Out actress and track-suited star of Glee, Jane Lynch, will be hosting this year’s 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards, making her only the second lesbian, after Ellen DeGeneres, to run the biggest award event in television.
On a recent conference call, Lynch fielded questions about what we can expect to see, why she’s a better choice to host than Sue Sylvester, and how she’d like to add the cast of Glee to the show. I would pay good money to see Brittana sing all the nominees’ names.
Question: You’re nominated yourself [for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy]. Do you think that’s going to affect your nerves on the night?
Jane Lynch: I think my nerves will mostly be focused towards doing the show. It’s almost a relief not to have to think about having been nominated. I’m although very, very honored to be nominated and especially honored to be in the group that I’m in.
Question: What was the most unexpected challenge of this gig?
JL: The particulars of what we’re doing are all new and exciting, but I have not been surprised yet, like, “Oh my God, I have to do that.” I don’t have to be propelled onto the stage or anything.
Question: Is the Glee cast is going to be involved in the Emmy production?
JL: As of now, we’re still putting together those pieces, and I’ve pitched a couple of ideas for the cast. So I bet there’ll be an appearance. [But] we haven’t finalized it and I don’t want to give anything away.
Question: FOX President, Kevin Reilly, said that he sees this season of Glee going back to basics. Is that anything that you’ve seen in the early scripts?
JL: Yes. I think what he was talking about is sticking to the story lines of our regular characters. We had a great season last year, but we did kind of go all over the place with guest stars and had a lot of fun. We’re kind of honing in on these stories of these kids, especially [because] several of them will be graduating at the end of the year.
Question: Do you feel responsibility to make sure there’s some gay-centric element to the show?
JL: No… I’m a person, not just a gay person, so I don’t focus on gay things like that. I just focus on good shows and being funny.
Question: If Sue Sylvester were giving you tips on hosting, what would they be?
JL: Find a way to give all of the awards to yourself, I think would probably be her advice.
Question: Why would Sue Sylvester be a better Emmys host than Jane Lynch, and why would Jane Lynch be a better Emmys host than Sue Sylvester?
JL: Jane Lynch will be nicer than Sue Sylvester. Sue Sylvester would make the show explosive. You would walk away with a show you would never forget, if it were Sue Sylvester. But it might be kind of war-like and angry and violent. I think a show with Jane Lynch would be a lot nicer and easier to digest.
With 12 nominations for Glee, including Outstanding Comedy Series, Jane’s nomination, Chris Colfer for Supporting Actor, and Kristin Chenoweth, Dot Jones and Gwyneth Paltrow, all competing for Outstanding Guest Performance, the night is going to be one giant mash-up of love for Gleeks everywhere. Will you be watching?
The 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards is an “eco-friendly and carbon-neutral event,” and will air live on FOX, on Sunday, Sept. 18, 8PM ET/5PM PT.
Be sure to vote in our Emmy poll and tell us who you think would take home the gold if you were on the judging panel!
