Neil Patrick Harris, who’s received lukewarm reviews for his performance as this year’s Oscars host, got more than a few laughs and appreciative applause for his Birdman parody bit that saw him walk on stage in a pair of briefs.

Neil Patrick Harris’ Birdman Parody

Harris made reference to Birdman, which ultimately won Best Picture at the 87th Academy Awards, by embodying Michael Keaton‘s character in a scene in which he runs through Times Square in nothing but his underwear. After taking off his robe, he walked with confidence through the halls backstage, stopping to reprimand a drumming Miles Teller before emerging onstage.

At the microphone, Harris, naked expect for his tighty-whiteys, socks and dress shoes, declared, “Acting is a noble profession. Announcing the next two presenters, he added, “And the future of our profession is in good hands with young actors like our next two presenters. Please welcome the radiant Margot Robbie and my favorite drummer Miles Teller.”

In a post-show interview with Live! with Kelly and Michael hosts Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan, the hosts commended Harris for a job well done at the Oscars – and for his bravery going nearly-nude on the Oscars stage. They also inquired about whether or not there were any enhancements in his briefs.

“No enhancements, but I’ll tell you what happened,” said Harris. “They always want you to be in funny costumes as the host. … I’m not one for crazy costumes. I don’t love it, but the Birdman bit seemed funny, and so we thought it’d be a fun thing to do, and it seemed appropriate at the time.”

“So we did the dress rehearsal, and I just had the pair of regular underwear on. But the lights! They see-through things!” Harris explained. So the Academy or the network or someone said we had to do something so you couldn’t tell my religion. So what they did was they had to take a second pair and sew it to the first to make it so that you couldn’t sort of see through it.”

“But, no sock!” Harris added.