One thing’s for sure: Jane Lynch is not the weakest link. Lynch hosts the now-celebrity version of The Weakest Link, which brings groups of celebrities together to answer everyday knowledge questions in a range of subjects to win money for their chosen charities.
Being a seasoned actress and game show host, Lynch brings a flair to the game like no one else can. She jokingly insults the contestants while secretly wondering if she could have answered that herself.
Season 2, which premieres on September 21, brings together Reality TV villains, 90s stars, Fright Night, Olympians, and more. The season premiere opened with a cutthroat episode of Reality TV Villains, including Richard Hatch (Survivor, House of Villains), Omarosa (Celebrity Big Brother, House of Villains), Tiffany Pollard (Celebrity Big Brother UK, House of Villains), Bob the Drag Queen (RuPaul’s Drag Race, The Traitors), Tom Sandoval (Vanderpump Rules, The Traitors, House of Villains), Monica Garcia (The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, House of Villains), Big Ed (90 Day Fiancé), and Christine Quinn (Selling Sunset, House of Villains).
Here’s what she said about the upcoming season.
Tom Griscom/Fox
What can fans expect from Season 2 of Celebrity Weakest Link?
Jane Lynch: It’s better. It’s competitive, and it’s a lot of fun. These celebrities really come to play, and they’re earning money for charity, so that makes it even better. I’ve just watched all of the episodes, and I’m thrilled with it. Each one is better than the next, so please watch it.
Would you rather the contestants bank after a question or two, or run the full chain?
Well, the funny thing about it is, I don’t think a lot of these celebrities know how to play the game because they answer a question right and then don’t bank. I’m screaming at them in my head to bank. Even if it’s just a small amount, it’s better than walking away with nothing.
Is there an element that you would like to see added to the game?
I would say I like that idea of multiple choice, especially with the harder questions, because sometimes we have very easy questions, like about breakfast cereal or “what shape is a circle?”We’ll have something so easyor so common-senselike that, and then sometimes we havea physics question or an art history question, and I think it might be fun. It would take more time to give a little multiple-choice, but that might be good. I kind of like the way the game is because it really flows. It’s been working since they’ve been doing it in Britain in the ’90s, so you know why mess with it?
Was there a contestant or a group of contestants who surprised you in either agood or bad way?
Yeah, the Olympians. We had a bunch of Olympicmedalists, and they were the least competitive, most kind-hearted, and “let’s just play a game” and supportive of each other. So you haveJohnny Weir and Nancy Kerrigan, Jackie Joyner Kersee, who were all basically bowing to herbecauseshe is the G.O.A.T. She’s an amazing athlete, an amazing medalist, and an amazing human being. So it was really the most feel-good group. They all respected each other, and it was really funto watch.
Do you ever play along and see if you know the answers to the questions?
Oh, I sure do play along, and I find I don’t know a lot of the answers, even the easy ones, like “What shape is a circle?”That would stump me. So, I get the questions ahead of time because I like to get them in my mouth, so I don’t eat up their time by stumbling over words, and of course, Iget the answers too.I am just constantly stunned by how well these people do atanswering these questions with the bright lights, the clock ticking away in the background, me staring at them, and then they’re getting the answers correct. It’s just pretty amazing. And then some people aren’t very good at it, and that’s entertaining too.
Are you ever surprised if there’s a really easy question that contestants get wrong?
Yes. Okay, there’s this guy;his name’s Big Ed. He’s a reality guy. Guys, he’s dumb. I’m sorry. He will even say he’s dumb. Helacks not only general knowledge but common sense. So, in that he was hilarious, and he’s very good-natured. He took the ribbing very well. So, with that one,I was just rolling my eyes the whole time. And you know who else from that show? Do you know who Tiffany Pollard is?Sheis loud and funny and wrong all the time, and somehow she played very well. Like when she was right, she made money. So, she did very well in this game, but it wasn’t because of her knowledge of trivia.
So there aredifferent contestants this year, like Fright Night, Power Couples, ‘90 Stars. Is therea group of celebrities or contestants that you think would be really good that hasn’t played yet?
Someone suggested Weathermen, and it was a weatherman at Good Day New York. That might be fun, and give them questions that have nothing to do with the weather. That might not be that entertaining.Oh! Well, we did a Glee episode last year, and that was sensational. That was off the charts, if I do say so myself. Game show hosts would be fun. How about that? Jane Krakowski? I think that would work out really well.
The premiere is reality TV villains, which we talked about a little bit. Being the villains, would you say that this group wasthe most cutthroat and competitive group of the season?
Yeah, I would say so. They really lived up to their moniker. We’ve had a couple of reality TV groups. We had reality wives last season, and they’re not fooling around. Theyare who they are, and I was surprised. I thought there would be a little like, well, “I play this on TV,” but it’s not who they are like that. And so these were the villains, and they were cutthroat. Tom Sandoval was lovely. I don’t know that you’d even qualify him as a villain after this show. He was so lovely. I think he’s on Vanderpump Rules, and hesupported everybody. He was the nicest one of all of them.
Is there something from the game that is not shown on TV that you think would surprise fans?
With the exception of the reality villains, they all like each other, and even the reality villains, and there was a lot ofrespect. Everybody shows up to play. Everyone shows up to be a part of a team, and not just in the game, but that we’re putting on a television show here, andwe’re stepping up to be entertaining, andnobody loses sight of that. And that’s why I love working with bright and shiny celebrities. I mean, I love the civilians too. We enjoy that, but there’s somethingthat’s got that extra brightness with the celebrities.
Do you think a civilian season would ever make a comeback?
Yeah, I bet, because people love this game, and those episodes are entertaining too.
If you could swap places with a game show host and host their show, who would you pick?
Jane Krakowski on Name That Tune. Although I would find itvery hard to get up to speed onthe rules, I think she’s great, and she’s funny, and it would be really funny if she hosted Celebrity Weakest Link.
Any chance of reviving Hollywood Game Night?
I don’t know. I have not heard any whispers of that. If there is, it’s behind my back.
Celebrity Weakest Link, Mondays, starting September 21, 9/8c, Fox
