Neil Patrick Harris, best-known for his roles as Doogie Howser M.D and Barnabus “Barney” Stinson in the long running TV comedy series How I Met Your Mother, invited an HFPA delegation to the Mecca of the world’s magicians, the Magic Castle in Hollywood. A passionate amateur magician himself, Neil Patrick Harris heads the non-profit  Academy of Magic Arts (AMA) as its President.  He welcomed the journalists and arranged a tour through the many rooms, halls and theatres of the Castle, a Victorian-style showplace for professional illusionists. It was built 1908 as a private residence and converted in 1963 into the current members-only private club. To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Neil Patrick Harris initiated a general overhaul of the aging interior, changing the restaurant and the three main theatres into state-of–the-art facilities. Questioned about the longevity of  How I Met Your Mother, which is in its 9th season, he answered: “It’s real magic“.