After a brief but intense period of speculation, it's official: "Glee" star Jane Lynch will host the 63rd Annual Emmy Awards, Fox announced on Thursday. The ceremony wll air live on Sunday, September 18 on Fox from Los Angeles' Nokia Theatre L.A. Live.
Lynch, who portrays sharp-tongued cheerleader coach on Fox's musical series "Glee," is inheriting the hosting duties from late-night host and former "Saturday Night Live" cast member Jimmy Fallon, who emceed the Emmys last year. Fallon's turn at the wheel was highlighted by the opening musical number, a spoof on the Bruce Springsteen classic "Born to Run" — which, perhaps not so coincidentally, included the cast of "Glee," Lynch included.
“When our host has comedic, dramatic and musical talents – as Jane proved in last year’s opening number – we know it’s going to be fun for us and for the audience at home,” Academy of Television Arts & Sciences chairman and CEO John Shaffner said in the announcement.
Emmys producer Mark Burnett — who called Lynch his "first — and only" choice for the hosting gig — echoed Shaffner's sentiment, adding, “She has incredible comedic timing,
and is a charismatic, talented actress whose energy leaps off the screen and stage. I am thrilled
and excited to have her as our host.”
Declaring herself to be "tickled pink" to land the job, Lynch added, "I’m looking forward
to singing, dancing and sporting my finest tracksuit."
Nominations for the 63rd Annual Emmy Awards will be announced at 5:40 AM PT on July 14 at the Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre, on the campus of the Academy of
Television Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood, CA.
Read the full press release below.
More to come….
JANE LYNCH TO HOST “63RD PRIMETIME EMMY® AWARDS”
AIRING SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, LIVE ON FOX
Emmy Award-winning actress Jane Lynch will host the 63RD PRIMETIME EMMY® AWARDS
airing live from the NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles on Sunday, Sept. 18, on FOX.
“We’re delighted to have Jane Lynch host the Primetime Emmys this year,” said John Shaffner,
Chairman and CEO, Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. “When our host has comedic,
dramatic and musical talents – as Jane proved in last year’s opening number – we know it’s
going to be fun for us and for the audience at home!”
“Jane was my first – and only – choice as the host for this year’s Primetime Emmys, and I am
glad she said ‘yes,’” said executive producer Mark Burnett. “She has incredible comedic timing,
and is a charismatic, talented actress whose energy leaps off the screen and stage. I am thrilled
and excited to have her as our host.”
“I am tickled pink to be hosting the Primetime Emmys on FOX,” said Lynch. “I’m looking forward
to singing, dancing and sporting my finest tracksuit.”
“Jane Lynch is one of the most gifted and entertaining actresses in film and television today,
and we are thrilled she will be hosting the Primetime Emmys on FOX,” said Mike Darnell,
President of Alternative Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. “With her background in
improvisation, her incredible comedic timing and a worldwide fan base that spans all ages, Jane
is the perfect person to help us make this year’s show absolutely unforgettable.”
Nominations for the 63RD PRIMETIME EMMY® AWARDS will be announced at 5:40 AM PT on
Thursday, July 14, from the Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre, on the campus of the Academy of
Television Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood, CA.
Best known for her breakout role as “Sue Sylvester” on the multiple-category Primetime Emmy-
winning GLEE, Jane Lynch cut her theatrical teeth at The Second City, Steppenwolf Theatre
and in many church basements all over the greater Chicago area. In 2010, Lynch won an Emmy
Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her work on GLEE.
In addition to her starring role on GLEE, Lynch’s television credits include “Party
Down,” “Lovespring International,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Weeds” and “The L Word.”
Lynch has had recurring roles on “Boston Legal,” “Criminal Minds,” “The New Adventures of
Old Christine” and “Two and a Half Men,” for which she received an Emmy nomination for
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series.
Her film credits include “Julie & Julia,” “Shrek Forever After,” “Post Grad,” “Paul and Brownie
Masters,” “Role Models,” “The Rocker,” “Spring Breakdown,” “Space Chimps,” “Alvin
and the Chipmunks,” “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story,” “Talladega Nights: The Ballad
of Ricky Bobby,” “The 40 Year Old Virgin,” “Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate
Events,” “Sleepover” and “Surviving Eden.”
Additional film credits include Christopher Guest’s “For Your Consideration,” “A Mighty Wind”
and “Best In Show”; Margaret Cho’s “Celeste and Bam Bam”; and Alan Cumming’s “Suffering
Man’s Charity.” Lynch was recently cast in the remake of “The Three Stooges,” which is
currently in production.
Lynch’s theater work includes “Oh Sister, My Sister!” at the Tamarind Theatre and Bang
Theater, which garnered the LA Weekly Comedy Ensemble of the Year Award. In addition, she
recently hosted the 2010 Do Something Awards, and her memoirs, “Happy Accidents,” will be
released in September.
Executive-produced by Mark Burnett, the 63RD PRIMETIME EMMY® AWARDS on FOX will
originate from the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles.
