“I don’t know that my family nor my soul could take it. It’s a beast. It was fun to check off the list, but for the amount of time spent and the understandable opinionated response, I don’t know that it’s a delightful balance to do every year or even again.”I didn’t keep up with it obsessively, but it was interesting to see just what people thought landed and didn’t. It’s so difficult for one who’s simply watching the show to realize just how much time and concession and compromise and explanation has gone into almost every single thing. Every joke. Wording of joke. Placement of joke. Canceling of joke. Embellishment for just one line. And I’m not saying that to defend everything I said as if it was the absolute best choice, but it’s also an award show, and you’re powering through 14 acts filled with 20 plus awards. So my job was to try and keep things as light and specific to this year’s set of films as possible. And if people are critical of that, it’s a big giant platform, so I would assume that they would be… I was glad we got through it, and I thought that those in the audience at the Dolby [Theatre] seemed to be enjoying themselves more as the show went on, when I was told that the opposite would be true. I was told that as the room fills, with you know it’s four-fifths of the room didn’t win, and you get further into the award giving they get less enthusiastic and less excited. And I felt while we were doing it that people were enjoying themselves more and more, so for that I’m happy.”
— Neil Patrick Harris discussing his recent hosting stint on the 87th Annual Academy Awards in an interview with HuffPo
moonman157
I don’t think he did a great job, but I think the problem lies more with the telecast than any host’s performance. Obviously some hosts can be better than others, but NPH has hosted a ton of different awards shows in the past and done really well, so if he doesn’t do well at the Oscars, despite clearly knowing how to host, I think it says more about the Oscars than it does about who hosts them. That’s why the Golden Globes are so much more fun: it’s a more laid-back environment where people are getting drunk and making fun of themselves. There’s so much seriousness with the Oscars that a lot of comedy is going to inevitably feel out of place and fall flat. I don’t blame NPH for not wanting to host again. It’s a thankless job.
Black Pegasus
Good! Just please go sit your azz down somewhere! I see more stories on Neil Patrick Harris than needed. Actor Matt Bomer [who is gay] is far more hotter than NPH, yet we don’t see Matt running to every camera like a desperate attention whore.
IvanPH
I thought he was good. But that predicting the Oscars gag was a disaster.
lauraspencer
What I find odd is that he keeps talking about it. I don’t recall Seth McFarlane , Ellen Degeneres, Chris Rock. John Stewart, Billy Crystal, David Letterman, et. al. making excuses for their performances. 3 weeks later and he is still yammering on about this?? Let it go…
He was highly compensated and has been in the business for over 30 years. He should have known better what it takes to entertain an audience. He did not. He wasn’t the right guy for the job. It happens in every industry.
Kathukid
Stick with the Tony’s. You are fabulous and the Oscars always stink, no matter the host.
dhmonarch89
He DEFINITELY needed better writers! The guy who writes/produces The Flash and Arrow, Greg Berlanti- Robbie Rogers’ ex, was the head writer….sorry, but teen driven comic based shows are good for what they are, but they aren’t really Oscar calliber. They need Daily Show/Tonight Show type writers- more sophisticated and topical…plus, the Birdman spoof fell flat for the home audience, because 9% of us hadn’t seen Birdman. We all know Neil can be a great host- maybe he choked because this was the Big One!
dhmonarch89
Sorry- that’s 99%….and I’m SICK of the ‘SLOW Down…’ thing coming up- you should be grateful people want to post here!
MarionPaige
It looked like Harris went into the Oscars assuming that he would kill it, he didn’t read the room. When Oprah showed that she didn’t get why Harris used her name in a joke, Harris said: “Because you’re rich”. I doubt that writers wrote that response to a joke not working.
And, that underwear stunt was pure masturbation, I could see Harris wanting to do it but a whole lot of people had to allow him to do it. There is too much emphasis put on the Host of the Oscars anyway. No one tunes in for the Host. What really makes the Oscars is when much loved movies and actors are in play – not who hosts
Doughosier
You really need a stand up comedian for that job. I could see NPH’s desperation at times. Comedians learn how to hide that and deal with any kind of crowd.
lauraspencer
@ dhmonarch89
Neil Patrick Harris was one of the writers. So if he has anyone to blame it is Berlanti and himself. He had say in the script.
dhmonarch89
@lauraspencer:
true! but ever since I said the site should be lucky people post here, they’re moderating my responses- what a bunch of thin skinned a’wads!
Jacob23
@lauraspencer: You are a troll or an idiot. He has barely talked about it. He sent out one tweet the day after, and now he has given this interview. And the Oscars hosting gig is notorious for being poorly compensated. A moron like yourself might equate the glitz of the event with compensation, but it ain’t so. The producers feel that the host gets compensated by getting exposure to a huge audience, so the pay is comparatively crappy.
sfbeast
He was awful. Luckily, I watched the recorded version on my DVR the next day and fast forwarded thru most of it. That underwear joke was just embarrassing. And his opening song wasn’t good. While at the Tony’s his opening number was amazing. The Oscars should have a trap door so that anyone who goes on too long with their speech gets dropped thru the floor. Better than them fighting to keep speaking over the music.
lauraspencer
@Jacob23….No I’m not a troll or an idiot. I went to Syracuse University and graduated with a BS Degree from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications Summa Cum Laude majoring in Television/Radio/Film Writing. For close to 20 years I have worked in TV and film production and currently hold the title of Executive Producer on several shows. What experience do you have to know so much about the entertainment industry?
As for the paycheck I’m not sure what you consider “poorly compensated”. Maybe you make millions of dollars so the Academy pay might not satisfy you, but do remember NPH wasn’t drafted into serving as host. If he didn’t want the role he could have declined. If DANCING WITH THE STARS pays about $200,000 per celeb I have a feeling that the Oscars pay more and it is less work. You also have to remember it always isn’t about cash. As one of the most-watched television events in the world (the ceremony is broadcast in some 150 countries), whoever hosts is raising their international profile, which can translate to more work, more paychecks, etc. In the case of NPH it would have provided him with promotion for his new variety show on NBC this year….if he had done a good job. After seeing his performance on the Oscars I imagine some viewers will not tune into the NBC show.
I will repeat, I don’t see why he needs to talk about an event 3 weeks ago. It’s over.
xzall
He’s talking about it because he was asked about it in an interview in the Huffington Post. For those who have a problem with that maybe you should contact the Huffington Post editors and inform them on what questions you think is appropriate.
List of questions asked in the article: They asked about the dress, The How I Met Your Mother Finale(which happened months ago), Lady Gaga on American Horror Story, Laser tag and of course about the Oscars.
And the fact of the matter is that there’s no host that ever gets praised for doing the Oscars. All the armchair critics declare it’s a disaster until the next year happens along with a new host. Seth Mcfarlane, James Franco, Anne Hathaway, David Letterman, Chevy Chase, Chris Rock were some who bombed.
The only recent host I think who people loved was Hugh Jackman.
Saint Law
@Jacob23: “You’re a troll or an idiot…”
@lauraspencer: “No I’m not a troll or an idiot. I went to Syracuse University…”
This exchange made me laugh out loud.
lauraspencer
@xzall…
There have been two successful hosts for the oscars over the years….Bob Hope and Billy Crystal. They both served as the master of ceremonies numerous times due to the industry and the viewing audience embracing them. Hope has served as host over 10 times and Crystal about 5. They wouldn’t have been asked back if they didn’t receive praise for their work.
Happy Friday.
Captain Obvious
@Black Pegasus: Matt has a real solid acting career while NPH’s was basically saved by being social and out there.
Both are talented actors, but NPH basically became the Kim Kardashian of the acting world to save his career.
I can’t exactly blame him though because his sexuality almost did end his career during the gay witch hunts. I do think at this point when he’s already saved it he really could sit his butt down and let the calls come to him rather than trying to be on camera all the time thinking he’ll be forgotten.
He has straight females going crazy over him in droves. Gay guys… not so much.
CCTR
@Captain Obvious: hating on NPH why?
Bob LaBlah
I love the guy, but I must add this did come off as his last Oscar show. He looked as though he too is tired of doing it. The only problem is, who’s next? There is a lot riding on that show. I thought Chris Rock did an excellent job a few years back.
Kangol
He’s usually funny but he was horrible as the Oscars’ host, so do your family a favor and spare the rest of us, NPH.
Giancarlo85
@lauraspencer: Ignore Jacob. He acts that way towards everyone he doesn’t like.