Hollywood Exclusive by Marilyn Beck & Stacy Jenel Smith

Neil Patrick Harris, who's open about his relationship with the man he refers to as his better half, actor David Burtka, reveals, "I'd eventually like to be a parent, because I've always thought I would be an awesome dad." But, he notes, "Of course it won't be quite as easy as knocking someone up. Happily, there are options."

Harris, the star of "How I Met Your Mother," has shared life with Burtka since 2004. They haven't married as yet, he says, because "I've had no intention of rushing into something just to prove a point — but I've got my fingers tightly crossed that Proposition 8 will not pass."

He says of the California proposition that calls for the elimination of same-sex couples' right to marry, "It's shocking the lies that are being said, but at the end of the day I just hope that people will realize it's wrong to try and squelch love. It's pure and simple discrimination."

The well-liked actor, who's been a favorite with the public since he starred as "Doogie Howser, M.D." at age 16, is looking forward to Thanksgiving in Los Angeles surrounded by family — his and David's.

Burtka, he says, "is just finishing a year-long course at the culinary school in Pasadena, and he'll be cooking a feast for my parents and his dad and sister. Come Christmas, David and I will fly to be with David's family in Michigan. That's how we've been dividing the holidays for the last few years."

REVVED UP: Rev. Al Sharpton says he was glad to let his guard down and have some fun when "toasted" — as opposed to roasted — on MyNetwork TV's new "Shaken Not Stirred," debuting tonight (10/29). "I'm in a business that's very stressful with civil rights activism, so you covet the moments that you can relax and laugh. When the public sees me, I'm usually on top of a very serious issue. A good part of doing this show for me, and doing other parts like it is that people can watch and say, 'I may not agree with him, but at least he's a human being.'"

Also, the ever-controversial personality is aware that often it's easier to make points when there's humor involved: "It's like taking cough medicine. If you get the cherry kind, you'll swallow it a lot easier."

He admits he was "wary, until I found out what the format was and who was going to be involved.

I'm a huge fan of Anthony Anderson, of Paul Rodriguez, and I know John (Salley) and D.L. (Hughley). D.L. and I don't always agree on politics, but he's a huge talent. The format reminded me of the old Rat Pack gang, but done like 21st century urban. There were a few barbs, looking at the old clothes and hairstyles and the whole bit, and I threw stuff in there about why we do what we do in the movement. It was a good mix."

Sharpton recently told TV Guide that he was asked to join "Dancing With the Stars," but said no because of his hectic pre-election schedule. He may go for it in the future, "if they ask me again. It's a challenge, and I always like a challenge."

THE VIDEOLAND VIEW: D.B. Sweeney, whose series version of "Crash" debuted on Starz last week, believes "cable is a much better model for actors" in terms of shooting a season's worth of shows. "We finished our 13 episodes. You do the work, and then they decide whether to do a second season or not. On network, you do a few, and then you go on the air and you might get cancelled." Sweeney points out that "Crash" was originally planned as a television series, and was revamped into its Academy-Award-winning shape as a feature. "It's actually easier to make as a series, there are so many different stories, ever-extending into the future," he says. His character couldn't be more timely, adds Sweeney. "He's a real estate developer who's over-extended himself and gotten caught in the whole sub-prime mortgage crisis. He gets caught holding the bag and gets into trouble."

SOMETHING DIFFERENT: Phill Lewis of "The Suite Life on Deck" loves playing his much-put-upon cruise ship manager character, but is glad to "keep things fresh" by doing outside work. He has the indie comedy feature "Pretty Ugly People," which is "making the festival circuit. It will probably come out in the spring or summer." And he has the Disney Channel's forthcoming original movie "Dadnapped." "In that one my character is kind of a bad guy, so it was neat to do, and fun to work with Jason Earles, Emily Osment and David Henrie," he says. "I'm knock-on-wood a working actor. I go where I'm called."

With reports by Emily Feimster.

To find out more about Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith and read their past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2008 MARILYN BECK AND STACY JENEL SMITH

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