Windy City Times: So, tell our Windy City readers about your new show on Starz called Party Down.

Jane Lynch: Party Down is about six caterers. There are six actors. It's an ensemble. We go to a different party every week. Basically, we are all wishing we were somewhere else. When you are a young person, waiting tables is a way station. It's the thing that you do to make money in order to do what you really want to do. In my case, Constance's case, she's been at it since her 20s. Although she's an aspiring actress, I think she probably really just likes catering.

WCT: That's hilarious, already!

JL: She loves everyone there. She loves the job. She loves going to a different party every week. For her, it is not so much waiting for that big break; it's been 20 years now.

WCT: In what ways are you like or different than Constance?

JL: Well, I certainly would not be able to play her if it were not in me somewhere. She's patient and she moves slowly. She operates from a very soft cotton place. She doesn't have much ambition. She's very "in the moment" and doesn't pay attention to details so much. She's kind of oblivious in many ways—not the brightest light.

It's kind of a relief to put on the bowtie everyday. It's kind of nice to slow down and not care too much about everything.

WCT: Did you become involved with the show because of Paul Rudd producing?

JL: Well, that was the start, of course. I know Rob Thomas and Dan Etheridge but my connection was Paul. He told me about it when we were doing 40 Year Old Virgin. He said that he would let me know when it happens and that took a year before we actually shot it. We shot the pilot maybe two years ago. The pilot, you will see, is re-shot. It's brand spanking new.

WCT: Are there perks to doing a TV show as opposed to making a movie?

JL: With this show we worked every day. We had two cameras going all the time. Sitcoms are notoriously easy on your schedule. This one was pretty full. We were pretty darn busy.

WCT: Now that The L Word is over, you have more time on your hands. What did you like or dislike about that show looking back on it?

JL: I didn't dislike anything. It was a real treat to go off to Vancouver every couple of months and do a scene with Cybill Shepherd. I really enjoyed it. I liked the people there from the producers to the cast. It was a real fun group of people. I was just at a party last night with all of them. It was really great to be a part of that group.

WCT: You did a Margaret Cho movie called Bam Bam and Celeste. Have you ever wanted to do standup like her?

JL: No, not my thing.

WCT: Your timing is great. I could just see you doing that.

JL: Well, thanks but not my cup of tea. Margaret is so great at it. She is one of a kind. She's absolutely revolutionary.

WCT: You also have several movie projects coming out in the future, such as Julie & Julia.

JL: It's coming out in August. It's with Meryl Streep and written and directed by Nora Ephron. Streep plays Julia Child. Her husband is played by Stanley Tucci, and I play her sister. The movie has two time periods in it. We are in 1949 and Amy Adams is the other lead that runs concurrently. It's wonderful. It's about food and passion.

WCT: What was it like working with Meryl Streep?

JL: She goes above and beyond. She transcends it. It was a dream come true working with her.

WCT: I heard you are a big Olivia Newton-John fan. My friend just saw her in concert last night in Florida.

JL: I was a huge fan of hers. I didn't know she was doing concerts. I met her once at a movie premiere.

WCT: So you are from Dolton, Ill., correct?

JL: Exactly.

WCT: When's your next appearance in Chicago? You just did the Human Rights event last year.

JL: Well, I come back to see my family all the time. I am kind of busy now doing a show on Fox called Glee through June so [ I'll ] hopefully get a week back home.

WCT: Well, it sounds like you are a busy woman.

JL: I am. Party Down kept me really busy, but it was a joy and probably the most fun I have had doing a project where we got really close. It was a joy to go to work every day.

Get ready to "party down" with Jane Lynch at the premiere show on Friday, March 20, on the Starz network. See www.starz.com .