Interview: Jane Lynch Reacts to Her 14th Nomination

A few weeks ago, I sat down with multi-Emmy-winning actress and game show host Jane Lynch to discuss the evolution of NBC’s Weakest Link, and how she and her team of writers keep things fresh. Not only is the game show a reboot of the popular show from 2001, but this current iteration is in its third season and finds new ways to tweak each season to keep things exciting. A few weeks ago, she pointed to the writer’s room and her original tongue-in-cheek style of comedy, for what sets this current game show apart from the original.

This year, the show focused on specialized episodes themed with different groups of contestants from all walks of life. The third season of Weakest Link hosted a Veteran’s Special, a Twins episode, a Drag Queens extravaganza, and more. It paid off for the show, as Weakest Link earned a 2024 WGA nomination, and more recently, Lynch earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Host For A Game Show, which marks her first for the show, bringing her total to 14 Emmy nominations overall. 

We sat down again, this time over the phone, to discuss her exciting 14th Emmy nomination, her first experience attending the Emmys with the cast of Glee, and whether or not she has advice for first-time Emmy nominees. 

Niki Cruz: Congratulations! You are NOT the weakest link. How many people have said that phrase to you over the last few days? 

Jane Lynch: [Laughs] I know! But, it’s a good, obvious joke, and I’ll take it! 

NC: How does it feel to be nominated for your 14th Emmy nomination? 14! It’s wild.

JL: I did NOT know it was 14, and that IS wild. It feels great. It feels really, really, great. 

NC: And this is the first time you’ve been nominated for Outstanding Host For A Game Show, which is pretty unique in and of itself. 

JL:  It’s great. I’m so thrilled. I love this show. And you know, the writers won the WGA [in 2021]. They’re the same writers from Hollywood Game Night, so just the whole team is wonderful. And I’m really lucky to work with these folks, and I think we’re a well-oiled machine at this point.

NC: I didn’t know they were the same writers from Hollywood Game Night!

JL: Yeah, Ann Slichter and Grant Taylor. Then, of course, they have writers around them as well, but those are the two people who follow me around.

NC: I’m curious, where were you when you heard the news and what was your reaction to the Emmy nomination? Were you up watching? I know it was pretty early in California. 

JL: I forgot what I was doing that morning, but my agent sent me a text with a picture of his television and a screenshot showing the nominations, so that was how I learned. 

NC: Who was the first person you told? Did you text anyone? 

JL: Let me think. I don’t think I texted anyone, but I was having coffee, and I told a stranger. [Laughs] And then my sister got a family text, and she put it on there as well. 

NC: You’re nominated alongside some shows that are also rebooted,like Password, Family Feud, and then you have your classics like Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. How does that feel to be in that category with those shows? 

JL: Oh, it’s just great, and there’s also Pat Sajak, who’s been at it for decades, so yeah, it’s really, really good company, and I just love the reboots of these game shows from my youth. They were on in the daytime, and I used to fake sick to stay home and watch them all. I just loved them.

NC: Same here. Bob Barker was a part of my sick days, for sure. 

JL: Exactly. And Alan Ludden, from Password, those were the black-and-white TV days. I loved Match Game and Hollywood Squares; I loved them all. 

NC: And now you get to be a part of that universe even though it’s primetime, which, I’m sure, is really special. 

JL: It’s great, and it’s such a fun thing to do. 

NC: Weakest Link is in its third season. What do you think about this season that makes it so special or noteworthy? 

JL: I don’t think the show necessarily needs it, but we did do some speciality shows, but I think it called attention to itself in a really good way. We had a show about identical twins, and that was amazing. It’s amazing how the twins communicate with each other, almost telepathically. We had a Christmas show with professional Christmas actors who, play Santas and Mrs. Santas. And we had one guy who played an elf, and he never dropped character the whole time. He was wonderful. So that was really fun. We did a wrestling episode with professional wrestles, and oh boy, were they a blast. They were so game because that’s what they do. They commit 100% to fake fighting each other, you know? They’re breaking podiums! 

NC: You have the privledge of being on the other side of a nomination, and actually winning an Emmy. You first won in 2010 for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy for your role on Glee, and you’ve won another 4 Emmys since then. Do you remember the first time winning the Emmy and that first awards ceremony? 

JL: I remember feeling kind of numb about it, and it was just unreal. It was like being in a dream, and I’m backstage with all of these people that I’ve been seeing on television, and now I’m one of them, and I just couldn’t compute, so it kind of left me almost numb, and then it got easier to accept. 

NC: There are a lot of first-time Emmy nominees this year. Do you have any advice for them? 

JL: No, just whatever you’re feeling is appropriate. Let them have their experience.

NC: Only Murders In The Building cleaned up with Emmy nominations, too, and especially Selena Gomez, who earned her first Emmy nomination. How does it feel to see the cast nominated, especially since you’ve been on the show, and have received your own nomination for your work on it as well? 

JL: It’s great. I think it’s 21 nominations, including Meryl Streep, and Paul Rudd. It’s just an amazing thing, and it’s such a wonderful show. It’s done with such heart. John Hoffman, our showrunner, is the nicest guy, and so creative. Steve, Marty, and Selena are so great and funny and wonderful and smart, and it’s one of those things that you go, “Oh, not only is it a wonderful show, but it’s just really great people making it, including the crew.” Of course, the showrunner sets the tone, and everybody else follows that tone. They’re the most talented, nicest team you’ll ever want to work with.

NC: Lastly, I know you’re enjoying your summer, but when do you think the next season of Weakest Link will start? 

JL: I never have any idea and it’s always a surprise to me and it’ll be a surprise to you [Laughs]