Neil Patrick Harris Praised for Hosting Tony Awards
Sunday's 2012 Tony Awards have recognized today's top television stars, but no star earned more praise than Neil Patrick Harris.
The "How I Met Your Mother" actor served as host during the ceremony and stole the show with his effortless wit and charm.
Referring to the top-selling novel "50 Shades of Grey", Harris welcomed everyone to "the 66th Annual Tony Awards, or, as we like to call it, 'Fifty Shades of Gay,'" which elicited laughter.
Harris' top moments on stage included an opening number alongside Patti LuPone as the pair performed a medley of classic Broadway songs.
The 38-year-old also poked fun at the movie "Spiderman" by hanging upside down during a speech by Angela Lansbury.
On Twitter, fans who were tuned into the Tony's sounded off about the host.
"Neil Patrick Harris should donate some of his talent to charity because he's got too much of it," wrote Doug.
Marisa posted, "Love, love, love Neil Patrick Harris' opening number for the Tony Awards."
"Neil Patrick Harris is such a charming man," wrote Liyana.
"I love Neil Patrick Harris so much," posted Danny. "And if you guys needed to know why (which, I mean, you don't) this is one reason," and provided a link to YouTube's video of Neil Patrick Harris' opening at the 2012 Tony Awards.
The night crowned "Clybourne Park" as the season's best musical and drama and saw numerous other surprises. The star-studded awards ceremony saw Hugh Jackman, Sheryl Crow, Diane Sawyer, Emma Stone, and Philip Seymour Hoffman in attendance, among many others.
Director Mike Nichols earned his eighth Tony for directing the revival of "Death of a Salesman" while Audra McDonald earned her fifth Tony Award. McDonald won for her performance in "The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess."
Other awards went to the musical "Once," which won eight trophies.