Harris, who had been tapped as a guest judge for the show, joined the panel in Dallas and quickly proved he wasn’t afraid to voice an opinion.  When he gave a contestant “a big yes,” following Cowell’s no vote,  “Idol” host Ryan Seacrest quickly declared in voiceover, “It looks like we have a stand off.”

Evidently, Harris wasn’t influenced by the famously sour opinions of that fellow judge. During a break in the auditions, he told Seacrest, “I’ve been surprised by the talent. I thought it would be a lot of nos and a few yeses, but we’ve sent a fair amount of people through.”

Though currently well known for his role in the television hit “How I Met Your Mother,” Harris is no stranger to the musical stage.  He appeared in the Los Angeles company of Rent and the Broadway revivals of Cabaret and Assassins. Harris’ talents will soon be put to use again - he is among the many stars slated to appear on an upcoming episode of the hit musical show, “Glee.”

To view Harris in action on "American Idol" (while it lasts online), click here.

— Gemma Wilson