Like everyone else, we’re big fans of How I Met Your Mother star — and host of Sunday’s Tony awards! — Neil Patrick Harris, so we told him so when our paths crossed at last night’s American Theater Wing Spring Gala at Cipriani. (“Ah nice, thanks. I’ll try not to be an asshole,†he told us.) And since he promised to be nice, we asked how his hosting will compare to that of previous emcees — specifically, how will Harris stack up to undisputed award-hosting champion Hugh Jackman? “I have lots to ask Hugh,†he said. “He’s eclipsed everyone in the hosting world. He’s the new [Billy] Crystal.â€
But don’t expect NPH to follow in Jackman’s footsteps — “Dancing is not my forte,†Harris told us, sadly. And there probably won’t be any Jackman-like nudity either: “Why in the world would I strip at the Tonys? Maybe because of Hair. No, I leave that for the hippies.â€
Even so, Harris has one very important vote of confidence — from the man himself! “He’s a very funny guy,†said Hugh Jackman, who was there serving as the evening’s honorary chair, when we asked if he had any Tonys-hosting advice. “He’ll do better than me. He shouldn’t listen to anything I say.â€
View our Party Lines slideshow.