NBC NAMES EMMY AND GOLDEN GLOBE WINNER JANE LYNCH AS HOST OF NEW GAME SHOW SERIES "HOLLYWOOD GAME NIGHT" FROM PRODUCER SEAN HAYES

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - February 22, 2013 - Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner Jane Lynch has been named as host of NBC's "Hollywood Game Night" - a new game show series from fellow Emmy-winning actor/producer Sean Hayes and Todd Milliner ("Grimm," "Hot in Cleveland") that features A-list celebrities hanging out and playing games with fun-loving non-celebrity contestants in a cocktail party atmosphere.

The announcement was made today by Paul Telegdy, President, Alternative and Late Night Programming, NBC.

"With Jane Lynch on board as our host, we now have a key component in place that will further enliven the sheer fun of a raucous Hollywood party that will include real everyday people," said Telegdy. "Her exuberant wit and ability to think quickly will be the perfect match for our show which will give viewers a fresh look inside the off-set lives of their favorite celebrities -- and allow them a chance to win money as well."

"I'm so thrilled to let the world in on the fun with Sean at 'Game Night'!" said Lynch. "The format is sure to provide a lot of unexpected results that will keep everyone off-balance and entertained."

Lynch, who will soon be seen on Broadway in "Annie," cut her theatrical teeth at The Second City, Steppenwolf Theatre and in many church basements all over the greater Chicago-land area.

Her recent feature-film credits include "A.C.O.D," "Three Stooges," "Wreck-It Ralph," "Julie & Julia," "Shrek Forever After," "The Post-Grad Survival Guide" and "Paul and Brownie Masters." Lynch's past film work includes Christopher Guest's "For Your Consideration," "A Mighty Wind" and "Best in Show," as well as "Role Models," "The Rocker," "Spring Breakdown," the animated film "Space Chimps," "Alvin and the Chipmunks," "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story," "Talladega Nights," "The 40 Year Old Virgin," Margaret Cho's "Celeste and Bam Bam," Alan Cumming's "Suffering Man's Charity," "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events," "Sleepover" and "Surviving Eden."

In addition, she can currently be seen in the Ryan Murphy-produced television series "Glee," for which she won an Emmy and Golden Globe Award for portraying the iconic television character of Sue Sylvester. Some of her other recent credits include the STARZ series "Party Down," "Lovespring" (a Lifetime original series), "Desperate Housewives" and "Weeds" as well as the last season of "The L Word" opposite Cybill Shepherd. She has recurring roles on "Two and a Half Men," "Criminal Minds" and "The New Adventures of Old Christine. "

Lynch's play "Oh Sister, My Sister!" had runs at the Tamarind Theatre and Bang Theater, and garnered the LA Weekly "Comedy Ensemble of the Year Award." She also authored the autobiography "Happy Accidents," which topped several national bestseller lists, including The New York and Los Angeles Times.

The hour-long game show series from Hayes ("Will & Grace," "Hot in Cleveland") is based on his real-life "game nights," showcasing popular celebrities enjoying themselves in a cocktail party environment.

"Hollywood Game Night" -- which has an eight-episode order -- brings both players and viewers into the exclusive world of Hollywood royalty as celebrities gather for a fun, pop-culture based game night. The mood is lively, playful, and spontaneous -- with flowing drinks, passed hors d'oeuvres and a live house band.

At the end, one of the two contestants will walk away with a cash prize and a night of stories and memories for friends and family back home. Featuring well-known names from the world of television, film, sports and politics, among other entities, this isn't a typical game show -- it's a peek behind the curtain of the Hollywood scene and a chance to hang out for a night with a group of your favorite celebrities.

"Hollywood Game Night" is produced by Hazy Mills Productions (NBC's "Grimm," "Hot in Cleveland, "Soul Man"), Mission Control Media (Syfy's "Face Off"), and Universal Television. Hayes, Todd Milliner, Michael Agbabian and Dwight D. Smith are the executive producers.