Decked in a cutting-edge maroon suit, Neil Patrick Harris hosted the 65th Annual Emmy Awards. Harris did not overpower the show, nor did he open with a cheesy theatrical number as many had expected. Instead, he waited until the halfway point to show his dancing skills. 

Most award show openings are heavy on puns and jokes. The “How I Met Your Mother” actor began the show in a dizzy room surrounded by TV screens where he would respond to actors. Aside from a Paula Deen reference or two, the rest of Harris’s opening involved former hosts Jane Lynch, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, and Conan O’Brien. However, Kevin Spacey basically acted out a “House of Cards” scene commenting on how he plans to undermine the people that “promised” him a hosting gig.  

Overall, Harris’s opening was almost stolen by other stars. It is a moment that defines the host and sets a tone for the evening; it simply left audiences focused on Emmy’s past. With a host as lively and charismatic as Harris, the opening was surprisingily average.

However, there was a bit of a redemption in store for Harris—his theatrical performance in the middle of the show. He sang that the “number in the middle is something new.” Overall, this was an excellent decision on their part to place it during the halfway point. Emmy Gold dancers provided backup, as well as Nathan Fillion and Sarah Silverman performing beside him. 

The dancing didn’t stop there.  To show the “Best Choreography” category, teams of dancers performed numbers that were a take on popular shows. It was a dorky, but creative way to introduce the category. It was heartwarming to see Harris surprise the choreographers in a behind-the-scenes feature, telling them they would have a number in the show. 

There was even a commercial during the broadcast that poked fun at Harris for having “Excessive Hosting Disorder” by his “How I Met Your Mother” co-stars. After all, he has hosted the Emmys twice and the Tonys four times. As they said, he would be the perfect canidate for the "Ryan Seacrest Center For Excessive Hosting."

Overall, Harris was a quality host for this year’s Emmys. He didn’t overshadow the show, yet he created an enjoyable atmosphere for audiences. He let the stars have their moments and added enough CBS plugs to make the network happy. Jokes were few and far between, but Harris worked with what small time he was given. 

It wasn't as "flashy" as his when he hosts the Tonys, yet it was more professional than his 2009 Emmys gig. In the end, Harris can do no wrong. 

Remember to check out Neon Tommy's full coverage of the 2013 Emmys here.

Reach Staff Reporter Jillian Morabito here.