AFT Awards: Best Comedy Series

This is the twentieth category of the 3rd Annual AFT Television Awards, my personal choices for the best in television this past season. This year, semi-finalists are included to recognize more of the impressive work being done on television today. Nominees are pictured in the order I’ve ranked them.
Best Comedy Series

Last year’s nominees: Californication, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Flight of the Conchords, 30 Rock, Weeds

Emmy nominees: Entourage, Family Guy, Flight of the Conchords, How I Met Your Mother, The Office, 30 Rock, Weeds

Semi-finalists: The second seasons of Californication and Flight of the Conchords had high points, but as a whole weren’t nearly as cohesive as their debuts last year. Pushing Daisies needed more time to find its footing, but it was cancelled prematurely and therefore couldn’t reach its potential. Ugly Betty remained entertaining, and the characters are still fabulously outrageous. Better Off Ted got off to a great start, and the second half of its first season, airing during the summer after the close of the 2008-2009 TV season, was even better.

Finalists: Eastbound and Down managed to be so much smarter than it should have been and actually compelling in only six episodes. Psych was amusing and devilishly clever. The Office featured the strong Michael Scott Paper Company arc, but wasn’t as solid overall as it has been in past years. Monk’s case were for the most part quite fun, and new therapist Hector Elizondo fit in just right. Weeds explored more dramatic territory in its fourth season to great effect.

The nominees:
Chuck was comically brilliant and always action-packed, greatly improved from its still-good first year. Secret Diary of a Call Girl was a fantastic, insightful look at one woman’s very unique life. 30 Rock was witty and irreverent with plenty of laughs to go around. Burn Notice combines action and adventure with a terrific comedic cast. Parks and Recreation was so much more than just a rip-off of “The Office,” and its six initial episodes were immensely promising.

That’s a wrap for the 3rd Annual AFT Awards! I don’t actually get to give out any prizes to my winners, but Emmy voters do! Check back starting tomorrow for Emmy Awards winner predictions in each category. And don’t miss the 4th Annual AFT Awards, coming summer 2010!