Neil Patrick Harris To Host Tony Awards Once Again

Neil Patrick Harris speaks on stage during the 65th Annual Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on June 12, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)

"Here's some cool news," Neil Patrick Harris tweeted Monday evening, directing fans to the news that he will return as host of the Tony Awards this year.

His tweet linked to a New York Times footnote announcing that he will run the show for the third time. Harris first hosted the Tonys in 2009, and again in 2011, injecting new life into an awards show not typically followed by a TV audience.

His efforts in 2011 were mostly well-received -- the Los Angeles Times called the "How I Met Your Mother" star a "wickedly witty" host, in a show "sprinkled liberally with TV stars to keep mainstream audiences interested." The show roped in 6.9 million viewers, which, while not a big increase over the year previous, saw a 9 percent increase in younger audiences (the 18-49-year-old crowd).

"I'm thrilled to be a part of this year's Tony Awards,” Harris said in a statement. “Not only will I be shining a spotlight on the best that Broadway has to offer, but hopefully I'll score some free house seats to a show or 5."

The Tony Award nominations will be announced on May 1 in a live webcast at the Tony Awards website. This awards will broadcast live on CBS from the Beacon Theater in New York on June 10 at 8/7c.

Watch Harris' "Broadway’s not just for gays anymore" opening number at the 2011 Tony Awards:

Comments

[fredimessina]

10:28 AM on 04/04/2012

He has a great love for Broadway and he makes a great host!!! Good for him!!!

[ActaNonVerbaNow]

03:49 AM on 04/04/2012

Is it me or did he not become really popular again until he said he's Gay? I think being known as Gay, in Hollywood, is an asset more than a liability.

[Amalek]

11:31 PM on 04/03/2012

This guy looks like a grown up Doogie Houser.

[pecosdog]

10:04 PM on 04/03/2012

Isn't that the guy who goes around branding prostitutes?

[bigshotprof]

09:08 PM on 04/03/2012

He likes doing it and they like having him, so it sounds perfect. He gave a really good discussion of why hosting the Tonys is better than hosting the Oscars when he was interviewed by The Nerdist.

[HollandReid]

07:19 PM on 04/03/2012

This makes me sooooo happy and EXCITED to watch the Tony Awards! I hope the Academy takes notes!!!

[Hardyman1966]

05:03 PM on 04/03/2012

Forget about Oscar.  Last year's Tonys was smart, fun, and loaded with music.  All the Oscars have is a red carpet throw rug...

[playflute2]

04:55 PM on 04/03/2012

Excellent. Might cause me to actually watch the show. Didn't last year, soooo maybe.

[ItsPolitical]

03:12 PM on 04/03/2012

Noo! Why is Neil Patrick Harris hosting the Tony awards AGAIN? First the Oscars were barely watchable, now this!? What's happening to the love of Arts and Culture in our country? This saddens me.

[ethiopia1a]

02:54 PM on 04/03/2012

Yea I love him hosting he does a great job, just be sure to bring in Hugh Jackman too!

[happyfella73]

12:49 PM on 04/03/2012

The 2011 opening was hands down the best TONY show opener EVER. Love the Neil!

[tef59]

12:40 PM on 04/03/2012

*sigh* what a loss for us women....he's HOT

[Lechiffre]

06:20 PM on 04/03/2012

You can still have Rosie O'donnell.

[tef59]

03:16 PM on 04/04/2012

??? what a stupid irrelevant response...

[Pogoda]

11:59 AM on 04/03/2012

http://youtu.be/H3w1PGJPslE so sweet! I'm so glad I saw this wedding!!!

[lindarae]

11:51 AM on 04/03/2012

Such a great choice! Only one of the award shows worth watching and Neil Patrick Harris is a major reason why.

[TeeSC]

11:45 AM on 04/03/2012

Love him... love him...love him...