If you haven’t seen already over the last few days, it was announced that the final main role in the the NPH-directed production of Rent has gone to former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger. She will play Maureen, alongside already cast Aaron Tveit, Skylar Astin, Vanessa Hudgens, Wayne Brady and more. ContactMusic has a few words from Neil on Nicole’s casting. The ensemble has also been announced, and comprises of Yassmin Alers, Eric B. Anthony, King Aswad, Susan Beaubian, David Burtka, Kathy Deitch, Sam Given, Rachael Harris, Tricia Kelly, Ethan Le Phong, Kristolyn Lloyd, Zarah Mahler, Laura Mixon, Jason Paige, MiRi Park, and Brandon Wardell.

“Nicole had a wonderful audition – she was well prepared, sang beautifully, and had us all laughing. If only she was somewhat attractive and didn’t have two left feet… I’m very excited to have finally finished the casting process, and look forward to rolling up my sleeves and start rehearsing.”

Neil guest co-hosted this morning’s Live with Regis & Kelly alongside Kelly Ripa, sitting in for Regis Philbin. The “host chat” segment is online now – Neil and Kelly discussed David’s surprise birthday party, his decision to cast Vanessa Hudgens in Rent and the Smurfs, amongst other things, and you can watch the video below.

Last week, Neil and David went to see Stuffed and Unstrung, and you can see a gallery of their visit with the cast (both human and puppet) here on Playbill.com.

Posted by: Rach at 2:51 pm | · Filed under: Theatre | Comment
Tags: David Burtka, Directing, Hollywood Bowl, Rent, Theatre, TV: Live with Regis & Kelly |

After yesterday’s announcement of the Hot 100 list, AfterElton.com have posted up comments from some of the people on the list. Click here to read in full what Neil, David and some of the other members of the Hot 100 think about their placing on the list.

Holy Pete, a repeat!?!Thanks for the votes, gentlemen.  I don’t quite know how to respond  - it’s always fun to be on the top of a pile of hot dudes?  No, umm - it IS a lot more enjoyable the second time you do it?  No, no.  How about – I’ve always fantasized having these 99 guys behind me?  Truly, though, the fact that David and I both made this list means a lot.  Mainly, it means that there will be some enthusiastic role playing tonight.  So thanks for that.  ~ Neil Patrick Harris

Thank you to all who voted for me. How you knew that I have been running a fever lately is beyond me. I would especially like to thank my publicist Neil Patrick Harris. ~ David Burtka

BroadwayWorld has a five minute interview with Neil about his upcoming appearance on Glee. There are also interviews with Joss and members of the cast.

Glee: The Music, Volume 3 - ”Showstoppers” is out today in Deluxe and Regular versions, and features Neil & Matthew Morrison singing “Dream On” from tonight’s episode. The episode, also called “Dream On”, airs tonight at 9/8c on FOX.

Posted by: Rach at 11:56 am | · Filed under: News | Comment
Tags: AfterElton, BroadwayWorld, David Burtka, Interviews: Online, TV: Glee, Video |

Neil has come in at number one in AfterElton’s Hot 100 poll for the second year in a row, beating new entry Scott Evans into second place. Another new entry this year is David Burtka, who placed at #98!

Keep an eye on the site today, as they’ll be posting some quotes from the men honoured, including Neil.

Posted by: Rach at 9:30 am | · Filed under: Awards & Nominations | Comment
Tags: AfterElton, Awards & Nominations, David Burtka |

Neil has done another pre-Sketchfest interview, this time with San Jose Mercury News. It was most likely conducted a couple of weeks ago as he mentions being in the running for Gay Man of the Decade, rather than winning it. You can check the whole interview out here!

How did you learn about San Francisco Sketchfest and how did you become involved?
Janet Varney is a very close friend of mine. She’s one of the three founders (with Cole Stratton and David Owen) and I’m a wild fan of hers. So I do whatever she tells me to do. I think it’s an amazing feat that these three people take on so much.

How do you know Janet?
Dave (Burtka), my better half, was in “On the Lot,” which was a competition reality show to find the next great director — a thing that Steven Spielberg produced. Janet and David were both actors on the show. They got to hang out and get to know each other, and we obviously all started hanging out. She and (boyfriend) Chris Hardwick — they’re hilarious together. I just like watching them perform around a dinner table.

Are there any performers at Sketchfest you’re especially excited about?
A John Hodgman. I just worked on a movie with him. And I got him to be the voice-over announcer on the Emmys.

When they announce the winner, you have a voice-over person say, “This is Michael’s third nomination.” I thought it would be fun to have John Hodgman do made-up ones like, “This is Khan’s second win; he was raised by packs of wolves.” I kind of wanted it to be one of those TiVo moments, with John in a booth making stuff up.

Joss Whedon, who directed you in “Dr. Horrible,” called you “the Sinatra of TV.” Time magazine called you the “icon of cool masculinity.” You really seem to be having fun with the kind of buzz you’ve generated from how your career has most recently unfolded.
I don’t take any of it to heart. Apparently, I’m in the running for gay man of the decade. Everyone’s looking for something to say about people and I’m flattered that what they say about me is generally positive. It’s been a lovely year. You try to represent yourself as best you can and execute as well as you can.

Posted by: Rach at 10:47 am | · Filed under: Interviews | Comment
Tags: David Burtka, Event: SF Sketchfest, Interviews: Online |

Neil is on the cover of this month’s CBS Watch Magazine. It features a lengthy interview with Neil and David as they travelled around Europe earlier this year, and a lovely photoshoot to go with it. Thanks to entwashian from LiveJournal for allowing us to use her lovely scans in the gallery – you can see them here.

CBS Watch Magazine is available as a free subscription from the CBS Watch Magazine website if you live in the United States. If you don’t (like us!) then you’re (officially) out of luck, though there are a number of copies available on eBay.

Posted by: Rach at 2:33 pm | · Filed under: Interviews | 3 Comments
Tags: CBS, David Burtka, Gallery Update, Interviews: Print, Magazines |

Neil’s episode of Top Chef Masters airs this Wednesday, July 8th, on Bravo at 10pm. Eonline have posted some sneak peek video clips (or click here if you’re outside of the US).

Posted by: Rach at 10:42 pm | · Filed under: TV Appearances | 2 Comments
Tags: David Burtka, TV Appearances, TV: Top Chef Masters |

LA Weekly blogger Gendy Alimurung also attended Neil and David’s exhibition of art, and you can read her article here.

“Careful,” he warns when several women move to check out his bookshelves. “One of those cabinets is full of porn.”

A few words on Neil Patrick Harris’ office: Best. Office. Ever. Dark and spooky but kinda silly. It contains an original 1968 plaque from Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion, and a Medusa-head lenticular “changing portrait” from the same. A bride doll with a beating red heart glows on the floor.

Neil was at the CBS Upfront presentation in New York yesterday. There are some photos in the gallery, and you can read about his part of the presentation in this article.

“Article 157, a good way for a bro to get a get in the mood at the CBS party is to suddenly mention the dirtiest sounding CBS shows. These include, but are not limited to ‘The Bing Bang Theory’ and ‘69 Minutes.’”

Posted by: Rach at 10:43 am | · Filed under: Events | Comment
Tags: David Burtka, Gallery Update, Public Appearances, TV: HIMYM |

Laurie Pike from LAMag.com recently had the chance to attend a very special event – an art exhibition at Neil & David’s home in Studio City, CA. She posted up a blog about it yesterday, which you can read here.

eonline are having their annual “Tater Tops Awards”, and Neil (or Barney) are eligible in many categories, so cast your nomination votes!

Video roundup: The HIMYM finale aired on Monday night, and CBS have a spoilery interview with Neil and Josh regarding the finale here, so if you haven’t seen the episode yet, don’t watch the interview! You can watch the short scene from the Family Guy finale which Neil, Josh and Jason provided voiceover work for on Hulu if you’re in the US. ABC News have an interview with Neil from the day he was handing out chocolate in Times Square, and if you haven’t seen his interview on the Rachael Ray Show yet, you can watch it on her website. And finally, Neil appears in episode 8 of the Rock of Ages cast mockumentary, “The Haunting of the Brooks Atkinson Theater” Part 2.

Posted by: Rach at 11:19 am | · Filed under: Events | Comment
Tags: Awards & Nominations, David Burtka, Events, Interviews: Online, Interviews: TV, TV Appearances, TV: HIMYM, Video Update, Voting |

We’ve got updates galore in the gallery in the last week or so – with pictures from the Writer’s Guild Awards, the Levi’s pre-Oscars “Milk” party for Dustin Lance Black and Gus Van Sant, and last night’s 6th Annual Global Green pre-Oscars party. We’ve also added caps from Neil’s 1988 movie Purple People Eater.

Other snippets of news: CBS’s press release for the March 9th HIMYM episode “Sorry, Bro”, reveals that David Burtka will again be appearing as Scooter, as well as Cobie’s fiance Taran Killam reprising his role as Marshall’s colleague Blauman.

Neil and David were in the audience for Tuesday’s American Idol – caps are on their way to the gallery for that.

Neil (along with David, and anybody else who’s been on Broadway ever, pretty much) answered BroadwayWorld.com’s Valentine’s Day question: What’s the Most Romantic Broadway Love Song Ever? Neil’s answer displays a Barney Stinson-esque use of the “possimpible” technique:  “Love Has Come Of Age” from the JEKYLL & HYDE album with Colm Wilkinson. His voice is phenomimazing! I’ve always dreamed of that song being sung at my wedding, but only if Colm’ll sing it himself. Probably a long shot…”

Finally, keep an eye on MagicNewsWire over the next few days – we’ve had a heads up from Dodd Vickers that he’s just finished editing an audio interview with Neil and we can expect it on the site soon. They chat about “everything from his love of magic and role as a member of the Board of Directors of the Magic Castle to Dr. Horrible.”

Posted by: Rach at 1:59 pm | · Filed under: Events | Comment
Tags: David Burtka, Events, Gallery Update, Interviews: Online, Magic, TV Appearances, TV: American Idol, TV: HIMYM |