QUICK TAKES - July 14, 2009

Neil Patrick Harris, who has twice been nominated for an Emmy for his portrayal of Barney Stinson, the lovable ladies’ man on “How I Met Your Mother,” will host the Emmys on CBS on Sept. 20.

Harris, who earned critical praise for his hosting of the Tony Awards in June, follows last year’s experiment in which the five reality TV show host nominees led the broadcast as a group.

“After having had such a hoot hosting the Tonys, I was thrilled to get the call about the prime-time Emmys,” Harris said in a news release issued by CBS.

-- Maria Elena Fernandez