Neil Patrick Harris Steps Into ‘The Cube’ for CBS

Exclusive: He’ll host and produce a U.S. take on the British game show hit. Is there anything NPH can’t do?

EXCLUSIVE

British game show hit "The Cube" may be coming to the States after all — and Neil Patrick Harris is on board to host it.

Perhaps trying to prove there’s absolutely nothing he can’t do, the "How I Met Your Mother" star will fly to London later this year to tape a pilot for an American adaptation of "The Cube." CBS will then decide whether to move forward with a series order.

In addition to hosting, Harris will also serve as executive producer of the Objective TV-produced series. Also exec producing: Adam Adler, Andrew Newman and Andrew O’Connor.

"The Cube" is a deceptively simple format in which folks try to win big bucks by completing simple tasks inside a chamber designed to induce stress. It’s done good numbers in the UK (thanks to great scheduling) and NBC has a similar-sounding show called "Minute to Win It" bowing March 14.

You’ll recall that "The Cube" first caught the eye of Fox executives last fall. They were developing a take on the concept for a few months but then confirmed in December they had opted to move on.

But Objective TV, part of All 3, didn’t give up. It found interest in the concept at CBS; the network’s interest in the project no doubt shot up more when Harris began entertaining the possibility of hosting.

Assuming CBS decides to move forward with "The Cube," it’ll be the latest hosting gig for the mega-versatile NPH. He’s already done stints fronting the Emmys, the Tonys and the TV Land Awards. And just this week, he won mostly raves for sitting in as a judge on "American Idol."

Some have even suggested Harris might one day have a future in late night.

For now, we’ll have to make due with the possibility of two weekly doses of NPH.

Meanwhile, check out part of an original episode of "The Cube" below:

 

 

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