LOS ANGELES: Neil Patrick Harris might use his job as Oscar host as a way to meet his favorite stars.

“I have, essentially, an all-access pass to the theater,” Harris said during a recent interview. “So I love being able to stand there and say hello to people I’ve never met before. I’m very easily star struck, so it’ll be very exciting to shake hands with celebrities.”

Harris has hosted the Emmys twice and the Tony Awards four times — and has won both awards. On Sunday, he takes on his first Oscar show.

Asked how preparing to host the Oscars is different from the Tonys or Emmys, the actor said: "I want to make sure my content is inclusive of everyone watching, and more people watch the Oscars than any other awards show probably combined. I have more filters probably, in terms of content... The Oscars — it’s ritual for many people. They see it every single year, and all around the world. So I want to be a little classier and try to be a bit more mainstream while trying to maintain a wink and a nod to those in the know."

Asked if he is prepared for the possibility of Kanye West coming onstage, Harris said: "I think the security at “Saturday Night Live” is still holding him in his seat there from last (week’s) show. So, fingers crossed, he’s detained in New York City.



No, nothing would make me happier than something as random as that, as Kanye West deciding to participate in the show in some way. That’s why you want to watch the Oscars. We hope for things to happen that you’ll only experience by watching it... The crazier the better, as far as I’m concerned.