AFT Awards: Best Comedy Series

This is the twentieth category of the 2nd Annual AFT Television Awards to be announced, my personal choices for the best in television this past season. Nominees are pictured in the order I’ve ranked them.

Best Comedy Series

Runners-up: Entourage continues to be a great show; I just didn’t have room for it in my top five. The Office had some great episodes, but overall an uneven shortened season. Pushing Daisies was invigorating and inventive, and should only improve when it gets more time to develop. Both Psych and Monk are wonderful Friday night shows with just the right mix of comedy and drama.

The nominees:

Flight of the Conchords is the wackiest, most original and hilarious show I’ve seen in a long time. 30 Rock is just as wacky and supremely clever, and continues to improve with age. Californication is a fantastic comedy with an intelligent storyline and superb characters. Curb Your Enthusiasm is just as offensive and funny as ever. Weeds is staying strong as its storylines continue to warp and Nancy’s life becomes even crazier.

AFT Awards: Best Drama Series

This is the nineteenth category of the 2nd Annual AFT Television Awards to be announced, my personal choices for the best in television this past season. Nominees are pictured in the order I’ve ranked them.

Best Drama Series

Runners-up: Dexter went a bit downhill in the latter half of its otherwise terrific sophomore season, and if the Emmys can place it as their sixth nominee, so can I. Battlestar Galactica had its up-and-downs, but a few of the episodes were truly terrific. The L Word benefited tremendously from a complete makeover. In Treatment presented an engaging format with some occasional truly stunning and shocking personal interactions. Dirty Sexy Money didn’t really have a chance to develop, but it was wildly entertaining so far.

The nominees:

The Closer had its best season yet, spotlighting each member of the cast and establishing an effective continuing narrative. Mad Men captured the 1960s with style and a tone and feel reminiscent of “The Sopranos”. Brotherhood continues to be a terrific underseen mob drama. Jericho gave it its all in a sadly limited seven episodes, and went out with a bang. Lost came back in a major way with a dazzling, game-changing season with some excellently memorable moments.

AFT Awards: Best Ensemble in a Comedy Series

This is the eighteenth category of the 2nd Annual AFT Television Awards to be announced. My ensemble awards (a category not rewarded by the Emmy Awards) represent the best cast working together. Shows with smaller casts are left off the list simply due to the fact that there is not as much potential to create a stellar ensemble with only a few cast members.

The nominees:
CALIFORNICATION
ENTOURAGE
THE OFFICE
PUSHING DAISIES
30 ROCK

And the winner is...
THE OFFICE

AFT Awards: Best Ensemble in a Drama Series

This is the seventeenth category of the 2nd Annual AFT Television Awards to be announced. My ensemble awards (a category not rewarded by the Emmy Awards) represent the best cast working together. Shows with smaller casts are left off the list simply due to the fact that there is not as much potential to create a stellar ensemble with only a few cast members.

The nominees:
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA
BROTHERHOOD
THE CLOSER
DIRTY SEXY MONEY
MAD MEN

And the winner is...
DIRTY SEXY MONEY

AFT Awards: Best Writing for a Comedy Series

This is the sixteenth category of the 2nd Annual AFT Television Awards to be announced, my personal choices for the best in television this past season. Nominees are pictured in the order I’ve ranked them.

Best Writing for a Drama Series

The nominees:

The Office, “Dunder Mifflin Infinity”
30 Rock, “Seinfeld Vision”
The Office, “Dinner Party”
Californication, “Pilot”
Pushing Daisies, “The Fun in Funeral”

AFT Awards: Best Directing for a Comedy Series

This is the fifteenth category of the 2nd Annual AFT Television Awards to be announced, my personal choices for the best in television this past season. Nominees are pictured in the order I’ve ranked them.

Best Comedy for a Drama Series

The nominees:

30 Rock, “Cooter”
Californication, “California Son”
Weeds, “Go”
The Office, “Dunder Mifflin Infinity”
Pushing Daisies, “Pidgeon”

AFT Awards: Best Writing for a Drama Series

This is the fourteenth category of the 2nd Annual AFT Television Awards to be announced, my personal choices for the best in television this past season. Nominees are pictured in the order I’ve ranked them.

Best Writing for a Drama Series

The nominees:

Dexter, “The Dark Defender”
Lost, “The Beginning of the End”
Battlestar Galactica, “Guess What’s Coming to Dinner”
Dirty Sexy Money, “The Chiavennasca”
Mad Men, “The Hobo Code”

AFT Awards: Best Directing for a Drama Series

This is the thirteenth category of the 2nd Annual AFT Television Awards to be announced, my personal choices for the best in television this past season. Nominees are pictured in the order I’ve ranked them.

Best Directing for a Drama Series

The nominees:

Dirty Sexy Money, “The Chiavennasca”
Mad Men, “The Wheel”
Lost, “The Beginning of the End”
Jericho, “Patriots and Tyrants”
Dexter, “The Dark Defender”

AFT Awards: Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series

This is the twelfth category of the 2nd Annual AFT Television Awards to be announced, my personal choices for the best in television this past season. Nominees are pictured in the order I’ve ranked them.

Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series

Runners-up: Elaine Stritch seems like the only person who could ever play Alec Baldwin’s mom on “30 Rock”. Janeane Garofalo is a wonderfully neurotic girlfriend for Alan on “Two and a Half Men”. Lindsay Leikin is an excellent psychic match for Shawn on “Psych”. Edie Falco is a terrific Democratic girlfriend for Jack on “30 Rock”. Polly Bergen is both funny and moving as Lynette’s mother on “Desperate Housewives”.

The nominees:

Kerry Washington is a bundle of energy as Gus’ wife (?!) on “Psych”. Amy Ryan is the perfect subdued match for Michael as Toby’s replacement on “The Office”. Susan Blakely is marvelous as an older woman who almost tames Charlie on “Two and a Half Men”. Brooke Smith and Mary-Kate Olsen are great on “Weeds” as Nancy’s husband’s ex-wife and Silas’ pot-dealing Christian girlfriend, respectively.

AFT Awards: Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

This is the eleventh category of the 2nd Annual AFT Television Awards to be announced, my personal choices for the best in television this past season. Nominees are pictured in the order I’ve ranked them.

Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

Runners-up: Matthew Broderick is a terrific government patsy who joins forces with Jack Donaghy on “30 Rock”. The late Stanley Kamel is an irreplaceable shrink for Monk on the show of the same name. Will Arnett is a magnificent adversary for Jack on “30 Rock”. David Schwimmer goes nuts for the environment – and nuts in general – as an actor on “30 Rock”. Alfred Molina turns in an amusing turn as a suspect in a case for “Monk”.

The nominees:

Matthew Modine is a wonderfully smarmy smooth-talker on “Weeds”. Dean Winters epitomizes the word “asshole” but you have to love him on as subway hero Dennis on “30 Rock”. Jerry Seinfeld parodies himself well on “30 Rock”. John Amos is great fun as Gus’ uncle on “Psych”. Lou Diamond Philips is a hilariously muscular government agent on “Psych”.

AFT Awards: Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series

This is the tenth category of the 2nd Annual AFT Television Awards to be announced, my personal choices for the best in television this past season. Nominees are pictured in the order I’ve ranked them.

Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series

Runners-up: Kate French plays a great naïve, spoiled actress on “The L Word”. Gina Gershon is entertaining as a woman who dares to give Tommy her number while he’s on a date on “Rescue Me”. Sonya Walger completes the Desmond-Penny love story on “Lost”. Jaime Murray was incredible in the first half of “Dexter” this year, though her character’s turn for the worst in the second half leaves her here. Cybill Shepherd continues to be a force to be reckoned with as the explorative Phyllis on “The L Word”.

The nominees:

Lucy Lawless is the most bad-ass Cylon model ever on “Battlestar Galactica”. Frances Sternhagen is the perfect complement to onscreen daughter Kyra Sedgwick on “The Closer”. Jennifer Esposito is among the few women in the world who can make Tommy feel inferior on “Rescue Me”. Mira Sorvino has amazing, unexpected chemistry with Hugh Laurie on “House”. Shoshannah Stern protects her home with all she has on “Jericho”.

AFT Awards: Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series

This is the ninth category of the 2nd Annual AFT Television Awards to be announced, my personal choices for the best in television this past season. Nominees are pictured in the order I’ve ranked them.

Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series

Runners-up: James Patrick Stuart is a great sarcastic foil to Kyra Sedgwick’s stubborn deputy chief on “The Closer”. Robin Williams is a compelling villain on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”. Fredric Lane makes a great timely alibi on “The Closer”. Robert Morse hits just the right note as the less visible ad firm partner on “Mad Men”.

The nominees:

Dohn Norwood dominates a serious episode of “The Closer” as a politician concerned about his community. Glynn Turman is moving as Blair Underwood’s father on “In Treatment”. Charles Durning is a magnificent broken alcoholic on “Rescue Me”. D.B. Sweeney makes a polo shirt menacing as a fixer on “Jericho”. Steven Culp is great as a no-nonsense prosecutor on “The Closer”.

AFT Awards: Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

This is the eighth category of the 2nd Annual AFT Television Awards to be announced, my personal choices for the best in television this past season. Nominees are pictured in the order I’ve ranked them.

Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Runners-up: Allie Grant manages to upstage a lot of her older, more experienced costars on “Weeds”. Melissa McCarthy is chatty and funny on “Samantha Who”. Ana Ortiz is a sympathetic sidekick on “Ugly Betty”. Elizabeth Perkins, in a more limited role, is still wickedly funny. Cheryl Hines gets laden with the straight man role, but pulls it off with style on “Curb Your Enthusiasm”.

The nominees:

Kristin Chenoweth is positively delightful the resident optimist on “Pushing Daisies”. Jenna Fischer is more charming than ever as Pam on “The Office”. Becki Newton is blissfully dumb on “Ugly Betty”. Jean Smart and Jennifer Esposito are wonderful comic support on “Samantha Who”.

AFT Awards: Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

This is the seventh category of the 2nd Annual AFT Television Awards to be announced, my personal choices for the best in television this past season. Nominees are pictured in the order I’ve ranked them.

Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Runners-up: Kevin Nealon is wildly ridiculous on “Weeds”. Ray Wise is a wickedly entertaining Devil on “Reaper”. Dule Hilll works perfectly with James Roday on “Psych”. Rhys Darby is hilarious as band manager Murray on “Flight of the Conchords”. B.J. Novak did a 180-turn this season as the new Ryan on “The Office”, and it was great fun to watch.

The nominees:

Jeremy Piven is just as good, year after year, as ruthless agent Ari Gold on “Entourage”. John Krasinski and Rainn Wilson are laugh-out-loud funny as “Offce” workers Jim and Dwight, especially when they’re interacting with each other. Chi McBride is one hundred times better in comedy than he ever was in drama, as evidenced by “Pushing Daisies”. Michael Urie is appropriately over-the-top as devoted assistant Marc on “Ugly Betty”.

AFT Awards: Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

This is the sixth category of the 2nd Annual AFT Television Awards to be announced, my personal choices for the best in television this past season. Nominees are pictured in the order I’ve ranked them.

Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Runners-up: Michelle Forbes blew me away in mere minutes on “In Treatment”. Samaire Armstrong and Jill Clayburgh play the good kind of crazy on “Dirty Sexy Money”. Shannon Woodward is still terrific on “The Riches”, even with a diminished role. Rose Rollins is now the MVP as closeted soldier Tasha on “The L Word”.

The nominees:

Natalie Zea is incredible as the crazy, superficial heiress on “Dirty Sexy Money”. Tricia Helfer handles multiple personalities with remarkable skill on “Battlestar Galactica”. January Jones is a terrific unhappy 60s housewife on “Mad Men”. Kristen Bell is out of control but enticing on “Heroes”. Tatum O’Neal is an entertaining wreck on “Rescue Me”.

AFT Awards: Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

This is the fifth category of the 2nd Annual AFT Television Awards to be announced, my personal choices for the best in television this past season. Nominees are pictured in the order I’ve ranked them.

Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Honorable mention: Michael Paul Chan was fantastic on “The Closer” but he just isn’t prominent enough on the show for me to include him in the top ten.

Runners-up: Seth Gabel is mesmerizing in some of the “Dirty Sexy Money” episodes this season. Vincent Kartheiser is an excellent seedy underling on “Mad Men”. Glenn Fitzgerald is so amusing as an angry priest on “Dirty Sexy Money”. Naveen Andrews and Henry Ian Cusick are standouts among the large “Lost” ensemble.

The nominees:

G.W. Bailey is the most sarcastic, difficult lug but you can’t help but love him on “The Closer”. Michael Emerson plays Others leader Ben magnificently so that you have absolutely no idea whether he’s one of the good guys or one of the bad guys on “Lost”. Blair Underwood gives the performance of his career as a depressed pilot on “In Treatment”. Donald Sutherland commands the screen as one of the richest men in New York City on “Dirty Sexy Money”. John Slattery turns in a career-best performance as advertising firm partner Roger Sterling on “Mad Men”.

AFT Awards: Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

This is the fourth category of the 2nd Annual AFT Television Awards to be announced, my personal choices for the best in television this past season. Nominees are pictured in the order I’ve ranked them.

Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Runners-up: Yvonne Strahovski is charming as a secret agent assigned to work with the naïve Chuck on the show of the same name. America Ferrera is endearing as the loyal protagonist on “Ugly Betty”. Both Marcia Cross and Eva Longoria continue to turn in fine performances despite poor storylines for their characters. I’m not completely convinced I like Anna Friel on “Pushing Daisies”, but I’ll rank her tenth here.

The nominees:

Mary-Louise Parker is simply incredible as frantic mother slash pot dealer Nancy on “Weeds”. Tina Fey manages to out-act Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, and Jane Krakowski on “30 Rock” all at once – not an easy feat. Natasha McElhone had the perfect off-balance chemistry with David Duchovny on “Californication”. Dana Delany was the best thing to happen to “Desperate Housewives” in a long time. Christina Applegate was at the same time loveable and detestable as the old and the new “Samantha Who”.

AFT Awards: Best Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

This is the third category of the 2nd Annual AFT Television Awards to be announced, my personal choices for the best in television this past season. Nominees are pictured in the order I’ve ranked them.

Best Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Runners-up: James Roday keeps his goofiness just in check as fake psychic Shawn on “Psych”. Larry David continues to offend every person imaginable on “Curb Your Enthusiasm”. Bret McKenzie works seamlessly to create awkwardness on “Flight of the Conchords”. Lee Pace isn’t as enthusiastic as he was on “Wonderfalls”, but he’s still good as the resident piemaker on “Pushing Daisies”. Zachary Levi is likeable as the clueless accidental secret agent on “Chuck”.

The nominees:

David Duchovny turned on the charm as the despicable but immensely loveable Hank Moody on Showtime’s dramedy “Californication”. Steve Carrell makes awkward moments funnier than anyone else as the boss on “The Office”. Alec Baldwin is a great heartless executive whose fall from grace is hilarious to watch on “30 Rock”. Jemaine Clement is incredible as half of the folk parody duo on “Flight of the Conchords”. Tony Shalhoub is still just as great after six years of playing obsessive-compulsive on “Monk”.

AFT Awards: Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series

This is the second category of the 2nd Annual AFT Television Awards to be announced, my personal choices for the best in television this past season. Nominees are pictured in the order I’ve ranked them.

Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Runners-up: Evangeline Lilly turns in some of her best work yet as “Lost” castaway Kate. Angie Harmon is a good match for the surprisingly quality “Women’s Murder Club”. Though it’s not quite my cup of tea, I’ll admit that Holly Hunter is rather good as a tough cop on “Saving Grace”. And rounding out my top ten are two “The L Word” actresses who have been better on previous seasons but still did fine this year: Mia Kirshner and Jennifer Beals.

The nominees:

Kyra Sedgwick still stands out among an increasingly-showcased ensemble on “The Closer”. Minnie Driver keeps her character in check as her life got ever crazier on “The Riches”. As the lead female in a mostly male cast, Annabeth Gish continually impresses on “Brotherhood”. Laurel Holloman turns in her best work since season one of “The L Word”. Mary McDonnell imbues President Roslin with an even mix of determination and compassion.

AFT Awards: Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series

This is the first category of the 2nd Annual AFT Television Awards to be announced, my personal choices for the best in television this past season. Nominees are pictured in the order I’ve ranked them.

Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Runners-up: Gabriel Byrne works hard to deal with out-there patients on “In Treatment”, while Denis Leary persists despite a ludicrous plotline on “Rescue Me”. Bryan Cranston is subdued and impressive as a high school science teacher who cooks meth on “Breaking Bad”, and Edward James Olmos might have made the top five had he been in more of this season of “Battlestar Galactica”. And while Peter Krause could never get as good a role as Nate Fisher from “Six Feet Under”, but he tries his very best as the only sane person on “Dirty Sexy Money”.

The nominees:

Michael C. Hall turns in an amazing performance in the second season of “Dexter”. Jon Hamm creates a fascinating ad man in Don Draper on AMC’s freshmen drama “Mad Men”. Eddie Izzard keeps his character perfectly grounded in an even more frantic season of “The Riches”. Jason Isaacs and Jason Clarke are terrific as brothers on opposite sides of the law in “Brotherhood”.