Neil Patrick Harris a Natural Critic on American Idol

Take a peek at a photo of Joe Jonas looking hot. That about sums up what he brought to the American Idol judges table tonight.

Unlike Neil Patrick Harris, who added a certain je ne sais quoi to the panel with his quick wit, laidback vibe and willingness to contradict Simon Cowell. The high-school-drama-teacher sweater vest helped, too.

Combining a certain newbie enthusiasm with the skepticism of the musical theater veteran that he is, 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.

All told, 31 yellow fliers were handed out in Dallas, where a few more standouts joined the ranks of ones to watch in Hollywood, namely Christian Spear, 16; Maegan Wright, 20; Todrick Hall, 24; Dave Pittman, 27; and Lloyd Thomas, 29.

SOURCE