Neil Patrick Harris, Greg Kinnear, other stars come out for CNN awards for everyday heroes

September 21st, 2009 Slight ratings increase for the Emmy AwardsNEW YORK — Neil Patrick Harris did for the Emmy Awards what he did for the Tonys earlier this year: increase the award show's audience over the previous year. The Emmys on Sunday rebounded from last year's all-time low viewership total, adding a million more people to a total of 13.3 million, according to The Nielsen Co.

September 21st, 2009 Emmy host NEIL PATRICK HARRIS took aim at KANYE WEST for ruining TAYLOR SWIFT's big moment at the MTV Video Music Awards - warning winners at Sunday's (20Sep09) ceremony to look out for stage invaders before picking up their prize. The rapper has been chastised by a host of celebrities for storming the stage at the VMAs to protest Taylor Swift's Best Female Video win last week (13Sep09).

September 21st, 2009 American TV star JEFF PROBST bowed down to new Emmy host NEIL PATRICK HARRIS at the 61st annual ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday (20Sep09), admitting he botched his presenting duties last year (08). Survivor star Probst and fellow reality TV personalities American Idol's Ryan Seacrest, Project Runway's Heidi Klum, Dancing with the Stars' Tom Bergeron and Deal or No Deal's Howie Mandel faced harsh criticism from their fellow celebrities after putting on lacklustre skits and song-and-dance numbers last September.

September 20th, 2009 Actors Kanye-cracking at the 61st EmmysHeard at the 61th annual Primetime Emmy Awards: "It is an amazing time to work in TV. And, I know that everything is changing, but I'm not afraid of it because I feel like all these different media is just more choice and more entertainment.

September 20th, 2009 Harris is a prize as host of Emmy Awards broadcast NEW YORK — Isn't it time to name Neil Patrick Harris to a Cabinet position as Secretary of Cool? As host of Sunday's prime-time Emmy broadcast, he offered up persuasive evidence that he can bring new waves of cool to the stalest of institutions — like the Emmys. Aired live by CBS from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, the Emmycast with Harris in charge not only was remarkably stylish, fun and brisk but could even make viewers forget last year's disastrous format with five hosts, none of whom could rise to the occasion.

September 16th, 2009 'It' host Neil Patrick Harris takes on the EmmysLOS ANGELES — If only one awards show host at a time holds the "it" title, then the current darling is Neil Patrick Harris. Harris entered the big leagues with this year's Tony Awards, using his musical theater skills and easy charm to win over the audience and critics.

August 26th, 2009 SIMON COWELL has roped in a bizarre choice of celebrity judge on AMERICAN IDOL - TV actor NEIL PATRICK HARRIS. Following former panellist Paula Abdul's shock departure from the hit U.S.

August 13th, 2009 The organisers of the upcoming Emmy Awards have scrapped plans to pre-record a number of the presentations. Bosses at the Academy of Television Arts And Sciences came under fire from Hollywood unions after they announced that eight of the awards would be handed out prior to the September (09) ceremony and the taped acceptances inserted into the show.

August 4th, 2009 Emmy host Harris says changes will improve showPASADENA, Calif. — Emmy host Neil Patrick Harris said he hopes industry resistance to streamlining next month's awards will ease when the plan is made clear.

July 13th, 2009 Neil Patrick Harris to host CBS' EmmycastNEW YORK — Neil Patrick Harris, who won critical acclaim hosting last month's Tonys, will fill the same role for the prime-time Emmys. He had been rumored for more than a week to have the job.

June 19th, 2009 Kelly Preston takes first role since son's deathLOS ANGELES — Kelly Preston is returning to work after the death of her teenage son in January. Disney says Preston will co-star in its coming-of-age drama "The Last Song," which began filming this week in Savannah, Georgia.

June 8th, 2009 Best Tony Award ratings since 2006NEW YORK — Tony Awards organizers can be pleased about a winning night at the television turnstiles. Broadway's big night was seen by 7.45 million people.

June 8th, 2009 Tonys should aid success of 'Billy' and 'Carnage'NEW YORK — Tony wins should strengthen even more the box-office appeal of "Billy Elliot" and "God of Carnage," already two of Broadway's biggest hits. "It's the cherry on top of the sundae," said producer Ken Davenport about the 10 Tonys for "Billy Elliot," including best musical, and the three for "Carnage," including best play.

June 3rd, 2009 Neil Patrick Harris gets ready as 2009 Tony hostNEW YORK — Ask Neil Patrick Harris how he sees his job as host of the 2009 Tony Awards, and the star of TV's "How I Met Your Mother" says judiciously, "ringmaster at the circus — I want to be strong enough to earn your trust but be able to allow all the specialty acts to shine." And this year's ceremony, televised live Sunday by CBS (8-11 p.m. EDT) from Radio City Music Hall, is packed with enough entertainment to keep its host very busy indeed.

May 14th, 2009 Neil Patrick Harris set to host Tony Awards showNEW YORK — From Doogie to Barney to Tony. Neil Patrick Harris will host the 2009 Tony Awards, honoring the best of the Broadway season.