AFT Awards: Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series

This is the twelfth category of the 5th 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 Actress in a Comedy Series

Last year’s nominees: Eva Amurri, Kristin Chenoweth, Embeth Davidtz, Diane Farr, Kristin Kreuk

Emmy nominees: Elizabeth Banks, Kristin Chenoweth, Tina Fey, Dot Marie-Jones, Cloris Leachman, Gwyneth Paltrow

Semi-finalists: Kristin Chenoweth (Glee), Megan Mullally (Parks and Recreation), Alanna Ubach (Hung)

Finalists: Harriet Sansom Harris (Desperate Housewives) was delightfully deranged in a very welcome recurring return. Gabourey Sidibe (The Big C) proved that her film debut wasn’t a fluke with this surprisingly fresh and unapologetic part. Charice Pempengco (Glee) barely had anything to do but made a magnificent impression in the course of just two appearances. Parker Posey (Parks and Recreation) was impossible impolite and entirely committed to crafting the meanest person Pawnee has ever seen. Alanis Morissette (Weeds) lent unexpected depth and personality to one of Andy’s inevitably disastrous flings that almost worked out.

The nominees:

Cynthia Nixon (The Big C) was brash, bold, and didn’t hold anything back as a self-centered friend of Cathy’s with an intriguing attraction to Sean. Emily Bergl (Desperate Housewives) was instantly enticing and mysterious, hypnotic until her character arc came to a tragic, fitting end. Gwyneth Paltrow (Glee) demonstrated a warm, playful spirit and a gamesmanship that allowed her to share the spotlight with a bunch of teenagers. Autumn Reeser (Entourage) was passionate, immutable, and a bright spot in an otherwise less than notable season.

The winner:

Joan Cusack (Shameless) owned her deeply phobic character and made Sheila one of the most intriguing parts of each and every episode.

Next up: Best Directing for a Drama Series