AFT Awards: Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

This is the eleventh 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 Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

Last year’s nominees: Alan Alda, Demian Bichir, Peter Dinklage, Jon Hamm, Steve Martin

Emmy nominees: Will Arnett, Jon Hamm, Neil Patrick Harris, Mike O'Malley, Eli Wallach, Fred Willard

Semi-finalists: Fred Armisen (Parks and Recreation), Will Arnett (30 Rock), Jon Hamm (30 Rock), Mike O’Malley (Glee), Oliver Platt (30 Rock), Adam Scott (Parks and Recreation), Justin Theroux (Parks and Recreation)

Finalists: James D’Arcy (Secret Diary of a Call Girl) was a more than worthwhile addition to the cast who had interesting insight as someone who knew Belle in both her lives. Neil Patrick Harris (Glee) was a blast as an old nemesis of Will’s whose singing and dancing was quite enjoyable. Adam Scott (Parks and Recreation) hasn’t yet had much to do, but was mesmerizing as a stoic (possible) suitor for Leslie. Matt Damon (30 Rock) came from out of nowhere to play Liz’s dream husband and responded to the call with just the right mix of fake seriousness and full-on comedy. Ray Wise (Psych) milked his role as a possibly guilty priest for all it was worth and then some.

The nominees:

Adewale Akkinuoye-Agbaje (Monk) lightened up from his uber-serious Mr. Eko and showed that he had a great sense of humor as a mourning man in love and in need of Monk. Peter Gallagher (Californication) was an excellent flustered target for Hank’s shenanigans and one of the reasons this season was so great. Michael Sheen (30 Rock) proved that, while there isn’t only one Wesley Snipes, this one is pretty damn nerdy and funny. Rob Lowe (Parks and Recreation) brought a completely appropriate quirky character to a show full of them and blended in (or rather, stuck out) wonderfully.

The winner:

Brandon Routh (Chuck) enhanced NBC’s action comedy from his very first moment on screen as the coolest spy ever with a few secrets of his own.