This picture of Neil Patrick Harris is from a long-ago appearance on "The Rosie O'Donnell Show" that I came across as I was trying to find am image of him filling in for Regis Philbin the past two days on "Live With Regis and Kelly."
I missed yesterday's show because on the West Coast, much of it was preempted for the Elizabeth Edwards press conference. But today I watched and Neil was great! He's quick, charming, funny and has a great sense of fun. What came across the most was this: he's a man who is comfortable in his own skin. He's a confident man who I am so proud of because he acknowledged being gay last year then went on with his life and career. Kelly Ripa had terrific chemistry with Neil and it only underscored all the more how off the mark Rosie was a few months ago with all that Clay Aiken silliness (the handn over mouth thing). Regis, who is recovering from heart surgery, told NPH he was "doing a great job" and Neil joked that he had switched all of Regis' Notre Dame memorabilia with USC!
In an odd bit that was saved by NPH, Kelly and Poppy Montgomery of "Without a Trace" did a duet and Neil showed his musical ability by doing various vocal music sound effects. He was also very sweet to "American Idol" castoff "Stephanie Edwards" who sang "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" and reminded everyone why she should still be on that show!