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LOS ANGELES (CBS) ― Barney Stinson is absolutely legen (wait for it) dary, so it was no surprise to see a very suave Neil Patrick Harris all "suited up" for a stroll on the red carpet at the 60th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. I may be biased, but I think we have some pretty great shows on CBS. From "Two and a Half Men," "The Big Bang Theory" and "CSI" to the CBS 2 / KCAL 9 reality favorite, "Big Brother," the network has a lot to gloat about, and the rest of the world, including the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, seems to agree. CBS was nominated for an impressive 51 Emmy Awards this year, but I would like to argue that one of those awards should have gone to the "How I Met Your Mother" star who constantly reminds us that when we "get sad, we should decide to stop being sad and be awesome instead."

I have admittedly come to rely on Barney Stinson's warped and egotistic advice in troubled times. If I have a bad attitude or am feeling down in the dumps, I know I can choose to be awesome in the face of adversity. Neil Patrick Harris (and Jon Cryer of "Two and a Half Men") must have been disappointed to lose "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series" to Jeremy Piven, who has now won the award three times for his role as Ari Gold on "Entourage." But I would like to pay tribute to Harris, who most certainly made my night. Let's start from the beginning. You see, I had quite a difficult time even getting to the show. Here were some of the pathetic highlights:

- trying to park without a press pass (oops, didn't get one in advance) with nearly every street blocked off in downtown L.A. and obviously, no access to media parking

- finally finding a parking lot that cost $10 about one mile away from the Nokia Theatre and discovering that I had only $3. Upon being told that I couldn't pay later when I came back for my car, I ran to find a sketchy ATM, which I'm sure will result in a case of identity theft.

- a frightening man on the street asking me if I was from Tennessee "because you're the only 10 I see" when I momentarily left my car in a "no parking" zone. I include this not to boast, as I'm sure any passing female would have gotten the same vomit-worthy line. (He clearly wasn't nominated for an Emmy or heading to the show.) Even though I went to USC, I always forget how scary it can be to take a wrong turn in downtown L.A.

- my mile run to the Nokia Theatre (the parking fiasco made me late and I needed to make up some time) with LAPD officers laughing at me, or possibly the fact that my wrap dress kept flying open

- a brisk jog back down to the Staples Center (past the same chuckling cops) to go through security when I was told I had gone the wrong way upon arriving at the Nokia Theatre

- cameo appearances during every media outlet's red carpet coverage. Look for me, I am the embarrassingly underdressed blonde girl in a green dress dripping with sweat and aimlessly walking around trying to find our crew when I couldn't reach anyone on their cell phones.

Needless to say, I was beyond relieved when I finally found assignment editor Kerry Maller and entertainment reporter Christina McLarty. But that relief would fade as hours wore on and a photographer to the left of me collapsed in the heat and an intern for another local station to the right of me broke out into a cold sweat and could barely keep from passing out in her heels. This was not the best day I've had at an event, but interviewing Neil Patrick Harris and having him tell me that he was hot and miserable and didn't even care what the outcome of the show was as long as he would finally be in air-conditioning, filled me with a joy deep from within. You see, my night came down to one moment: talking to Barney Stinson. I only wish the defining moment of his evening – and career – would have been a little more awesome. He's totally going to win next year. True story.

 Jenn McBride

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