Wednesday, August 15, 2012

AFT Awards: Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

This is the eighth 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 Actress in a Comedy Series


Last year’s nominees: Julie Bowen, Rebecca Creskoff, Kathleen Rose Perkins, Aubrey Plaza, Sofia Vergara

Emmy nominees: Mayim Bialik, Julie Bowen, Kathryn Joosten, Sofia Vergara, Merritt Wever, Kristen Wiig

Semi-finalists: Gabourey Sidibe (The Big C), Diane Ladd (Enlightened), Maddie Hasson (The Finder), Mercedes Masohn (The Finder), Rebecca Creskoff (Hung), Sofia Vergara (Modern Family), Jenna Fischer (The Office), Ellie Kemper (The Office), Rashida Jones (Parks & Recreation), Maggie Lawson (Psych), Brooke D'Orsay (Royal Pains), Joan Cusack (Shameless)

Finalists: Allison Williams (Girls) crafted a marvelously self-involved and mesmerizing character that could have been just a pretty face. Analeigh Tipton (Hung) allowed her curiosity and enthusiasm to be her guide, creating the show’s best character of the season. Zosia Mamet (Girls) had precious little screen time, but didn’t stop talking for a second of it. Julie Bowen (Modern Family) ran for office and didn’t lose any of her individualistic qualities in the process. Emma Kenney (Shameless) got the chance to grow up a bit and welcomed it with open, overly mature arms.

The nominees:

Aubrey Plaza (Parks & Recreation) actually started doing her job decently and made a few accidental friends in the process. Cheryl Hines (Suburgatory) didn’t let anything get her down, a nice treat after the subdued wife she played on “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Hannah Simone (New Girl) started out as a tangential character but quickly became intrinsic to the show, embracing and contrasting wonderfully with its heavy testosterone. Anna Chlumsky (Veep) followed a director to TV and got a role worthy of her fast-talking, sarcasm-heavy talents.

The winner:

Kristen Bell (House of Lies) got an amazing role on a great show and didn’t disappoint, embracing the show’s offbeat nature with her own sardonic energy.

Next up: Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series

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