Emmys Host Jane Lynch: What the Critics Are Saying

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Critics were mixed about Jane Lynch as host of Sunday's Emmys.

"I hate it already," The Hollywood Reporter's Tim Goodman wrote in his live blog as the opening number kicked off. Of Lynch, he added, "I'm very worried about her. Funny comedian, actress - but that doesn't mean she'll be a great or even good host."

The Glee actress fared better as the show progressed. Goodman wrote, "To her credit, Jane Lynch is getting better" and "I think Jane Lynch made a nice comeback after a rough start. But I can't say the show itself rallied back."

Another bright spot for Goodman: "Love that wrestling though. Jimmy on Jimmy. Those guys can take a good fall. They should have tackled Jane Lynch."

Alessandra Stanley of The New York Times wrote, "Ms. Lynch occasionally stepped up in an appealing way, in one instance making fun of herself for being a “loser” (after not winning the Emmy for best supporting actress in a comedy). When it became clear that Modern Family was running the table, Ms. Lynch wryly announced after a break, “Welcome back to the Modern Family Awards.”

"But a little like the show, she couldn’t be calmed down and made more than one reference to being gay, which didn’t seem that pertinent to the night," added Stanley.

James Poniewozik of Time was a fan of Lynch -- but not the writing.

"As host, Jane Lynch was game and showed multiple talents — she joked, she sang, she did Sue Sylvester (thankfully only briefly, playing opposite herself in a skit). But she had only occasionally good material to work with," he wrote.

Frazier Moore of the Associated Press also gave Lynch props.

"It was funny, bright and skillfully hosted by 'Glee' star Jane Lynch. It moved at a brisk clip, free of the usual stumbles and lulls, and, even better, it flowed almost seamlessly, a next-to-impossible feat for any awards show," he wrote.

Robert Bianco of USA Today was not impressed of the show, but thought Lynch did well.

"Granted, despite the efforts of Glee's Jane Lynch and Survivor producer Mark Burnett, Fox's Emmy broadcast Sunday was not what anyone would call exciting. Without the glamour of the Oscars or the performance power of the Tonys or Grammys, excitement seems to be permanently outside of Emmy's reach — especially now that it's saddled with all those awards for movies and miniseries most people haven't seen," he wrote.

RELATED:

PHOTOS: Emmys 2011: Red Carpet Arrivals

PHOTOS: Emmy's Red Haute Mamas

PHOTOS: Emmy 2011 Nominees

STORY: Emmy Winners React

STORY: Complete List of Emmy Winners