AFT Awards: Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

This is the fourth category of the 4th 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 Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Last year’s nominees: Tina Fey, Natasha McElhone, Billie Piper, Amy Poehler, Yvonne Strahovski

Emmy nominees: Toni Collette, Edie Falco, Tina Fey, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Lea Michele, Amy Poehler

Semi-finalists: None

Finalists: America Ferrera (Ugly Betty) sent Betty Suarez off with a wonderful final look at this unique and marvelous character. Krysten Ritter (Gravity) crafted an enormously intriguing personality out of a damaged girl who sells makeup at a department store and changes lives (watch this show!!!). Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds) took Nancy down an even slipperier path than ever as she struggled to hold on to her life and her sanity. Yvonne Strahovski (Chuck) actually changed as she combated her feelings for two different agents. Gabrielle Anwar (Burn Notice) refused to put up with Michael as usual as she helped her with even more shenanigans.

The nominees:

Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation) was always airheaded but surprisingly talented and endearing as the hard-headed Leslie Knope. Billie Piper (Secret Diary of a Call Girl) went public but remained just as personal as she experimented with yet another doomed relationship. Tina Fey (30 Rock) handled hallucinations and more insurgency from her cast as comically brilliantly as ever. Jane Adams (Hung) was a surprisingly talented and altogether entertaining pimp for the show’s newfound gigolo.

The winner:

Lea Michele (Glee) led the cast of the season’s biggest sensation with perfect pitch not only in song but also as the unpopular perfectionist and perpetually performing Rachel Berry.

Next up: Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series