Neil Patrick Harris was an inspired choice as guest judge on the first half of tonight’s American Idol.  He was funny, direct, and didn’t hold back on any criticism.  In fact, he seemed very at ease in the judge’s chair.  Too bad they went with Ellen as permanent judge – he would have been great.

E! Online agrees:

Combining a certain newbie enthusiasm with the mien of Roy Scheider’s grizzled choreographer in All That Jazz, NPH dished out plenty of “no, no, no, no, no’s,” mocking half-smiles and raised eyebrows.

But the How I Met Your Mother standout also offered up kind encouragement to the auditioners he truly believed in, such as 26-year-old Kimberly Carver, whose jazzy original song left Simon cold but had Neil bopping along to the beat.

Second-half guest judge Joe Jonas:  eh, not so much.

Related posts:

1. American Idol Recap – March 2nd