Emmy host Neil Patrick Harris talks about the controversial changes being made to TV kudofest

The Emmy Awards won’t be handed out until late next month but a decision to pre-tape some of the awards before the live telecast has host Neil Patrick Harris and the show’s producers in the hot seat.

The practice, called “time-shifting,” has upset some members of the Writers Guild of America, including Marc Cherry of Desperate Housewives, so much that they have signed a petition critical of the decision. Two of the awards that will be pre-taped are writing awards.

Harris addressed the controversy Monday at the Television Critics Press Tour event in Pasadena at which he appeared via satellite from Canada: “I think there is a bit of miscommunication about what time-shifting means. We’re just trying to edit down the standing and the hugging … and the walking down the aisle.”

“I hope [the writers] won’t be when they see what we end up doing,” he added. “It’s certainly not out of a lack of respect or anything. It’s so we can show the best show we can to the audience.”

Hey, everyone deserves their moment in the sun but the Emmy telecast had record low ratings last year and something has to be done to stop the bleeding! Besides, the Grammy Awards only present about a dozen if their 100-plus awards on television in order to focus on the entertainment.