Tuesday, August 14, 2012

AFT Awards: Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

This is the fourth category of the 6th Annual AFT Television Awards, my personal choices for the best in television during the 2011-2012 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: Jane Adams, Tamsin Greig, Laura Linney, Amy Poehler, Emmy Rossum

Emmy nominees: Zooey Deschanel, Lena Dunham, Edie Falco, Tina Fey, Melissa McCarthy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Amy Poehler

Semi-finalists: Krysten Ritter (Apartment 23), Dreama Walker (Apartment 23), Yvonne Strahovski (Chuck), Beth Behrs (2 Broke Girls), Tina Fey (30 Rock), Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds)

Finalists: Laura Dern (Enlightened) transformed her pilot’s character into an abundantly hopeful, wonderfully strange creature. Jane Levy (Suburgatory) found her show’s funk and defined it with sarcasm and endless eye rolling. Laura Linney (The Big C) got pushier as her symptoms increased and retreated, yet she still emphasized her bizarre embrace of life. Emmy Rossum (Shameless) got less responsible as she continued her matriarch role, and watching her unravel and put herself back together was a unique treat. Jane Adams (Hung) got in over her head and responded with predictable overreaction and zaniness.

The nominees:

Amy Poehler (Parks & Recreation) had a whole new plotline and welcomed it with open and hilarious arms. Lena Dunham (Girls) wrote and directed herself, alienating many but amazing those who found her character utterly irresistible. Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep) truly broke the Seinfeld curse by embodying the lewd, lazy lead figure of her show’s brilliant ensemble. Kat Dennings (2 Broke Girls) didn’t let a single opportunity for a zinger pass her by, working endlessly to insult anyone she encountered.

The winner:

Zooey Deschanel (New Girl) found a magnificent role for her adorable personality, and worked spectacularly with her male costars to create an endearing, lovable, dorky lead character.

Next up: Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

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