Neil Patrick Harris is having the "Best Time Ever," and he hopes his fans will join him.
The award-winning performer is hosting a multi-faceted new show for NBC this fall that incorporates audience and viewer participation. Along with showcasing live sketches, stunts, games and musical numbers, "Best Time Ever" will also have the 42-year-old pranking unsuspecting celebrities in pre-taped segments.
Harris addressed reporters at the NBC portion of the Television Critics Association Summer Tour on Thursday about the eight-week series, which is based on the UK's hit "Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway."
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"It's a giant beast in almost every way," he said, explaining that the task of executing the show's multiple formats at once requires him to become "part ninja."
"It's essentially producing six or seven shows simultaneously," he began, before revealing that the most challenging aspect was remaining under the radar during the show's more mischievous bits.
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"That's our main objective right now, to get a lot of these things done on the sly," Harris said of the hijinks, which include an incognito stint on "The Voice" in which he fools both Carson Daly and Gwen Stefani.
"I was trying my Andy Kaufman best not to break [character]," Harris laughed.
Luckily, Harris' extensive experience hosting award shows, including the Tonys, Emmys and Oscars, has him used to what he called "a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants" structure.
"You spend an asinine amount of time overthinking every little thing," Harris said of the whirlwind pressures of live television. "And then it just vanishes."
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Executive Producer Siobhan Greene said the real-time urgency is what ultimately makes the show fun, regardless of the consequences.
"You've got to embrace the show being live," she said. "Even when things do go wrong, I think the audience loves it and they're going to go with you."
Harris agreed, explaining that the interactive elements of "Best Time Ever" are what set it apart from reality competitions like "America's Got Talent." Instead of merely watching the action, viewers will also be invited to tag along, he said.
Although Harris admitted he might "get in trouble" for revealing the show's celebrity roster, he let slip that Reese Witherspoon is set to appear in a special segment, and guest star Ricky Martin will lead a live sing-a-long of "Livin' La Vida Loca."
"Everybody loves that song," Harris said.
"Best Time Ever With Neil Patrick Harris" premieres Sept. 15 at 10 ET/PT on NBC.
-- Erin Biglow
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