Jayma Mays first came to my attention in 2007, as the saving grace in Epic Movie. Playing Lucy, Mays' character was a spoof from the DaVinci Code that was afraid of the talking beaver. Unfortunately once the movie ended I left the theater never to think of Mays again. Until I saw her on Heroes anyway.I immediately fell in love with the waitress Charlie that was possibly the nicest character on TV I've had the pleasure to watch. I'd gladly give Charlie a big tip if she were my waitress. Unfortunately she died. Even more unfortunate, for me at least, they wrote a spin-off book of Mays' episode which I bought. And never finished.
Charlie (or another Charlie anyway) then appeared on Ugly Betty. "Hey! You were called Charlie on Heroes too!" I said when I saw her on screen. "Like rain on your wedding day, that's ironic!"
But then Charlie started talking and Jayma Mays became my least favorite person ever. Not because of anything she did, but because Charlie came between Betty and Henry and I just wasn't going to stand for that. When Charlie left the show I said good riddance, and couldn't help but to think that Sylar killed the wrong Charlie.
Apart from an episode of Pushing Daisies I didn't see anymore of Jayma, and I was OK with that, seeing as how she stole Henry.
Then a few months ago I saw Paul Blart: Mall Cop and was surprised to see Mays in it...and absolutely loved her. Playing kiosk worker Amy, Mays channeled dead Charlie and became, in my opinion, the star of the movie. Amy, while not a character that was developed much, became someone I would love to be friends with, because of how sincere she was. I especially loved her unconditional love of Paul. Sigh. It was fantastic. After Paul Blart I knew that Jayma could do no wrong. Anything she did in her career from this point on I would support.
Then I saw the preview episode of Glee...and totally agreed with past me - Jayma was brilliant. She made the character of Emma real; not easily accomplished in a pilot episode where you aren't the main character. I can hardly wait to see new episodes of the series this fall when it returns full time.
I am proud to announce Jayma Mays as the first recipient of the Too Much Rock Seal of Approval.
