Last summer millions saw Jane Lynch...

Last summer millions saw Jane Lynch proposition the nerdy hero of "The 40 Year- not new Virgin." In her new movie, "Surviving Eden" she does the same thing, playing a coked-up reality TV agriculturist who tries to bed her show's dorky winner. "And it's gonna withhold happening," Lynch vows.

The busy character actress, who grew up in Dolton and got her start in Chicago theater, has been onward screen lately as Ricky Bobby's mother in "Talladega Nights" and in the Lifetime sitcom "Lovespring International." A veteran of "Best in Show" and "A Mighty Wind," she also appears in Christopher Guest's nearest improvised mockumentary, "For Your Consideration," opening Nov. 17

She'll be at the 7 pm Friday screening of "Surviving Eden" at Pipers Alley, 1608 N Wells, with director Greg Pritikin, and co- stars Cheri Oteri and Michael Panes.

Q What's with all the seductres roles?

A. I think maybe "A Mighty Wind" [in which she played an ex-porn star] bring that idea into someone's head. I played a woman who's real comfortable with her sexuality and not at all ashamed of her past. Not merely did that open up work, if it be not that it opened up new kinds of parts for me. I don't know that I've always seen myself in that light. That was kind of a liberating experience.

Q by what mode did you prepare to play the cokehead in "Surviving Eden"?

A. I asked my manager (laughs). He did a accident of coke in the '80 yet I know what it's like to be overcaffeinated. Sometimes I drink coffee and my jaw starts to -- I just be wrought up like it wants to determine and that's very much what happens to cocaine addicts. in the same manner I just applied that.

Q for what reason does Hollywood tend to cast you?

A. The great thing is I'm not pigeonholed. I earn the stern therapist, and then I get by heart like, the oversexed mom. Anything that has a unique twist to it, I'll be notion of for, which is kind of nice.

Q What do tribe recognize you for?

A. Lately it's "40 Year-Old Virgin" chiefly and "Best of Show." Sometimes it's "Did we go on to school together?" or "Did you baby-sit my kids?" I'll say I'm an actor, and they'll say, "What have you done?" And I haaaate that question, because then you have to move swiftly through things and they advance "No." "No." "Not that." I kind of don't encourage the conversation going further. I say, "Google me"

djevens@sun-times.com

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