Variety reports that Harris is "in the midst of cutting a deal with CBS and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences to host" the ceremony. The 61st Primetime Emmy Awards will be presented Sept. 20 on CBS. The three-hour broadcast will begin at 8 PM ET.
Harris has also hosted The TV Land Awards and the nontelevised Writers Guild Awards ceremony.
Chandra Wilson ("Grey's Anatomy"), who is back on Broadway in Chicago, and Jim Parsons ("Big Bang Theory") will join Television Academy chair John Shaffner to announce the nominees for the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards July 16 at 5:35 AM PST.
Neil Patrick Harris has been seen on Broadway in Assassins, Cabaret and Proof. He appeared in the Geffen Playhouse's production of All My Sons as well as the L.A. company of Rent, the Reprise! production of Sweeney Todd and the London mounting of tick, tick . . . BOOM! His screen credits include the current "How I Met Your Mother" as well as "Undercover Brother," "Doogie Howser, M.D.," "Stark Raving Mad" and "Joan of Arc."