I cannot remember a day when Jane Lynch wasn’t on television or film. Her credits range from Frasier to Popular, Lemony Snicket to Julie & Julia, and everything in between. She is hilarious, with her dry-wit and cunning insults, and although she doesn’t take the red carpet spotlight, she sure does take center stage in comedies. From The 40 Year Old Virgin to Glee, here is my ode to the great Jane Lynch.
In 2005, Lynch played Steve Carell’s boss in The 40 Year Old Virgin. Lynch’s character, Paula, was a straight-shootin’ pot head who was more than willing to make Andy her “friend with benefits.” During her proposition, Paula said “I’m very discreet… but I will haunt your dreams.”
Lynch took on the role of Gayle Sweeny, head of Sturdy Wings, in 2008. In the film Role Models, Danny (Paul Rudd) and Wheeler (Seann William Scott) are sentenced to 150 hours of community service after trying to drive their Minotaur vehicle off a tow truck. The men take on Sturdy Wings, mentoring two youngsters, under the watchful eye of Gayle Sweeny. There are so many inappropriately funny lines in this film, for one: “I’m not here to service you, I’m here to service these young boys.” F.Y.I., Role Models is hilarious and seriously underrated.
Today Jane Lynch can be seen on FOX’s mega-hit Glee. Playing cheer coach Sue Sylvester, and host of news segment “Sue’s Corner,” Sylvester has it out for Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison) and his Glee Club. All Gleeks know how funny Jane Lynch can be improvising hilarious lines on the prime-time show. One such Sueism, “you do with your depressing little group of kids what I did with my wealthy, elderly mother. Euthanize it!” Or how about this little number from “Sue’s Corner”: “I’ll often yell at homeless people: ‘Hey, how is that homelessness working out for you? Try not being homeless for once.’” If you haven’t checked out Glee, Jane Lynch’s insults are sure to make it worth your while.
From tracksuits to office attire, Jane Lynch can slip into any role with perfection. She is a force to be reckoned with in the comedy world and I can’t wait to see promos for her next project, Paul, set to be released in 2010 starring Jason Bateman, Jeffrey Tambor, Seth Rogen and Kristen Wiig.