Jane Lynch and Jennifer Coolidge Bond Over Fear of Improv in 'Best in Show'

Published: June 16, 2025

Jane Lynch has revealed that she and Jennifer Coolidge bonded over their shared fear of not meeting the director's expectations for their improv skills in the 2000 comedy film Best in Show.

The two actresses, who played Christy Cummings and Sheri Ann Cabot respectively, attended a 25th-anniversary screening in New York City, where Lynch spoke about their experience working together.

"I was nervous, and Jennifer was really scared too," Lynch said. "We were scared together, so I was really happy to have her with me. We hung out a lot. We were in Vancouver. We walked through Stanley Park together and got to know each other very well."

Lynch also discussed how they prepared for their roles, saying, "We did a lot of talking about our characters and our relationship, and we walked through Stanley Park together. But none of that prepares you for when Chris says, 'Action,' and then the camera goes on and it doesn't stop."

Director Christopher Guest, who moderated the Q&A session, explained that his unconventional filmmaking style can be confusing for some actors. "Typically, in a conventional film, obviously you [rehearse] lines and you do a bunch of takes. This is trusting everything with these artists and saying 'Action,' and then we start to shoot."

The event also featured a panel discussion with Guest, Lynch, John Michael Higgins, and Michael Hitchcock, moderated by Stephen Colbert.