AFT Awards: Best Comedy Series

This is the twenty-first and final category of the 7th Annual AFT Television Awards, my personal choices for the best in television during the 2012-2013 seasons. Finalists and semi-finalists are included to recognize more of the impressive work done on television today. Nominees are pictured in the order I’ve ranked them.

Best Comedy Series

Last year’s nominees: Girls, House of Lies, Modern Family, Parks and Recreation, Veep

Emmy nominees: The Big Bang Theory, Girls, Louie, Modern Family, 30 Rock, Veep

Semi-finalists: Apartment 23, Common Law, Girls , House of Lies, The Mindy Project, Modern Family, Royal Pains, 30 Rock, White Collar

Finalists: Californication brought new characters into the mix to make Hank’s wildest escape one of his most enjoyable yet. Wilfred was clever and fun as usual, but more impressive due to its surprising dramatic side. Weeds finished out its run with a consistent and compelling final arc. New Girl was somewhat uneven in its second season, but when it was great, it was a blast. Ben and Kate was a fun new comedy with an endearing cast, and it would have been nice to see more of it.

The nominees:

Veep hit its stride in its second season, letting its characters come to life even more as its story took over. Episodes was even wittier and more entertaining in its second season as it explored new relationships and situations for its characters. Shameless was depraved as ever in season three, and almost a pleasure to watch. Enlightened was at its strongest as its plot came to a head, and its characters and their journeys were simply terrific.

The winner:

Parks and Recreation is still going strong five seasons in, and continues to be the most enjoyable and hilarious show on television.

Next up: That’s a wrap! Detailed Emmy winner predictions by category begin shortly – stay tuned!