‘Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris’: Should you want to watch premiere?

We do give NBC a great deal of grief from time to time for various things (canceling “Hannibal”), but at the same time we also have to give them praise for their risks (putting “Hannibal” on in the first place). Out of the Big Three television networks, they are the one who will do things somewhat off the beaten path. Having a “variety show” or something like it hosted by Neil Patrick Harris in primetime is certainly that.

We feel like with “Hollywood Game Night,” we feel like to a certain extent the network has prepared itself for an event like “Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris.” Both are funny, energetic hosts anchored by capable performers. The difference between the two is that “Best Time Ever” is live, and only is in part a game show. There are a wide array of different components to it.

For one, the show features some sketches, some hidden-camera pranks, some music, and some appearances from various celebrities. For example, Reese Witherspoon is scheduled to be turning up in the premiere. The video below gives you a sense of what the show could be offering up in some of its pre-taped bits, and there are some funny things in here revolving around Neil’s friend and former “How I Met Your Mother” co-star Cobie Smulders.

Ultimately, we have no idea how this is going to fare in the ratings, but we will at least say this: It has a great lead-in courtesy of “America’s Got Talent,” and to go along with it has a memorable host and a huge promotional push. We really hope that it is a success, but as is the nature with any live program, we’re not going to know until it airs.

Are you excited to check this out? Share below, and head over here to get some other TV news on all we cover via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: NBC.)

[ot-video]

[/ot-video]