Jane Lynch to host the Emmys: A 'Glee-ful' pick?

One-time indie comedienne Jane Lynch is enjoying mainstream success thanks to her acerbic turn as tracksuit-wearing character Sue Sylvester on Glee. She won a best supporting actress Emmy for the role last year and now she's set to host TV's top awards show. Mark Burnett, who'll produce the Emmys this September, said "it-woman" Lynch was his "first — and only — choice" as MC. Though the seasoned 50-year-old actress promises to help Burnett avoid the disaster that resulted from hiring youngsters James Franco and Anne Hathaway to host the Oscars, Lynch's recent joke about wearing her "finest tracksuit" to the event — along with Fox's blatant push to help her score the hosting gig — has some critics worried that the ceremony will turn into an all-Glee promotion. Smart choice?

Absolutely. Tracksuit or not, Lynch is the perfect pick: "If ever there was a moment worthy of breaking into song, surely this is it," says Gina Serpe in Entertainment Weekly. Whether she's in character as Sue Sylvester or being her naturally witty self, this "all-around awesome funny lady" is an exciting choice. And, sorry Jimmy Fallon, but her opening number will be one to beat.

"It's official: Glee's Jane Lynch is hosting the Emmys"

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

No way. Lynch — or rather Sue Sylvester — is stale: "Nothing against Lynch," says James Poniewozik in TIME. She is likable and "a good stage performer," but her Glee character is "overused." When Lynch is forced into her tracksuit-wearing Sue Sylvester persona for the inevitable skit or, worse yet, the entire awards show, it will come off as "unbearably corny."

"Welcome to the Emmys, Jane Lynch. Please leave Sue Sylvester at home"

At least she's not James Franco: Unlike the Oscars' co-host, Lynch has "diverse entertainment skills," says Tom O'Neil in the Los Angeles Times, and we should be celebrating the fact that she's only the third woman to host the ceremony solo. Ultimately, with a solid writing team behind her, Lynch "should be able to shine on all fronts."

"Jane Lynch as Emmys host: Why we should be Glee-ful"