Neil Patrick Harris Backtracks After Twitter Rant About 'HIMYM' Guest

By Christine Fenno Posted Dec 18th 2010 12:34PM

How we met the dark side of one of Hollywood's most likeable TV stars, Neil Patrick Harris, is a pretty short story: Less than 140 characters, in fact.

After soap opera star Eric Braeden ('The Young and the Restless') canceled his returning guest appearance on 'How I Met Your Mother' on short notice, Harris took to Twitter on Friday to blast the 69-year-old TV veteran with this blunt message: "Eric Braeden is a D-Bag. The actor, (Robin's dad) agreed to a cameo, then last night bailed, saying the part wasn't 'substantial' enough."

NPH soon added that Braeden was replaced with "fantastic" Ray Wise, and tweeted welcoming words to Wise about the cast change.

A few hours later, Harris tweeted his regrets ("Now I feel bad for the D-bag comment. Don't know the guy personally. I'm just fiercely protective of our show."), but the damage had been done.

When contacted for a response to Harris' slam, Braeden didn't hesitate to tell his side of the story.

"I really don't know who that fellow is," Braeden told EW.com. "He's a guy who stars in that series....It's very unfortunate. First of all, I came back from hip surgery. I was off for three weeks. I've doubled my work, 30 to 50 pages a day for me, alone. Everyone knows that I'm exhausted. I was not about to appear on a show for two lines, because that's what it amounted to."

Braeden says he accepted the invitation to return because his first guest spot in November 2008 (as father to Robin, played by Cobie Smulders) was such a pleasure. "I truly enjoyed working there last time," Braeden said. "The cast and crew and producers couldn't have been nicer."

But this time around, Braeden claims he learned only this week (one day before the taping, in fact) just how tiny the role was in the script, which he says he should have been given weeks in advance.

"His choice of words bothered me," Braeden said, about Harris' insulting tweet. "It seems to me like a young whippersnapper, having seen himself on a few covers, who's received a few awards, is now suddenly suffering from the first signs of hubris. I've been in the business for 50 years. I've seen people come and go and I'm still here."

"If he is a worthy adversary, he'd better not cross my path," he said, laughing. But he added, "I will let bygones be bygones."

Even if 'forgive and forget' is his New Year's resolution, Braeden will almost certainly be grilled more about the 'HIMYM' brouhaha when he appears CBS' chatfest 'The Talk' on Jan. 14.

Tags: Eric Braeden, How I Met Your Mother, neil patrick harris, nph, twitter

Comments

(64)

Saturday 18 December

By Carter

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I couldn't care less what that deviant thinks . So its mad . So what . He or it is an sick depraved minded what ever .

By SkyBlue

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Your description of a depraved mind is more descriptive of you than anyone else. As far as NPH is concerned, his rant was out of line and uncalled for.

By tngbai

How we met the dark side of one of Hollywood's most likeable TV stars, Neil Patrick Harris, is a pretty short story: Less than 140 characters, in fact..I love this , So does My boyfriend .he is almost 11year older than me .i met him via age'lessmate.c'om a nice place for seeking age le ss love.which gives you a chance to make your life better and open opportunities for you to meet the attractive young girls and treat you like a king. Maybe you wanna check it out or tell your friends..

By fiona

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Poor Carter...poor simple-minded Carter. Apparently because someone doesn't have the exact chromosomal makeup as he does, they are a deviant. I'm guessing that was a learned opinion as it's doubtful he could have formed it on his own.

Sunday 19 December

By Lita

It kind of sounds like something Senator Larry Craig (and a host of other "pro-family," anti-gay clowns would have said--you know, before his "other life" was exposed. It's just a matter of time before Carter faces the truth about himself--or "itself," as he is wont to say. How sad for him.

By Tom

Eric has more talent in his pinky than that douchbag Harris has in his whole body- he milked it with Doogie Howzer and has been pain in the a** (literally and physically) ever since.

By Karen

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I have to agree with you. Eric Braden has more talent than this guy will have in a lifetime. So much for professionalism.

By BTDT

Been watching Eric Braden since he was Hans Gutegast.
Always enjoyed his work.
Repent in leisure, Mr. Harris.

By Jackie

It was not very professional of NPH to call him a douche bag and of all places... on TWITTER.

By Bob

Given NPH's sexual orientation, I am surprised he is aware of "D-bags"...more likely enemas....

By mark

Bob
He knows exactly what a douche bag is! He has a picture of you to refer to when he has a question about what one looks like!

By MIKE

neil patrick harris rules, i hope he makes more funny movies like the one where those 2 crazy guys go to quantanamo bay and they escape and run into neil patrick harris that stuff is hilarious. Do more movies Mr. Harris.

By TWW

Neil Patrick Harris is a gay D Bag himself. I would want to be caught dead on any stage with him.

TWW
That is too bad Because I would LOVE to see you dead on a stage!!!

By Jim

Sounds like little sissy Patrick threw a hissy!

By J

No one should care enough about "How I Met Your Mother" to be defensive about it.

By Uncle Mike

Hey, Neil, the first rule of dealing with soap opera actors is... Never, EVER cross Victor Newman! Seriously, in real life, try being a little less Barney Stinson, and a little more of the guy you used to be, Doogie Howser. Because the next time, you might actually NEED a doctor!

By Sharon

What I can't stand about that PUNK is....he is GAY and yet plays a sex addict on HIMYM!! Tries to f...k every woman in town, and is a hypocritical Queer! He'd better make his money now, his 15 min. will be over soon. I would never watch that show because of this!

By tj123123

His 15 min.........has been for more than 30 years.

Sharon, you must have nothing better going on in your life, if this is what you're obsessing about.

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