Tuesday, October 14, 2014

AFT Awards: Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series

This is the twelfth category of the 8th Annual AFT Television Awards, my personal choices for the best in television during the 2013-2014 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 Guest Actress in a Comedy Series


Last year’s nominees: Bess Armstrong, Maggie Grace, Allison Mack, Dawn Olivieri, Alanna Ubach

Emmy nominees: Uzo Aduba, Laverne Cox, Joan Cusack, Tina Fey, Natasha Lyonne, Melissa McCarthy

Semi-finalists: None

Finalists: Kristen Bell (Parks and Recreation) was the ultimate embodiment of Eagleton, a buttoned-up, all-too-perfect braggart always eager to share her excessive accomplishments. Heather Graham (Californication) was a magnet of sexual energy completely flabbergasted by her appeal yet not above using her sway over men to her advantage. Mercedes Masohn (Californication) had a brief but memorable role as an actress well aware of what she wanted and how she could get it. Laverne Cox (Orange is the New Black) crafted one of her show’s emotional centerpieces, a strong soul whose happiness was hampered by the impossibility of her situation. Tracy Spiridakos (Episodes) was a dead ringer for sister/mother Morning, and showed that she actually has acting talent beyond the horror that is “Revolution.”

The nominees:

Linda Cardellini (New Girl) had a blast playing the most manipulative person possible, delighting in making others do her bidding. Tatiana Maslany (Parks and Recreation) was sweet and funny portraying just one version of herself who could make Tom fall into line with just a look of disbelief. Gaby Hoffmann (Girls) let loose her crazy in just the right way as Adam’s sister and a terrible personality fit for Hannah. Taryn Manning (Orange is the New Black) molded a religious zealot so overcome by her own self-obsession that she lost her way.

The winner:

Uzo Aduba (Orange is the New Black) made sure that Crazy Eyes had a heart and that her every tic and oddity wasn’t expressed in vain but in deep pursuit of a stabler sensibility.

Next up: Best Directing for a Drama Series

No comments: