Jane Lynch returns to host ‘Hollywood Game Night’

PASADENA, Calif. — Jane Lynch’s hosting duties on “Hollywood Game Night” are an extension of the bashes she tosses at home.

The “Glee” star says she likes creating and hosting a space for her friends to have fun.

“When I have a party, I usually spend it in the kitchen cleaning up and making sure people have a good time,” she said Sunday. “This job is perfect for that skill-set.”

Sean Hayes, her friend and the show’s co-creator, added, “She has a very caretaking personality.”

Lynch returns for the NBC game show’s second season on Monday night, with back-to-back episodes that include celebrities Rosie O’Donnell, Alyssa Milano and Mario Lopez. Fifteen new party games will be played, along with some holdovers from last season.

Hayes (“Will and Grace”) came up with the show’s premise based on the game nights he hosts at home.

He told the Television Critics Association meeting that celebs are now calling up the producers asking to be on the show, which features two contestants on teams with celebrities playing games for the chance to win $25,000.

Among the games is one in which a contestant uses as few words as possible to describe a topic, like the Oscars, that their teammates try to guess.

Lynch and Hayes said Jason Sudeikis of “Saturday Night Live” fame was among the most competitive celebrities who’ve been on the show.

Contestants and celebs who get eliminated can take solace in the functioning, on-set bar. Without naming names, Lynch said a few guests have overindulged.

Hayes said NBC recently ordered 10 additional episodes. Variations on the teams, including pitting casts from different shows or spouses against each other, are being discussed.

The show’s success has spawned board and card games that will released this year.