The stupidest and most tired stereotype in comedy is that women aren't funny. Try telling that to the five ladies we think should be nominated for an Emmy--they keep us laughing in a world that is supposedly dominated by the boys.
As the Emmy winner for the past two years, Tina Fey is an obvious choice to make the top five, but we've added a few that may just be able to pull off the big upset.
Toni Collette, United States of Tara
Role: Tara, Buck, Alice, TCollette's complicated role could allow her to be nominated four times, but the sticklers at the Emmys will only give her one spot. Tara's protagonist was handmade for an actress to showcase her talents, and Collette delivers. Our favorite? That little scamp T.
Kaitlin Olson, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Role: Deandra "Dee" ReynoldsWe'll admit that this season of It's Always Sunny wasn't its best, but one part that was just as funny as always was Kaitlin. She more than holds her own among three of the funniest bros on television, and no joke is too crass for her. Have you ever seen her do drunk? She should win just for that.
Portia de Rossi, Better Off Ted
Role: Veronica PalmerPlaying the ice queen executive of Veridian Dynamics is more than just being a b**ch. Veronica puts up the veneer of being unconcerned with the opinion of her employees, but with a flip of her head or a well-timed squint, de Rossi adds a layer of insecurity to her character--making audiences relate to her ever-so-slightly. Well, as much as one can relate to a woman who is in charge of turning pumpkins into weapons of mass destruction.
Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds
Role: Nancy BotwinFey's biggest competition probably comes from Parker, nominated the last two years for Weeds. Her take on a single-mom-turned-drug-kingpin is multi-faceted--she's got her business to take care of as well as her family, and she combines strength and vulnerability in a way that is both funny and touching. Plus, she always looks super nervous during award ceremonies, and that's always entertaining.
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Role: Liz LemonAhhhh... Tina Fey. What more is there to say about her? She's head and shoulders above the rest of the field AND she writes the whole show. But let's at least pretend this competition is close.
Honorable Mention: Amy Poehler--Parks and Recreation, Yvonne Strahovski--Chuck, Julia Louis-Dreyfus--The New Adventures of Old Christine, Anna Friel--Pushing Daisies, Cobie Smulders--How I Met Your Mother
And our winner is: Tina Fey. Yeah, yeah, call us unoriginal, but she's the hands-down queen of comedy at the moment and 30 Rock wouldn't exist without her.
Our picks for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy
Our picks for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy








Comments (50)
This year? I'll totally for Yvonne Strashovski. C'mon, Tina Fey again?
Nancy was excellent last season.Mary-Louise Parker from Weeds.
It's gonna win Toni Collette.
Oh, pahhhhleeeeeeeeeeze! Tina Fey on 30 Rock is the most overrated comic actress since, well Tina Fey on SNL! I never watch Weeds, but Im sure Mary Louise Parker is much more deserving than Fey. And why would Amy Poehler or Julia Louis Dreyfus be any more deserving. I used to respect Lorne Michaels when SNL used to be hip, but now hes turned it into an assembly line for overrated sitcom actresses. How long before he tries to shove Molly Shannon down our throats in another lame Thursday night comedy?
Portia de Rossi - Better Off Ted. Hands down the totally f@#$ing consistently funniest performance all damn year. (Though I believe too she's actually going up as a supporting actress in a comedy)
No one,to me is Christina Applegate.
I would have put Allyson Hannigan also. She is great on How I Met Your Mother. Toni Collette is a good choice though. So is Portia De Rossi.
Yvonne Strahovski made the honorable mention list? Oh man, she's my least favorite actress on Chuck!
Tina fey? you lot are so greedy, she already won! I think America deserves to be nominated for Ugly Betty and Eva Longoria should win. Why the hell arent Desperate Housewives women not on this list???
As much as I love Tina Fey, which is A LOT, I honestly think Toni Collette was stronger in United States of Tara. I think it'll come down to the two of them. But, who am I giving the edge to? I'd be stupid (and naïve) to give it to anyone but Tina.
de rossi and olson have both submitted themselves for supporting actress, so they won't pull an upset in THIS category.
Paula Marshall on Gary Unmarried deserves a nomination. She is hilarious!
Tina Fey will win
At least you mention Yvonne Strahovski, but I think she totally rock her Sarah Walker on Chuck. She can be quite captivating in the emotional scenes.
Tina Fey will win. But what about Christina Applegate? ABC canceled "Samantha Who?" because the highly paid execs thought it was too expensive to produce, but Christina did a great job, and didn't deserve the way her show was handled. And Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who is always top-notch, even when her show, "The New Adventures of Old Christine," is average at best.
I'm an Yvonne Strahovsky fan myself. She deserves more recognition.
Tina Fey's going to win, of course.
I'm just happy to see Kaitlin Olson get some recognition; She is unbelievable. The pick of Tina Fey and 30 Rock as your Best Comedy is disgraceful.
Wonderful actresses, specially MAry-Louise, Tina and Toni, but I think Tina Fey will win again.
No love for Jenna Fischer or any of the Desperate Housewives senoritas?
Oh well, go Tina Fey!
Where America Ferrara for Ugly Betty?
Julia Louis Dreyfus deserves to be nominated and to win. Old Christine is the most underrated comedy on TV today and Julia is brilliant in that role!
Still don't get the Tina Fey obsession these days, but whatever. I'd love to see Yvonne Strahovski get some love, but it probably won't happen.
How can one say The Office, Weeds and Scrubs are bad? I think you don't get irony nor sarcasm. Go watch reality shows.
Whoever said Scrubs, The Office, 30 Rock, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia are all bad comedies is straight up stupid. Have you ever even seen any of them? And then you say Two and a Half Men is a good show! Yeah Right!
I am obsessed with Tina Fey and would love to see her win another Emmy. However, I also love Kaitlin Olsen and she definitely deserves some kind of acknowledgment for her work as Sweet Dee... It's a tough call, but I'd be happy seeing either one win.
Kaitlin and Toni. They're both great.
How doe Yvonne Strahovski only rate an HONORABLE MENTION? I've never seen an actress that can portray such a broad range of emotions with just one look.
I think we found someone that works for CBS!! But that is funny, because all the shows the person below hates, I love, and vice versa!
Oh i forget and Weeds;i don´t understand how someone put this show i the category of comedy.To me people selling drugs is not a joke.It´s a drama and very bad one.
In my opinion 30 rock,it´s always sunny in philadelphia,Better of Ted,The Office and scrubs are the worst comedys in America right now.i cannot understand how such a stupid comedy win all the time all the awards.Another is Entourage and Curb your Entusiasm are so boring;that i cannot imagine how are still on in television.Are the fan of these shows stupid;or what? And the people who gives all the awards,i think they such a bad taste in shows that i cannot really understand.The only great comedy are How i met your mother,Two and a half men,Rules of engagement and The big bang theory...the rest are between so,so and very stupid and bad like all the comedys from Abc and specially Nbc.I hope the comedy for the next fall are getting better because how i say before the rest are very poor.moreless
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How about Lena Heady from Terminator: Sarah Conner Chronicles?
tina fey should win 30 rock is the greatest comdey show to come out of american for a long time
portia de rossi? are you kidding me? the female doesn't know to act... my bet is on Fey, though 30 Rock has had a lackluster season...
Sorry I've just realised this list is for lead actress only so Kristin wouldn't be on it, still these are really bad choices.
Tina Fey is so overrated I'm sorry, her film "Mean Girls" was such a waste of time. How Kristin Chenoweth is missing from this list it beyond me.
yeah, I have only seen 30 Rock of those four too. But Tina Fey is good choice - its true that 30 rock wouldnt exist without her.
I've only seen 30 rock out of all of them. I think Tina Fey is outstandingly funny and I'd like to see her win a 3rd time.Being an Aussie though, I'd love Toni or Portia to win it, but, that's from Aussie loyalty more than seeing their shows. :-)
It'd be nice if Parker got it.
I'm with Portia !
Of course Tina Fey will win!
They are all so good! Tina Fey, Toni Collette and Mary-Louise Parker...all amazing.
Kaitlin Olson or Mary-Louise Parker.