AFT Awards: Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

This is the seventh 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 Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Last year’s nominees: Ty Burrell, John Benjamin Hickey, Rob Lowe, Nick Offerman, Eric Stonestreet

Emmy nominees: Ty Burrell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Max Greenfield, Bill Hader, Ed O’Neill, Eric Stonestreet

Semi-finalists: Ted Danson (Bored to Death), Zack Galifianakis (Bored to Death), Mike White (Enlightened), Michael Clarke Duncan (The Finder), Josh Lawson (House of Lies), Ben Schwartz (House of Lies), Lennie James (Hung), Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family), Ed O'Neill (Modern Family), Lamorne Morris (New Girl), John Krasinski (The Office), James Spader (The Office), Aziz Ansari (Parks & Recreation), Rob Lowe (Parks & Recreation), Corbin Bernsen (Psych), Dule Hill (Psych), Timothy Omundson (Psych), Paulo Costanzo (Royal Pains ), Justin Chatwin (Shameless), Zach McGowan (Shameless), Cameron Monaghan (Shameless ), Jeremy Allen White (Shameless), Tracy Morgan (30 Rock), Willie Garson (White Collar)

Finalists: John Benjamin Hickey (The Big C) and Oliver Platt (The Big C) tackled new business ventures, providing enormous entertainment in the process. Matt Walsh (Veep) took deadpan to a whole new level on a show filled with it. Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family) complained and charmed just like always, delivering each of his lines and scenes with extra enthusiasm. Jason Gann (Wilfred) stuck to his shtick with dedication as the world’s most foul-mouthed dog.

The nominees:

Nick Offerman (Parks & Recreation) had to contend with new layers of friendship and a number of Tammys, and he stayed strong with nothing but a big mustache and a few choice eyebrow movements. Tony Hale (Veep) was the ultimate lapdog, boasting a surprising lack of shame in his steadfast dedication to his often demeaning job. Ty Burrell (Modern Family) stood out for the third season in a large ensemble as the most affable member of an extended family, skilled in both verbal and physical comedy. Jake Johnson (New Girl) turned a relatively bland character into an endearing and entertaining buddy.

The winner:

Max Greenfield (New Girl) stole his every scene by committing to a preppy character completely oblivious to how the rest of the world perceives him.

Next up: Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series