Neil Patrick Harris reveals what it’s really like to host the Oscars

Neil Patrick Harris has confessed hosting the Oscars ceremony is “the most thankless” job because he’s convinced the guests are bored and hungry.

Neil Patrick Harris believes hosting the Oscars ceremony is “the most thankless” job because the guests are bored and hungry.

The How I Met Your Mother star has fronted awards shows including the Tony Awards and the Emmys and it was his turn to present the Academy Awards show in 2015, but Neil has admitted it’s a touch gig because the ceremony falls at the very end of awards season.

He told The Times newspaper: “It’s the most thankless [awards ceremony] of them all, for sure. As far as the industry is concerned it’s the highest achievement level – but it’s also the final awards show in the season, right?

“So by the time the Oscars happen most of those people have completed filming an entirely different movie, in fact they’re probably filming a third.

“And they all pretty much know who’s going to win everything, because there’ve been the Globes, the Independent Spirit, the Producers Guild etc – and they’re just sitting there thinking: ‘When will this night when we can’t eat end?'”

Neil went on to admit he adopted a different style to other hosts because he didn’t want to make fun of the famous audience members.

He said: “I think what’s best in that room is someone who is known for being more acerbic – Jimmy Kimmel, Conan O’Brien, Nikki Glaser – people who are super-comfortable taking the piss out of people.

“I always feel like if I do jokes at someone’s expense it doesn’t sound great coming out my mouth. Because I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of that – sitting, excited in a tuxedo, then to have a host say something s***** about me.”

The 2026 Oscars were hosted by TV funnyman Conan O’Brien, who also presented the show in 2025, and it was recently confirmed he will be back for a third consecutive stint in 2027.

Craig Erwich, the president of the Disney Television Group which broadcast the ceremony through ABC, said in a statement. “Conan has created remarkable energy around the Oscars.

“His singular comedic voice makes Hollywood’s biggest night one of the most entertaining celebrations of the year. We’re proud to welcome him back and look forward to what he and the producing team deliver next.”