Two years ago, after Neil Patrick Harris delivered standout turns as host of The TV Land Awards and, for CBS, the much bigger stage of the 2009 Tony Awards, I wrote the following sentence of praise: "If Justin Timberlake doesn't want to be the guy to single-handedly save the TV variety show, maybe Neil Patrick Harris does." And now, it turns out, there's no "maybe" about it. He wants the job -- and CBS should be the network to give it to him...
When Harris was a guest on CBS's The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson last Friday, Ferguson casually remarked that Harris would be really good at hosting a TV talk show. Harris thanked him, but revealed he had another secret TV-related career goal in mind.
"I want to do an Ed Sullivan-y kind of show, with all the variety acts," he told Ferguson -- which launched them into a discussion of whether a variety show could work on TV in the 21st century. Ferguson was doubtful, but Harris said that if the featured acts did only the best of their best, it'd be as addictive as You-Tube.
"I wonder if today's TV audience is going to accept it -- even from you, Neil," Ferguson said, sounding like a wise uncle.
"Well," Harris replied, smiling and shrugging, "I don't have a show that does it, so I have no idea."
Actually, Harris has HALF an idea. The variety show as You Tube, with fast-paced bits of truly varied acts of entertainment, should be one element of a reinvented variety show. The other part, though, isn't to emulate Ed Sullivan, a talentless host who just booked and introduce acts.
Harris should think more along the lines of the classic musical-comedy variety shows, where there were comedy sketches and musical segments as well, and where guests, after performing solo, interacted with their hosts.
Neil Patrick Harris, if I may be so bold, should think along the lines of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.
Harris is a wonderful singer -- I saw him on Broadway in Assassins and Cabaret, and can't wait to see him sing Company in New York in April -- and a razor-sharp comic actor, which he's proven time and time again on screens large and small.
Who wouldn't want to come on TV and romp in his playground?
CBS should begin with one star-studded special, with the understanding that if ratings are good -- and they would be -- it's a quarterly gig, which Harris ought to manage while his How I Met Your Mother sitcom remains in production. And CBS should shoot for the moon, and schedule it on Sunday nights, just where Ed Sullivan reigned for decades.
Neil Patrick Harris has delivered a Monday night sitcom hit for CBS, and has behaved impeccably, like an ambassador of quality entertainment (hosting the Tonys! The Emmys! Guest-starring on Glee! Starring in Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog!).
Compare that, CBS, to another of your Monday-night sitcom stars, who was just fired for very public misbehavior. Then ask yourself: Which one has given you a CBS Black Eye, and which one deserves to have his showbiz wish come true?
It's a wish that could give you another strong hit -- and slotted after 60 Minutes, the perfect lead-in, how could you not roll the dice and try?
Neil Patrick Harris deserves his shot at reviving the TV variety show. And you know what? Audiences deserve it, too.
I told you so in 2009... and now Harris agrees.
Your move, CBS.