Neil Patrick Harris Interview for 'How I Met Your Mother'

15 Questions with Neil Patrick Harris

Neil Patrick Harris, host of the 2008 World Magic Awards (airing Wed, Nov 26 at 8pm on myNetwork TV), spoke exclusively to AOL TV about the magician's Bro Code, a musical 'How I Met Your Mother' episode, taking Dr. Horrible to Vegas and the joy of working with 'Hills' villain Spencer Pratt (Plath? Platt? Pratt.). -- By Maggie Furlong

In the world of legendary performances, Neil Patrick Harris has had more than his share.

In addition to being a preteen MD and TV's favorite ladies' man, the actor's a New York Tines bestselling author (sort of), an Internet sensation... and an accomplished magician who'll be hosting the 2008 World Magic Awards (airing Wed., Nov 26 at 8pm on myNetwork TV).

Harris spoke exclusively to AOL TV about the magician's Bro Code, a musical 'How I Met Your Mother' episode, taking Dr. Horrible to Vegas and the joy of working with 'Hills' villain Spencer Pratt (Plath? Platt? Pratt.). -- By Maggie Furlong

1. How did you get the gig hosting the 2008 World Magic Awards?

Well, I presented at last year's show and was impressed with the level of magic that they had on board. I'm also on the Board of Directors at the Magic Castle, so I've sort of been thrust into having a larger presence in magic.

2. How are you as an amateur magician?

I'm pretty good. I have small props that old magicians used in the past.. I've been collecting antique sets, and those apparently go back hundreds and hundreds of years. I didn't realize until I started collecting them just how many I would have to get.

3. Is there an equivalent in magic to your 'How I Met Your Mother' character Barney Stinson's book 'The Bro Code'?

Well, there as the 'Tarbell Course in Magic,' there was the 'Mark Wilson Course in Magic' and I think even before that there was a book called 'The Expert at the Card Table,' which was a very old book written by a man with the last name Erdnase. It's all about gambling slights and card slights, buy they came to find out that there's no one on record with the last name Erdnase who actually wrote that book. There are a few mysteries and tricks in magic that haven't been solved, and that's an intriguing one.

4. You did a lot of stage work afetr 'Doogie Howser' -- did you think you'd be on another long-running successful TV show, like 'How I Met Your Mother'?

I didn't really! The longevity of a television show is so entirely out of our hands -- it's really just circumstance. We;re very lucky that CBS needed this younger-skewing ensemble show and, quite frankly that audiences wanted to watch it. I can't believe that we're in our fourth season already - that blows my mind. It's gone so fast, I don't know if that's because I'm getting older, or... [Laughs]

5. What chance do you think Barney and Robin have of living happily ever after together?

Well, gosh my opinion? I would say more than a 10 percent chance. [Laughs] You have to understand: Barney's got quite the roaming eye, so I can't imagin he'll settle down forever and ever. But if he did, you'd hope it would be someone as kickass as Robin Scherbotsky.

6. Have you all tried to get the writers to do a musical episode? Barney doing show tunes and Robin Sparkles going to the mall - it would be pretty legendary.

[Laughs] That would be hilarious! Jason [Segal] sings ... Josh [Radnor] sings... I think Aly [Hannigan] is the odd woman out in that scenario, but maybe she could do some sort of rap... gangster rap. [Laughs] There was the one episode where she's got some ghetto background. A cap sideways, pants on backwards... I can totally see it now. [Laughs] Yeah, that would be awesome.

7. So what's taking so long?

We've all gotten to sing, just not all together in the same episode. Jason had his own 'Just Got Slapped' song that he wrote, Cobie [Smulders]'s got her thing that she sang,I sang as a performing robot in a black box theater. And actually I'm singing some lewd Christmas carols today at work, so that'll be fun. For the holidays... for the kids. [Laughs] Here are the lyrics to one of the songs I'm singing today. It's to the tune of "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" -- "I wish I could see her naked, I wish I could see her naked, I wish I could see her naked and down on all fours." [Laughs] Word.

8. But you realize that men like Barney actually exist, right?

Totally - you know 'The Bro Code' is a New York Times Bestseller. Right under 'The Power of Now,' which I found kind of ironic and awesome.

9. At one time, you were just Doogie, and now you're so Barney -- what role do people recognize you from the most?

Oh, Barney Stinson, without question. It seems that the Doogie is shedding me. I get a lot of Dr. Horrible cred from the Interweb kids. They love Dr. Horrible, so that's cool. But people are actually starting to watch 'How I Met Your Mother,' as opposed to hearing it's some show on CBS. I get a fair amount of people that come up and have nice things to say -- I'm always pleased to be interrupted by a compliment.

10. We hope they're watching for you all and not the many other famous faces, but we have to ask: Who has been your favorite guest star so far?

Without questions Spencer Plath. Pratt? Is that his name? How do you say his name? Platt? [Laughs] No, I had the great misfortune of not being on set the day [he and Heidi Montag] were there. I have to say I thought Will Forte was hilarious as the nerdy guy that works at Barney's office that he takes out to make him cool and get him laid. You know, 'Saturday Night Live' is the pinnacle, so to get to act with some of the cast on our turf is a real treat.

11. Who's a better wingman: Vinnie Delpino or Ted Mosby?

Ooh... do I have to choose? Must I choose? I would say Ted Mosby, but you know, Max [Casella], who played Vinnie, had the whole chapter on 'The Sopranos,' so I'd worry about getting whacked. So I'll just say [in his best mobster accent], "I don't know nothin', see?" [Laughs]

12: What is your favorite TV show?

I love 'Survivor' and I'm anxious to see how Kara [DioGuardi], the new judge, does on 'American Idol' -- I think she'll be spectacular. I found a new show on G4 called 'Ninja Warrior' that's really cool. Oh, and I'm counting down the days until 'Lost' starts again -- I'm a big 'Lost' nut.

13. Are there any scripted shows that you wish you'd been a part of?

I loved '24' before 'How I Met Your Mother' happened, and I kept trying to call and see if there was any kind of cool part for me, but alas, they hired Edgar. I could be a supervillain... wait a minute, I've already done that!

14. What's next with 'Dr. Horrible' -- a sequel, a movie?

When we made the 'Sing-Along Blog', it was a sort of origin story, so I assume tha there's a future with it. I just know that Joss [Whedon] is insanely busy with 'Dollhouse' and launching that show for Fox, so I can't imagine when it would be able to happen. But I know they would love to see a future with it. I wish I had concrete information, but everyone desires longevity with it -- in what capacity I have no idea. Maybe a big, giant Vegas show! Then we'd really have all the special effects... laser beams and contortionits.

15. You and your partner, David Burtka have been together for more than four years now -- any chance you'll have kids one day?

It'll be five years in April. I don't know -- that would be jumping the gun to make any big announcement about it. I think it'd be fun to get married before you have babies. We had to take a couple steps back recently [with the banning of gay marriage in California]... so we'll see. But I've answered it before in the "I think we'd both be good dads" kind of way, which sort of seems like it's a lead-on to something that's not happening. So instead, this is a better response: David is an extraordinary man. I should be so lucky.