When Hugh Jackman and Neil Patrick Harris shared the stage at the 2011 Tony Awards, nobody in the A-list audience was prepared for the epic sing-off about to ensue.
Hugh, who had hosted three previous Tony ceremonies, and Neil, who was about to host the 2011 show, battled out their differences in the most cackle-worthy way imaginable, sparring over who is the better award show host with an extravagant Broadway twist. It’s now been a full 15 years since this surprise duet aired, and it’s since been called one of the most ingenious, fan-favorite moments in Tony Awards history. With more than 14M views to date, Music Man readers can watch the moment unfold in the video below…
It all begins with a snarky back-and-forth between Hugh and Neil, each trying to one-up each other’s career achievements; comparing Neil’s sitcom work to Hugh’s Hollywood movie acting, debating who has hosted more award shows, and even totting up their own collection of trophies in a hilariously catty moment.
Their on-stage argument explodes into a fully choreographed song and dance number that blindsides the entire audience, with the two musical theatre legends pulling out every trick in the book to make their rendition of “Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better)” one for the ages.
Except, this wasn’t your usual all-star cover. Hugh and Neil completely rewrite the lyrics of the classic musical number to relate to their own situation as “jealous” hosts who can’t bear to share the limelight.
“How I Met Your Mother” fans are bound to lose it at Hugh’s derogatory reference, before the star finally wins Neil over when he reveals his secret trick for getting better gift bags. One viewer even realized, “I didn’t know I needed Wolverine and Barney Stinson to sing a duet until I saw it.”
The whole situation has left internet viewers gobsmacked as more than 4,600 viewers take to the YouTube comments to spread their praise and hilarious realizations.
After one fan reckoned, “Hugh Jackman and Neil Patrick Harris should co-host every award show for the rest of time,” another viewer commented, “Their voices really complement each other. I’d love to see them do a Broadway show together!”
Another fan went so far as to say, “Hugh Jackman is the perfect example of how unfair life is. He can act, he can sing, he can dance and he looks like that. Could have left something for the rest of us!”
This wasn’t the only clip from the 2011 Tony Awards to go internet-viral. Neil Patrick Harris’ sensational opening number, “It’s Not Just For Gays Anymore,” has racked up an incredible 13 million views on just one upload alone, while his show-closing rap performance is nearing one million views to date. Check it out in our second video above!