Jane Lynch — an Emmy nominee again for ‘Hollywood Game Night’ (NBC)
Jane Lynch is heading to the Emmys again, nominated for the second year in a row for a statue for her work helming NBC’s “Hollywood Game Night.”
She won the award last year for hosting the competition show that’s part trivia contest, part guessing game, and a whole lot of party for celebrities and contestants.
On Thursday night, Access Hollywood caught up with the actress/host who dished on where she was when she got the news, her Emmys night strategy and what’s coming up next on her NBC game show.
AccessHollywood.com: Where were you [when you got the Emmy news]?
Jane Lynch: I was actually driving to Starbucks. I’m on vacation… and I was driving to Starbucks to drive back to LA from a meeting and I got a bunch of texts at like, gosh, what 9 o’clock in the morning.
Access: Darren Criss got a nomination too. … I don’t know if you two had connected yet?
Jane: Not yet, no. I didn’t even know that. Did he get it for the song he wrote?
READ: Emmy Nominations 2015: The Stars React
Access: Yes. [Editor’s note: Darren was nominated for Outstanding Original Music & Lyrics for ‘This Time,’ from ‘Glee.’]
Jane: That’s great. I will definitely text him after. I didn’t even know. I saw the list, but I guess they didn’t go down to the nitty-gritty on the list. I saw the major ones, but that’s great. I’m so happy for him.
Access: You won last year [for Outstanding Host for A Reality Competition Program]. Does that make it any easier in picking what you’re going to submit for them to consider?
Jane: No, in fact I was just going to talk to [the show’s publicist] about that. I have no idea what to submit. I have no idea. They showed me the names of the episodes and it’s not jogging my memory at all, so [the publicist] and I are going to have a little talk.
Access: You have done this so many times before. How much preparation goes into getting ready for the Emmys? You have to get clothes and…
Jane: Yeah, you do, dontcha? … I have a couple of people who know how to make a dress for me, but I think I’m more in a tux mood these days, so I don’t know what I’ll do. I have a stylist who’ll help me. But yeah, I guess there’s a lot that goes into it. I’m thinking about it right now as you’re mentioning it, so I guess I better start making some decisions because I think I have what, a whole month?
Access: It’s fun, being able to get dressed up and go to an awards show; everybody’s looking really nice. That’s got to be part of the fun of being nominated?
Jane: It is. It really is and it’s such a thing to look forward to and I mean, I know not everybody gets to do this so I feel really lucky and I’m really looking forward to August.
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Access: Are you guys still taping [‘Hollywood Game Night’]?
Jane: No, we did 10 of them, and we do those in April.
Access: Next week’s episode is going to have Josh Groban on it. How competitive is he?
Jane: He’s one of the most charming, nicest guys in the world. He wasn’t like overly competitive. He was a lot of fun, he was a great team player. He’s really smart, and he tells some very funny stories.
Access: And then you had Jerry Ferrara from ‘Entourage’ and Michael Chiklis.
Jane: Oh yeah, Michael’s great. He’s been on before. He plays the drums with the band for a little bit.
Access: Who is bugging you about coming back on the show?
Jane: Well, if anybody wants to come back, they’re welcome. So I mean, Tom Arnold’s been on, I think four times. Let’s see, Rosie O’Donnell’s been on twice, so we love having people come back. A lot of people have come back. It’s been great. Anthony Anderson was on twice.
Access: Who just got nominated [for an Emmy on Thursday for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy series his work on ‘black-ish’].
Jane: Yeah, I know. Fantastic. He’s such a great guy and very happy for him.
Access: Who’s the most competitive celeb you’ve had on ‘Hollywood Game Night’?
Jane: Anthony was quite competitive and loud and aggressive and so was Yvette Nicole Brown. In fact, they went at each other pretty hard. Nate Berkus, he’s very excitable. I don’t know if he’s the best player, but he’s the most excitable.
Access: How do you get through the Emmys? Obviously it’s like a gauntlet… you have to get ready, go, there’s tons of traffic, it’s hot, then you have to go through all these red carpet interviews. Do you have any sort of tips that you use to get through it? Listen, Jane, we know you’re calm, cool and collected and confident, but I’d be interested in knowing how you handle it all.
Jane: A moment at a time and I enjoy it all. I don’t dread it. I think it’s a lot of fun. I’ve done it in the rain, I’ve done it when it’s really, really hot. I’ve done it when it’s really, really cold, you just — you know you’re breathing rarified air and I’m always grateful for that.
Access: And Andy Samberg’s hosting this year. Have you spoken at all since you hosted [the Emmys before yourself]?
Jane: No, he has not asked me for my advice. I don’t think Andy Samberg needs anybody’s advice, but I’m sure it’s going to be a unique telecast, because he’s a really unique guy. I love his sense of humor. I worked with him on ‘Saturday Night Live’ and I did a film short with him and he’s just the best.
READ: ‘Black-ish’: Anthony Anderson ‘Over The Moon’ Following Emmy Nom
The Emmys air September 20 on Fox. “Hollywood Game Night” continues Tuesdays at 10 PM ET/PT on NBC.
— Jolie Lash
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