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Why Jane Lynch will make a better Emmy host than Ryan Seacrest

By Joel Keller

June 6, 2011 7:46 PM ET

When it was announced that FOX and the television academy were looking to sign Jane Lynch as the host of the 63rd annual Primetime Emmy Awards, it seemed like a natural fit.

In the span of two years, Lynch has become one of the network's biggest stars, winning an Emmy and a Golden Globe for playing Sue Sylvester on "Glee." So it wasn't a big shock to learn that Lynch, ever the loyal soldier, gladly accepted and will be hosting the show.

But it's not like she's the network's only big star, and it seemed strange that Ryan Seacrest, who hosted the Emmys the last time FOX aired them in 2007, was barely mentioned as a contender. After all, he is the host of FOX's biggest show, "American Idol," and has emceed so many shows that he could do the Emmy job in his sleep.

Look closely, though, and you'll realize why Lynch is better for the job than Seacrest, and why, if given the right material, she has the potential to do an excellent job in the role.

The biggest and most obvious advantage Lynch has over Seacrest is that she's funny. The one thing that's absolutely critical in any awards show host is that the person needs to be funny, and in a way that can be creative but not be so edgy as to suck the life out of the room, as Ricky Gervais quickly found out during this year's Golden Globes.

One of the reasons why Jimmy Fallon's turn as host last year was deemed such a success, for instance, was that his brand of humor was playful and creative -- the "Glee"-tastic version of "Born To Run" that opened the show was something that not many comedians can pull off. Lynch has the ability to balance on that line.

Contrast that with Seacrest, who's about as funny as a punch in the gut. His Emmy monologue from 2007, where he told awkward jokes, guessed who designed the dresses and shoes of the "Desperate Housewives" cast, and generally strained to show that he really was hilarious, was just uncomfortable to watch. His vanilla presence was likely one of the reasons why the show got some of its lowest ratings ever.

Not only is Lynch funny, but she has fantastic improv skills. Sure, Seacrest can think on his feet, but anyone who saw Lynch and her uproariously funny performances in Christopher Guest movies such as "Best In Show" and "A Mighty Wind," much of which was improvised, showed that she could be funny when called upon.

Even though an awards show host generally fades into the woodwork after the initial splash of the opening number and monologue, there is a need for that host to react to events on stage, whether it's a rambling acceptance speech, a royal screw up by a musical act, or a naked man streaking across the stage. And while Seacrest has the ability to react, Lynch can react and be funny about what she's just seen.

But what her presence as Emmy host also reflects is FOX's future. Even though "Idol" still gets blockbuster ratings, and its just-completed 10th season was a critical success, it's a show whose best days are behind it. "Glee," meanwhile, is entering its third season and, even though the show exhausted many critics over its second season, the build-up for the third season among the show's fans will be at a fever pitch by the time the Emmys air on Sept. 18. There's a buzz around the show and Lynch, that isn't really there for "Idol" anymore.

Finally, there's more than an even shot that Lynch will win a second statuette in the supporting actress in a comedy category. So the potential for the host to be a high-profile winner probably didn't stray far from the minds of the network, the academy and producer Mark Burnett when they sought out Lynch as host.

To say that Lynch was an inspired choice for host would be a stretch, mainly because it didn't seem like FOX really had any other choice. She's their biggest comedy star and the alternatives weren't pretty. But Lynch has the ability to do a great job ... as long as she doesn't look to her fellow FOX star for any inspiration.

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Photo/Video credit: FOX

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