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Brit Hits the Fan: NPH Clarifies Alleged Stab at Spears
Neil Patrick Harris by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage.com
Seeking to clarify some sound bites he gave an AP reporter on the set of How I Met Your Mother, Neil Patrick Harris has issued a statement stressing that he is not opposed to Britney Spears reprising her guest-star role as Abby the receptionist. Positing that the AP scribe "took some quotes of mine and speculated an opinion about their intent," Harris tells EW, "As I have said all along, Britney did a great job on the show. She really did. In fact, we are all hoping that she returns rather soon."
As for the statements he made to the AP (as well as during a Harold & Kumar 2 junket), NPH says, "I am just very protective of our show and its content. I have a high standard of quality, and hope to maintain it on every level. I have great faith in our casting department... to find the appropriate person for every role on our show. I was remiss in speculating otherwise. My job description is to act, and I should really do just that."
The AP at first held firm, saying that Harris "told us unequivocally that he did not believe that Britney should be on the show." Shortly thereafter, though, the news service said, "We're issuing a clarification…. Harris did not say that he opposed a return engagement for Spears, and our lede said that he did." — MWM
Related:
• Exclusive: Sarah Chalke Preps Mother of a Comeback
• Exclusive: Oops… Is Brit Doing CBS' Mother Again?
• Tiffany, Alan Thicke Add Sparkle to April 21 Mother
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Apr 12, 2008 12:49 PM
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This is so silly. I think most of us understand what NPH was saying perfectly. I didn't feel he was taking any shots at Britney. He was making the very valid point that HIMYM is not the kind of broad comedy that Will & Grace was, and a slew of "special guest stars" could ruin the feel of the show. (Think Happy Days before and after they started doing it before a live audience...I felt it became unwatchable when they started performing for the screaming lunatics in the audience.)
Obviously, the suits got to Neil. That's not what "suit up" is supposed to mean!
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Apr 12, 2008 1:37 PM
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"Harris did not say that he opposed a return engagement for Spears, and our lede said that he did."
What's a lede?
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Apr 12, 2008 8:05 PM
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SBThompson, in journalism, a "lede" is similar to "lead". When an editor asks, "What's your lead?", they usually mean "lede", but nobody (except AP, apparently) uses it anymore.
The lede is usually a line or two at the beginning of the story that contains the main part of the story that's new, and then the rest of the story goes on to either explain the story or recap the story so far.
I've been a reporter for close to 20 years, and the only time I've seen that word used (other than in this item) was when I was in college.
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Apr 12, 2008 8:30 PM
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What the heck does any of this have to do with him being gay or TR Knight? True, in this day and time comments are spread over the world in a matter of seconds. And alot of people end up sounding like a dumb@ss.
NPH has already proven he has better and more diversified acting chops than anyone from Will & Grace, who I think had a gloriously talented cast...for those particular roles. While I was a fan of the show for a very long time, HIMYM is more enjoyable in every aspect to me and I believe will hold my attention much longer than W&G did. Ratings have little to do with quality TV. I understand what NPH was saying and it was 100% true. Too bad he felt obligatged to "clarify" his statement.
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Apr 12, 2008 11:13 PM
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To me, it felt more of a clarification that he wasn't taking shots at Britney Spears specifically, but more of a general remark about the show's quality without having resort to stunt casting. There's nothing wrong with HIMYM to have a guest stars, but he's right W&G overdid it and it diluted what I think the strength of that show which was the cast. I personally feel that if Britney being on the show is what it takes for the show to stay on the air, then so be it. The show is still funnier than almost any sitcom on network television right now.
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Apr 13, 2008 1:00 AM
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In reply to the ignorant comments by thankulord, I will quote two sources:
One, from the Bible: "Judge not, lest you be judged."
And the other, from Will & Grace: "Who are you to judge, Judy?"
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Apr 13, 2008 10:32 AM
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Why does everybody seem to have to "baby" Britney????
Neil Patrick Harris had a very valid point and I don't think he should have had to clarify anything!!!!
And where are the kudos for Sarah Chalke's appearance??? She is a REAL actress.
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Apr 13, 2008 11:24 AM
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SBThompson, in journalism, a "lede" is similar to "lead". When an editor asks, "What's your lead?", they usually mean "lede", but nobody (except AP, apparently) uses it anymore.
The lede is usually a line or two at the beginning of the story that contains the main part of the story that new, and then the rest of the story goes on to either explain the story or recap the story so far.
I've been a reporter for close to 20 years, and the only time I've seen that word used (other than in this item) was when I was in college.
Posted by TV Gord
Thank you so much. I was completely unfamiliar with that particular word. I guess the post from thankyoulord13 was deleted since I can't see what everyone is talking about. As for Mr. Harris' remarks, kudos to him for speaking his mind. He's protective of his show and that's understandable. I liked his remarks the first time they were reported and it is too bad he felt the need to(or was told to) clarify.
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Apr 13, 2008 2:12 PM
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I knew it!
"NPH would NOT do that"
hehehe
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Apr 13, 2008 2:22 PM
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As soon as I read NPH's comments I thought to myself "great dude - we'll read this and spend the next few days reading either your retraction or "clarification" of your remarks.
This happens whenever an actor on a show airs their views in this way.
My advice - do your job, collect your big paycheck and keep your mouth shut about casting decisions.
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Apr 13, 2008 7:53 PM
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So an actor shouldn't have any say in a show they want to succeed and continue to believe in themselves? You can usually tell when actors stop believing in a role because it affects their acting. I'm not saying that would happen with him, but I would hate to see it.. I completely agree with him.. I hope HIMYM doesn't have to resort to (more) stunt casting to bring in viewers... It's one of the best shows on TV right now, and that would definitely hurt its quality.. Yes, Britney wasn't as awful as I expected... But he never said she was bad in the first place.. I've heard him do nothing but praise her, so I don't know why people are getting so worked up and twisting his words around anyway... At the end of the day, we all want the same thing - for this excellent show to succeed. We just have different ideas of how to get it there, but I think most of us would prefer that they only do the stunt casting when absolutely necessary. Like I said, Britney was fine. The show needed it, and she brought in some viewers with her who stayed after her appearance. That's good and may help he show get another season. How many do we need? Is there a certain make or break number that stunt casting would provide? I doubt that. Either way, I just don't understand why everyone is having a fit over his comments when most fans would agree with him...
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Apr 13, 2008 9:25 PM
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NPH should have stuck to his guns (especially since he was right) and not amended his statement.
He shines just a little less brightly in my eyes now. Still love him, though.
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Apr 14, 2008 12:24 PM
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Must have been a REALLY slow news day for a statement like that to have caused such a furor......Good grief, he was perfectly plain and perfectly RIGHT.
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Apr 14, 2008 3:02 PM
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As a former journalist, my first thought was "no way did AP have it wrong." Now, if AP is making a clarification, that's a shame for its sloppy writing.
Now, that said, after reading the original article, I didn't sense that he was opposed to Brittany coming on the show, just making HIMYM a sideshow with continual guest appearances.
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Apr 14, 2008 3:50 PM
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