feels both polished and approachable, a rare mix that helps the telecast connect with viewers at home while keeping the excitement high in the room.
But what could the Emmys gain from Harris that might set the night apart in 2013? Expect a host who can sing with confidence, improvise with pace, and keep the room moving as presenters take the stage. An engaging opening number, quick-witted quips between segments, and playful nods to recent TV moments could anchor the program while allowing emotional, celebratory, and heartfelt tributes to unfold. For viewers in Canada and the United States, the appeal is clear: a familiar face who can navigate a room full of stars while keeping audiences at home entertained, with a musical edge that reflects the broader world of television. The host’s storytelling ability matters as much as the announcements, and Harris’s history of delivering well-timed humor, poise on live television, and a genuine love for the medium positions him to guide the evening through its blend of humor, drama, and spectacle.
During a moment of playful bravado, the host teased about using the same script for the Tonys, joking that he would run the exact same monologue for both shows. He even floated a tongue-in-cheek line about an imaginary award going to Breaking Bad, a gag that underscored the meta humor viewers enjoy when a host is confident, self-aware, and in on the joke with nominees. According to the Emmy Awards press materials, Harris expressed his excitement with a sense of gratitude and a promise to bring energy and warmth to the telecast. The Emmys were scheduled to air on September 22, and fans in the United States and Canada looked forward to performances, surprises, and a celebration of television’s most memorable moments deserving of a prime-time spotlight.”