Jane Lynch: “Playing pure evil is delicious.”

Despite her amazing ability to play antagonistic character  parts, Jane Lynch is actually (at least over the phone) a very down-to-earth, kind person. When I met the kids of Glee earlier this summer, they were unanimous in saying that they adored watching Lynch work, but often were unable to keep their laughter quiet, and cited her as a role model. “Really? That’s sweet of them,” she said, and then went on to praise the young actors in turn for their enthusiasm and dedication.

“These kids are having the time of their lives,” she said. “They’re wonderful to watch … they don’t take anything for granted.” She’s equally as effusive with her praise with the writers and producers, describing them as “always pitch-perfect.” Lynch says she’s having a great time being a regular on a show instead of constantly guest staring everywhere. “It’s lovely to have somewhere to hang my hat,” she said. “It’s nice to finally get to watch a character develop… I was looking for that.” Plus, she’s a fan of her costume of permanent track suits. “Really,” she said, “Do you know how wonderful it is to get to work and put your pajamas back on?”

Lynch truly seems to revel in her role as Sue Sylvester, the coach of the high school’s cheerleading squad, the Cheerios, the glee club’s arch-enemy, and the show’s resident sociopath (or, well, one of them.) “I love playing pure evil,” she said. “It’s delicious.”

Lynch says she landed the role due to her friendship with one of the show’s creators, Ryan Murphy, who she had previously worked with on Popular. Though she was quickly cast and the part was written, in part, with her in mind to play it, she says she has no hand in developing the character, and is just as excited to see just how far the writers will take her.

“In every first draft, there are jokes that are so offensive that we know they’re going to get cut,” she said, though she wouldn’t give any concrete examples. And, considering how offensive the show can (and will) get, that was probably for the best. Though Sue does shock even Lynch. She cited Sue’s efforts that will be shown in future episodes to break up the glee club from within by exploiting their differences of race, physical ability, sexuality, and gender. “Sweet, huh?” She laughed. Lynch was quick to assure that we would see a softer side of Sue, saying that we will meet some of her family, and that for a brief moment, “a gentleman will touch her heart.”

Unlike her character, Lynch is a huge music fan, even of what she calls “bad” music.  While Sue does not sing in the episodes filmed so far, Lynch says that Sue does do a lindy hop with Mr. Schuester that she describes as “something I had no business doing.” To answer the ever-popular question, if she could sing any song for the show, it would be “Roses Turn” from Gypsy.

Also unlike her character, Lynch has huge sympathy for the Glee kids, who she says remind her of people she knew when she was younger and in particular, identifies with Tina. “She’s hugely talented, but always holding back,” Lynch explained, going on to say that she could identify with all of the younger character’s hunger to have their voices be heard. She attributes the success of the show to that, saying that even non-theater people can understand what that’s like and how that feels.

Well, people besides Sue Sylvester.

And don’t worry, television fans who miss Lynch in other roles. While she is looking to settle down, she’s still going to, to some extent be that woman you know and love her as: the one who’s everywhere. She confirmed that she will be in the season premiere of Two and a Half Men, though she says, due to scheduling, her role in that show will probably not become recurring, and plans to guest in one more episode of Party Down. She’s also going to be reading a new Nora Ephron play in New York City in October and November. She’ll part of the rotating cast until she hears if Glee has been picked up for the back nine episodes. (And both Lynch and I fervently hope it will be.)

Clacked by Julia Hass
on Sep 12, 2009 @ 12:00 EST5EDT