As the reigning Emmy champ in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy category, Jane Lynch was all but guaranteed a trip to this year's Emmys as a returning nominee. But two weeks ago, Lynch added a considerable new wrinkle to her 2011 Emmy experience: she's also hosting the show, bringing a touch of her indelible "Glee" character Sue Sylvester – she of the track suits and withering putdowns – to the stage of the Nokia Theater on September 18.
On the heels of a season that ended with the death of her character's sister, Lynch is shooting scenes as Mother Superior in the Farrelly brothers' "Three Stooges" movie, and also finishing her memoir, which will be published in the fall. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Have you had any meetings about what you'll be doing on the Emmys?
We haven't talked at all about it, so it's the great unknown right now. I just know that I'm doing it, that's all.
Did you say yes right away when they asked?
Yes, yes, I did. It was the same cocktail of feelings that I had when they asked me to do "Saturday Night Live": extreme fear, trepidation and yet elation.
"SNL" seems to have become the proving ground for awards show hosts – if you can host that show, they figure you can host the Oscars or the Emmys.
I enjoyed that a lot. I got all the jitters out at rehearsal that night. By the time they were doing the opening credits, I was backstage in that tiny little area before you come out, and I was cool, I was okay. Although I watched it the other day with my daughter, and I look so caffeinated and hopped up.
Last year's host, Jimmy Fallon, was a very active host: he did the big opening number that you were in, and then other musical numbers in the show as well. How do you see yourself doing the job?
I don’t know. Jimmy did a couple of musical numbers, and I enjoy them, so I would love that. But I have to meet with the writers. The thing that was inspiring about him is that he makes it look easy. He doesn't stress, he's all smiles, and he just is who he is.
Can you be that relaxed and stress-free, even if you’re both the host and a nominee?
Yeah. If I feel I'm taken care of, and I always am, absolutely. I have great faith that I will be prepared, and all I'll have to deal with is some adrenaline, and hope it doesn't overtake me the way it did in the monologue on "Saturday Night Live."
When you won an award from Outfest last year, you said that your personal hero was Carol Brady, from "The Brady Bunch." What would she advise about hosting the Emmys?
"Just do your best, and that's all you can ask.
