According to BroadwayWorld.com’s Rialto Chatter, they’re hearing that Neil is set to direct 3 performances of Rent at the Hollywood Bowl.  The show is due to take place from 6-8 August this year, as part of the Hollywood Bowl’s summer programme. The cast and further details will be announced at a later date.

You can watch a behind the scenes first look at Neil in Batman: Under the Red Hood here. Neil appears in the second of two videos, if you want to watch the first one, it’s here.

Neil has been nominated for best Performance in a Comedy Series at the Prism awards, an awards ceremony to honor “media that address issues related to drug, alcohol, tobacco use, mental illness, bipolar disorder, depression and suicide”. HIMYM has also been nominated in the Best Comedy Series category, for the “Last Cigarette Ever” episode.

Posted by: Rach at 12:05 pm | · Filed under: Theatre | Comment
Tags: Awards & Nominations, Batman: Under the Red Hood, Directing, Rent, TV: HIMYM, Video Update |

If you were watching the Superbowl last night, you will have seen Barney Stinson inviting you to call him. If you called the number during the Superbowl, you’ll have heard Neil’s voice and this recorded message:

“That, Lebron, is how you shoot a free throw. Hey, Barney Stinson speaking. A recording? No, this is really me! Anyway, glad you called ’cause you sound really special. Let’s get to know each other. What are your hobbies? Oh my god, I like that too! Wow, I’m really feeling a connection here. You know, I never do this but what the heck. Let’s meet up at MacLaren’s Bar at oh, say, 3:45 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 12, 2016. I can’t wait to meet you. I love you.”

It has been pointed out by a few people that there are some inaccuracies in the message – Lebron James & free throw is a basketball term, and Monday October 12th 2016 is a Wednesday. Based on Barney’s previous history – his “dear resident” letter from Ted Mosby, Architect for one – I’d say both of these things are on purpose, and I’d guess it’s not the first time Barney has used this message! Expect a reference to this in tonight’s last new episode of HIMYM before the Winter Olympics. ETA: People have mentioned that everybody who called got a different random date. So it was probably incorrect on purpose because it was randomized.

You can listen to a recording of the message here.

Posted by: Rach at 9:59 am | · Filed under: HIMYM | Comment
Tags: CBS, cross-promotion, Super Bowl, TV: HIMYM |

Now for the news roundup I promised:

• Michael Ausiello from Entertainment Weekly reports that CBS has signed off on Neil’s guest appearance on FOX’s Glee. The only remaining hurdle is making sure that it can fit into Neil’s already hectic schedule!
• Popeater is reporting that Neil is being lined up to star in a new revival of “Barnum” on Broadway. Neil has talked many times about his interest in that role, though he has stated that he’s still too young for it. This new report reveals that Neil is the producer’s “only choice” – what isn’t clear, however, is the timescale in question. It’s likely this won’t be taking place imminently, but simply that whenever it does, Neil is a shoe-in for the part.
• The Superbowl is on CBS this year (this coming Sunday, Feb 7) and there’s some HIMYM related cross-promotion happening on Twitter. Craig and Carter go into a little more detail in this interview from the time of the 100th episode promotion.
• The Best and the Brightest, which Neil shot this summer, is now on Twitter and you can become a fan on Facebook. They’re calling it a “social media explosion” and they’ve been posting pictures and holding contests so far, so check them out!

Finally, there’s a lot of talk in the media that Neil should replace Simon Cowell as a full time judge on American Idol when he leaves at the end of this season. His guest stint was loved by the critics, but what do you think about him taking on the role full time? I think that without Simon, and knowing that Neil is good friends with both Ellen and Kara, there might not be enough differences of opinion to keep it interesting. And that’s before you even think about working it into his schedule, especially now with the news that HIMYM has been renewed for season 6.

Posted by: Rach at 7:58 am | · Filed under: HIMYM, TV Appearances | Comment
Tags: Barnum, Broadway, CBS, Rumours, Superbowl, The Best and the Brightest, TV Appearances, TV: American Idol, TV: Glee, TV: HIMYM, Twitter |

The Hollywood Reporter confirms that CBS has officially picked up How I Met Your Mother for a sixth season, hot on the heels of Craig & Carter signing a 3 year development deal with 20th Century Fox.

Posted by: Rach at 8:45 am | · Filed under: HIMYM | Comment
Tags: TV: HIMYM |

As part of the Television Critics Association winter press tour, journalists visited the HIMYM set yesterday, sitting in on the table read for episode 16, “Hooked”, as well as a press conference. At the press conference, talk turned to Dr Horrible 2, and SciFiWire reports on what Neil had to say.

“I keep sort of asking him if it’s going to happen, if there’s going to be any kind of Dr. Horrible-ness,” Harris said in a press conference Monday on the set of his CBS comedy How I Met Your Mother in Los Angeles. “They’re anxious to do it, but scheduling becomes the tricky issue.”

Harris’ sitcom leaves him only a few months between seasons to shoot other projects: enough time to shoot a movie or a Web series or even a Web series adapted as a movie, as Whedon has hinted.

But Whedon and company would have to have a script ready pretty quick to secure Harris. “We have from April till August off, which isn’t a huge window,” Harris said. “That’s kind of coming pretty soon, so I wouldn’t expect it to happen this hiatus.” That would mean we’d have to wait until late next year for Horrible 2.

Posted by: Rach at 8:14 pm | · Filed under: Dr Horrible's Sing-Along Blog | Comment
Tags: Dr Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, Rumours, TV: HIMYM |

Zap2it have posted up an interview & video from the 100th episode event at the Paley Center last week, discussing Neil’s HIMYM directing gig.

Neil directs the 101st episode, “Jenkins”, which airs tonight on CBS at 8/7c.

Posted by: Rach at 4:52 pm | · Filed under: HIMYM | Comment
Tags: Directing, Interviews: Online, Public Appearances, TV: HIMYM, zap2it |

The HIMYM cast have filmed a newly released PSA for the TJ Martell Foundation, one of the world’s primary funders of innovative, early stage cancer and AIDS research that leads to practical, effective treatments in the near term.

To donate $5 for the fight against cancer, text TJ to 90999. The one-time donation will be added to your monthly phone bill.

Posted by: Rach at 11:19 am | · Filed under: HIMYM | Comment
Tags: PSA, TV: HIMYM |

A couple of new interviews this morning! Firstly there’s one at the NY Post’s PopWrap, where they spoke to Neil as the culmination of a week of speaking to the HIMYM cast. He talks about HIMYM’s 100th episode and his directing stint, Glee, and when we’re likely to see Doctor Horrible 2, amongst other things!

PW: With tonight’s 100th episode, I have to ask — what’s your favorite?
NPH: It might sound glib, but I think standing on top of a taxi cab in front of 60 people wearing well-tailored suits, spinning around like a rockstar definitely takes the cake. It’s a close race filming on “The Price is Right” soundstage with Bob Barker though. That one made me squeal!

PW: You’re a big “Price is Right” fan from what I’ve read.
NPH: Well, yeah, I mean, everybody thinks they’ll be on “The Price is Right” one day. I was no different than anyone else, but I was an actor on a show, so I did think that precluded me from being chosen by the producers who pick the people to run down the aisle.

Click here to read the rest!

Neil has also been talking to the San Francisco Chronicle about his participation in the upcoming SF Sketchfest.

Posted by: Rach at 11:04 am | · Filed under: Events | 1 Comment
Tags: Directing, Dr Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, Event: SF Sketchfest, Improv, Interviews: Online, TV: HIMYM |

“Nothing Suits Me Like A Suit”, the musical number from HIMYM’s 100th episode, is available to purchase on iTunes ahead of the episode’s premiere this coming Monday. It’s available internationallyas well as in the US – this link is to the UK store, where the song costs £0.79 – and has a 2 minute 50 second runtime.

Also newly available is an official audio copy of the Commentary! The Musical soundtrack. It too is available internationally on iTunes and as an MP3 download from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com.

We’ve added a selection of photos from the 100th episode celebration held at the Paley Centre on Thursday night to our gallery, and you can watch the cast being introduced in this YouTube video.

The cast have been hitting the promotional circuit ahead of the landmark episode, and there are various behind-the-scenes clips and interviews around, in addition to the Entertainment Tonight video we linked earlier this week. The following articles all contain some spoilers for the “Girls vs Suits”: ChicagoNow has a short interview which includes the first 40 seconds of the musical number, TVOvermind have internationally viewable versions of all the CBS behind-the scenes videos, Zap2it talk to Neil and the rest of the cast, as do IGN.

Eonline’s Kristin Dos Santos caught up with Neil and the rest of the cast at the Paley event, while The Futon Critic and The TV Addict both provide fantastic recaps.

Finally, Neil will join Snoop Dog and Niecy Nash in stopping by the Wanda Sykes show tonight, at 11/10c on Fox.

Posted by: Rach at 7:10 pm | · Filed under: HIMYM | Comment
Tags: Dr Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, Gallery Update, Interviews: Online, Interviews: TV, iTunes, Public Appearances, TV Appearances, TV: HIMYM |

ET Online have put up a nice piece on Monday’s 100th episode, including a video clip which interviews Neil and the rest of the cast.

“Barney Stinson has shagged many a type of Betty … many different professions and varieties, but he has never shagged a hot bartender,” Neil tells ET. “He has to sleep with her. She, in turn, refuses to date guys who wear suits, from a past relationship. And, so, he takes it upon himself to have to choose between her or suits.”

The musical tribute is part of the celebration of the 100th episode of the CBS series, which also guest stars Rachel Bilson and Tim Gunn, playing himself.

Don’t forget that you can catch Neil on Jimmy Kimmel tonight at 12.05am/11.05pm central, and the People’s Choice awards air tonight on CBS from 9/8c. Neil, Alyson and the show are all nominated.

Posted by: Rach at 11:48 am | · Filed under: HIMYM | Comment
Tags: Awards & Nominations, Entertainment Tonight, Interviews: Online, Interviews: TV, TV Appearances, TV: HIMYM, TV: Jimmy Kimmel |