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‘Everything fit in like a weird game of Tetris’

IT ISN’T THE least bit of an exaggeration to call Neil Patrick Harris Emmy’s triple threat.

The TV, film and stage veteran earned three nominations this year — for his turn in Season five of CBS comedy How I Met Your Mother, for hosting the 2009 Tony Awards and for his guest spot on Fox’s Glee.

The former Emmy host and soon-to-be father spoke about his busy year, how he feels about the overturning of California’s (gay marriage ban) Proposition 8, and the rumours he’s taking a break from Hollywood.

You’ve had a very industrious year. How does it feel to double your career Emmy nominations in one fell swoop?

I have three times as much of a chance to lose, so I’m very excited! It’s been a busy year, but I’m happy to be riding the Glee train. In a normal world, I would not be able to do half the things I did this year, but for some reason everything fit in like a weird game of Tetris.

Besides the recent news that you and your partner David Burtka are expecting twins in autumn, what other plans do you have for staying busy? Perhaps a return to Glee?

We just started shooting season six of Mother, so my focus is on that well-tailored suit of a role. Barney is on a quest to find his real dad. Which I think may give us some answers as to why Barney is the way he is. As for Glee, Ryan Murphy mentioned something, but I’ve heard nothing concrete about it. It’s great what Glee is able to do each week. It was a really exhausting episode to film, but fun too.

So there’s no truth to the rumours that you may be taking a break from Hollywood?

No, not at all. It’s a virtual impossibility at the moment. I have two more seasons for sure on Mother and a bunch of things pending or already in the can. I love the business and have worked steadily to stand where I am. I have no interest in backing off now.

You’ve long been open about your sexuality in Hollywood. What was your reaction to the recent overturning of California’s Prop. 8?

It’s very exciting. I scoured the judge’s ruling and found it very well-spoken, highly informed and incredibly logical, so I can only hope that appellate courts will agree.

You’ve also been around the Emmy block quite a few times. What is your favourite memory?

Without question: hosting last year. I opted to do all the introductions myself, which seemed like a lot of work at the time, but it gave me a front row seat to the show. I absolutely loved that — that was one of the coolest nights of my life, just standing there and looking out at all of the people that create the shows that I love to watch. I made one complete lap with all the awards shows. I could possibly host again, but then you’re suddenly being compared to yourself, and that’s a risky game.

If you could step into the character of any of your fellow supporting actor nominees, comedy or drama, who would it be?

I was a huge Lost fan, so I would either be Terry O’Quinn or Michael Emerson, because they got to act with the other. Watching that dynamic duo is remarkable. They brought things to a whole other level. Their scenes together were wildly kinetic and certainly worth watching.

Now to the truly important stuff: Any idea what you’ll be wearing to the show? Do you have any Emmy day rituals?

I can almost guarantee that there will be no hyper-stylish outfits from me. No ascots or monocles this year. Although, a monocle could be cool and wildly appropriate. As for the day, I like a lot of calm and quiet before the madness of the red carpet begins. And then I’ll drink a Red Bull. Quiet, then Red Bull.