AFT Awards: Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

This is the eighth 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 Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Last year’s nominees: Kristin Chenoweth, Jenna Fischer, Ashley Madekwe, Portia de Rossi, Vanessa Williams

Emmy nominees: Julie Bowen, Jane Krakowski, Jane Lynch, Holland Taylor, Sofia Vergara, Kristin Wiig

Semi-finalists: Sharon Gless (Burn Notice) – nominated in Emmy Drama category, Traylor Howard (Monk), Rashida Jones (Parks and Recreation), Jane Krakowski (30 Rock), Maggie Lawson (Psych), Jayma Mays (Glee), Reshma Shetty (Royal Pains)

Finalists: Julie Bowen (Modern Family) had the very difficult job of being the straight man in a cast of wacky characters and pulled it off magnificently. Jenna Fischer (The Office) had two wonderful hour-long episodes to get married and have a baby and excelled in both of them. Vanessa Williams (Ugly Betty) tried for her final revenge against the Meade family, and it was just as deliciously evil and fashionable as ever. Robyn Cohen (Gravity) was hypnotic in her all-too-few scenes as a quirky suicidal wife on Starz’s underseen cancelled series. Becki Newton (Ugly Betty) was energetic and clueless like always, and I can’t wait to see her in next role on NBC’s “Love Bites” sometime this coming season.

The nominees:

Jane Lynch (Glee) didn’t initially do much singing but stole every scene she was in with her harsh and incredible insults. Sofia Vergara (Modern Family) found a sticking series and a great role as the extremely Colombian and very often incomprehensible mother of one and wife of another. Portia de Rossi (Better Off Ted) burst bubbles and devastated dreams as the one and only Veronica Palmer in ABC’s tragically cancelled workplace comedy. Ellie Kemper (The Office) was this season’s best find as she came into her own as the permanent receptionist who was even sweeter and more willing to put up with Michael than her predecessor.

The winner:

Audrey Plaza (Parks and Recreation) was unrelentingly hilarious in what could have been a forgettable, throwaway part, and the way she dryly delivers every one of her lines is unparalleled.

Next up: Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series