Neil Patrick Harris Could Have Replaced David Letterman, But Said No

We have a legen-wait for it-dary proposition for you...would you watch a late night talk show hosted by Barney Stinson?

It almost happened: Apparently, Neil Patrick Harris was offered the opportunity to take over for David Letterman in late night, but the "How I Met Your Mother" turned down the gig. With so many actors and comedians vying for positions in late night, why would Harris give up his chance?

The answer: Boredom.

"I felt like I knew what my skill set was and what I wanted to do after the show, with them. It surprised me [Les Moonves] pitched me that idea," Harris said. "I sat for a time with it while I was talking to him, and I told him what concerned me about the longevity of that kind of gig. I think I would get bored of the repetition fast. The structure is so set—I don't have any interest in doing monologue, commercial, sketch, guest, guest, musical act, good night."

With Harris' musical talents, he could have put some spark into in the CBS show, but Stephen Colbert, who was officially tapped to replace Letterman, should do a fine job with it.

Meanwhile, if you're as sad as we are about Harris turning down the gig, here's some hope: Harris expressed some interested in doing some sort of variety show for the network, which was another idea that Moonves pitched.