Neil Patrick Harris takes his first turn hosting the Oscars tonight, and while we're sure that the multi-hyphenate (actor, singer, dancer, writer, magician, dad, bae, etc.) will blow us away, a little unsolicited advice never hurt anyone.

Or at least, that's what Barney Stinson, Harris' "How I Met Your Mother" character of yesteryear, would say. Here are TK tips from Barney that, if followed, guarantee a legen-waitforit-dary Oscars ceremony.

Laugh with them.

If they're not laughing already, force them to laugh. Boom! Every joke lands!

Don't neglect that cardio.

You think hosting is easy? Newsflash: IT'S NOT. Monologues, dance numbers and teleprompter reading all take endurance, so don't skip those elliptical sessions.

Be confident!

Who's gonna believe in you if you don't believe in you? Nobody, that's who. Get in the game.

Eat up.

Don't go hosting on an empty stomach. You need your strength.

Don't be afraid to utilize props.

You think they're here for you? Like, maybe partly, but they're here for pretty dresses and cute stuff. Use that to your advantage.

Make an entrance.

We're thinking more like a singing and dancing extravaganza than a villainous chairspin, but, hey, we'll take what we can get.

Always come in with a plan.

Script, playbook, whatever you want to call it. Just have one. Be prepared.

Break the rules!

Convention? Psh, who cares. Three words: You. Do. You.

You think it's hard? Good.

It should be hard! Otherwise everyone would do it.