Jane Lynch: Comedic Genius

Christy Cummings, Best in Show

Laurie Bohner (A Mighty Wind), Cindy (For Your Consideration) (her other roles in Christopher Guest movies)

If you hadn't guessed by now, I am a fan of the Guest films. While Lynch is given the most room to shine in Best in Show, she also does her part in A Mighty Wind and delivers one of the only truly funny performances in the not-so-great For Your Consideration. For those not familiar with Guests' work, it is worth noting that the movies he writes and directs are unscripted -- a skeletal outline is given to the actors who roll with whatever character they are playing. The result is quite often ridiculously funny (see especially Catherine O'Hara's portrayal of a lower-middle class travel agent in Waiting for Guffman). If you like Jane Lynch or anyone in the huge ensemble Guest brings together in these films (Parker Posey, Eugene Levy, Michael Hitchcock, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, and oh so many more), check them out. They are a unique experience and contain some of the funniest lines in movie history (if you ask me).

Favorite quote from A Mighty Wind, Laurie Bohner describes her past:

Cindi Lightballoon (Arrested Development)

Many fans of the cult (now mainstream) hit Arrested Development took note of a guest role for Lynch as Cindi Lightballoon, a government spy sent to the prison to get information on George Sr.'s many crimes. It is a classic comedy set-up, and Lynch hits it out of the park. She puts up with George Sr.'s babblings about Judaism and becomes one of his converts and admirers. Lightballoon is as silly as her name implies, but again Lynch is able to sell the character.

Sadly, Youtube does not see fit to honor Lynch's performance with a video, so here is a favorite quote about Cindi Lightballon: "Who is this great redwood of a whore?"-- Lucille Bluth discovers Lightballoon has been fooling around with her husband, George Sr.

Sue Sylvester (Glee)

If you haven't heard of Coach Sue Sylvester, you are in for a real treat. Lynch plays the betracksuited, harsh and demanding coach on Fox's Glee -- a show you probably already love or hate. While the Glee storylines waver in their differing amounts of camp, sentimentality, and downright incoherence, there is one character that keeps me coming back for more: Sue Sylvester. She is the rival of Will Schuester (played by Matthew Morrison), coach of the titular glee club. Her hobbies include is making jokes about his over-gelled hair and calling the guidance counselor, Emma, different names that start with vowels (Irma, Ella, Eileen, etc).

Some of her best moments come from a stint on a local news station where she has an opinion segment "How Sue C's it":"I'll often yell at homeless people: 'Hey, how is that homelessness working out for you? Try NOT being homeless for once." Lynch brings her talent for improvisation and willingness to say anything offensive for a laugh to the role, and Sue Sylvester is absolutely hilarious because of it.

There are many, many Sue Sylvester quotes that are great, and here is one of my favorites:



I hope that some of these Lynch moments have inspired you to dig deeper in the comedic catalogue Lynch has crafted over the years. She is one of the strongest comedic actresses working today, and it is awesome that Glee is giving her a chance to shine.

Related:

We KNEW Glee was going to be good

Lauren also wrote about why great shows like Arrested Development may have been cancelled too soon

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