Entertainment

‘Glee’ character Sue Sylvester to channel Michele Bachmann

Laura Donovan Contributor
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Villainous “Glee” cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester, portrayed by comedienne Jane Lynch, will mimic conservative presidential candidate Michele Bachmann in the television show’s third season.

Speaking to MSNBC host Lawrence O’Donnell on Tuesday, the evening of season three’s much-awaited premiere, Lynch said her intolerant, heartless, scheming high school instructor character will channel the Minnesota congresswoman, who recently said anti-gay bullying is “not a federal issue” and therefore doesn’t warrant government intervention.

“Right now, where we stand now, I’m anti-arts,” Lynch said of her character, who takes a swipe at “sneaky gays” in an online clip/outtake.

The clip includes Sylvester stating that she denies her gay intern health care. A proud lesbian in real life, Lynch plays an astoundingly narrow-minded, malicious teacher in the series.

“Sneaky gays are everywhere. At the church, at the mall, picking up the meticulously dressed fastidious children from daycare,” Sylvester says. “And that just don’t sit right with… Sue Sylvester.” (RELATED: ‘Bruised-up Barbie’ picture to be auctioned off, benefit anti-domestic violence charity)

When O’Donnell asked Lynch whether her character’s statements reflect what Bachmann wants to say or would say, the actress answered, “Yes.”

Lynch, whose character will be running for Congress with an anti-arts program campaign, agreed with O’Donnell that there are lots of folks out there who truly believe such extra-curricular activities should be axed.

“It almost makes it less funny because it is very very real… There are people who think that,” Lynch said. “I guess [the ‘Glee’ creators] want to kind of put it out there in the light of day and say this is what some people think.”

Last June, “Glee” creator Ryan Murphy admitted to TV Guide that the show had disparaged conservatives that year.

“We’ve taken a couple jabs at the right wing this year,” Murphy said.


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Watch: Lynch talking to O’Donnell about “Glee”