Neil Patrick Harris

Neil Patrick Harris hopping to Emmys

’Mother’ star cutting deal to host awards show

It should be a "legendary" Emmycast.

Thesp Neil Patrick Harris is in the midst of cutting a deal with CBS and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences to host the 61st annual kudos on Sept. 20. Insiders cautioned that the deal is not yet completed, but all sides are working toward setting Harris as this year’s Emmycast frontman as soon as possible.

A CBS rep declined comment late Wednesday.

The "How I Met Your Mother" star (whose character, Barney Stinson, is known for his liberal use of superlatives like "legendary" and "awesome") was a no-brainer of a choice for the Eye after he earned rave reviews as host of the June 7 Tony Awards, which also aired live on CBS. (He also hosted last year’s Creative Arts Emmy Awards.)

Having Harris front and center on the kudocast will amount to a promo boost for "Mother," which is set to move into the 8 p.m. anchor slot of the Eye’s Monday comedy block the night after the Emmys.

The pressure is on this year’s Emmycast exec producer, Don Mischer, to improve the ratings and the critical reception to this year’s show. Last year’s Primetime Emmy Awards were widely panned for the decision to use five reality show personalities as co-hosts.

In addition to the Tonys, Harris has done awards show duty this year as host of the TV Land Awards and the nontelevised Writers Guild Awards ceremony in Los Angeles.Related: Does Neil Patrick Harris + Tonys = Eye on Emmys?