The actor is the first celebrity to have no serious ties to music business to be tapped as a guest judge.
- August 26, 2009
AceShowbiz -
Neil Patrick Harris is one reason to watch the ninth season of "American Idol". The "How I Met Your Mother" star has paid the singing competition show a visit on Tuesday, August 25 as a guest judge for the Dallas audition, a rep of the show confirms to E! Online.
Harris would be the second male judge added as the substitute of Paula Abdul after Joe Jonas of Jonas Brothers. But he is the first celebrity who comes from non-recording-artist background although he indeed owns a Broadway experience such as "Rent" where he was required to sing a few numbers.
Post the departure of Paula Abdul from the judging seat, FOX and 19Entertainment are hiring celebrity guests until they can determine who should be the fourth permanent judge. The producers, however, are also open to the idea of having only three judges, Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson.
Apart from Neil Patrick Harris and Joe Jonas, other faces that will be seen when "American Idol" returns in January 2010 are Victoria Adams, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Mary J. Blige and Shania Twain.