Emmy Chatter: Lead Actresses

...there's always a woman...so, we're on to the Lead Actress predictions. The field looks good, but it seems a bit simple predicting who Emmy is going to fall for. Ryan and I are back with more predictions....
             

Andrew: Lead actress is always interesting because, women on TV are usually given opportunity to do much.

Ryan: Except in comedy apparently. Because wow, was that submission list short.

Andrew: That's actually what I was coming to, because my shortlist for comedy (and my own personal ballot) is horrendously short.

Ryan: And that's even including those Showtime shows that aren't really comedies! I mean it was easy enough to narrow down my list, but wow, that's crazy.

Andrew: Even though there are rarely repeat winnners for lead actress in a comedy, the nominees are often fairly predictable.

Ryan: Which again makes it easy to predict, but not as much fun.

Andrew: It's really a case of five actors who're assured nods and one who's probably going to get in, I think.

Ryan: Yeah, I think it's all about who we think that last person will be. Looking forward to seeing your picks, but before we reveal so quickly... Showtime should make a big showing, no? Two of the most recent winners + newcomer and Emmy beloved Laura Linney. They're guaranteed 3 spots right there.

Andrew: Yeah, and I don't mind. For me, United States of Tara is the one that's least funny and it's still funny enough to not be a straight drama (even if I called it a drama in my own personal ballot). So, I'm fine with the showtime ladies getting love.

Ryan: For me, I would be happy nominating them in Drama, so it's not about me not wanting to nominate them. I just feel for non-Showtime ladies that aren't really asked or get the opportunity to do something such as the Bryce storyline in United States of Tara.

Andrew: The reason I'm essentially fine with it is because I see it as as best performance in a comedy, not funniest performance. Some comedies have actors who have the straight roles (people love Colfer, but his humour is not what they love) or some dramas have comic relief (Alan Cumming in The Good Wife). So, overall, I'm fine with it.

Ryan: I've started to come around to it, but it still bugs me. In any case, thoughts on the Showtime odd-woman out (possibly) Mary Louise Parker?

Andrew: I have not watched Weeds in years so I'm neither here nor there on that.

Ryan: Well after getting nominated 3x in a row, they skipped her last year. Death knell. And she didn't really offer up anything new last year, except for perhaps the finale.

Andrew: Shame that Courteney Cox might have zero chance of getting in.

Ryan: You read my mind. I was just going to ask you if there was somebody you wanted to make it in that won't. She's my pick, too.

Andrew: But, I'm really okay with who I THINK will make it. Care to go first with your predictions?

Ryan: Predictions:

Toni Collette United States of Tara

Edie Falco Nurse Jackie

Tina Fey 30 Rock

Laura Linney The Big C

Lea Michele Glee

Amy Poehler Parks and Recreation

Andrew: My predictions:

Toni Collette United States of Tara

Edie Falco Nurse Jackie

Tina Fey 30 Rock

Laura Linney The Big C

Lea Michele Glee

Amy Poehler Parks and Recreation

Yup, we've got the same bunch.

Ryan: I actually picked Martha Plimpton over Lea Michele, but I just changed my mind last minute. Predictable indeed.

Andrew: I actually don't mind Lea getting in...it's predictable, but I think the lineup is golden. I want Lea to be nominated not just because I like her but she manages to overcome some harrowing bits at time.

Ryan: It is, but other than Collette and Poehler, I'm OKAY with a few surprises in the mix.

Andrew: Who knows, maybe Plimpton could make it in - what with The Good Wife / Company goodwill.

Ryan: Though I feel that if she does, Poehler will be punished. Which is just all kinds of wrong.

Andrew: But, Andrew: Really, Poehler getting snubbed...that would be J$O%TJ$Y^O^#$J%OTJ%YOR!!!!!!!

Ryan: I'd throw something at the TV, because the whole medium would become literally useless at that point if that were to happen.

Andrew: That would be horrific. We'd get Robert, Jose, Luke, Nathaniel and a slew of others to protest. I'd fly out illegally if I must.

Ryan: That'd be beautiful. So since we're being all melodramatic now, let's jump to Drama!

Andrew: Do you watch The Closer?

Ryan: I do not.

Andrew: One of my favourite procedurals on air, Kyra's the defending winner so I warrant that she'll back for her seventh nomination...along with the love of your life...

Ryan: She's hardly the love of my life.

Andrew: Tut, tut, tut. Don't make me pound my gavel.

Ryan: I do enjoy Julianna Marguilies performance though so yeah she's in.

Though to be honest, I'm much more in love with one Elisabeth Moss who upgraded to Lead after submitting and getting nominated for Supporting last year.

Andrew: Well, she's been nominated in lead before so she's more than just a contender. I've never watched a season of Sons of Anarchy but Katey Segal is flirting with chances of a first time Emmy nomination after her Golden Globe win.

Ryan: It all depends on what they think about the show I think. It'd be a great story if she and Ed O'Neill were to both be nominated this year.

Andrew: Umm why (he asks embarrassedly.)

Ryan: Both starred in Married with Children back in the 80s? 90s? The decades are starting to blur. I'm old.

Andrew: (PS. Was Married with Children the one with Christina Applegate?)

Ryan: Yup. Back to Mad Men for a second, it's so weird January Jones didn't category hop like Moss. She belongs in Best Supporting.

Andrew: I know. It sort of sucks for January because the writers don't know what to do with her, and she's done fine good work this past season but then, supporting actress is even more packed and she’s sort of half-and-half. If they go batshit for Mad Men...you never know.

Ryan: It definitely is, but I think she'd have a good showing there too. Oh well. Speaking of lead-supporting roles, I know you don't watch it but it's also weird for Lena Headey to submit herself here rather than supporting for Game of Thrones.

Andrew: Whereas I'm more willing to bet on Chandler being nominated, I'm not as certain that Connie Britton is in.

Ryan: Well when you're saddled with a non-starter storyline like Epyck or however you spell her name, yeah Britton didn't have much to do.

Andrew: Hahahaha. (*Applause*)

Ryan: (I'm here all night!) Any thoughts on Sally Field and Jeanne Tripplehorn for their last seasons? Field is a former winner while they don't know Tripplehorn exists.

Andrew: Field. Brothers and Sisters was so weak and Big Love was so strong. Even though Sevigny will always be MVP in the latter Barb had a powerful year, but you're right. They don't know she exists...and they hardly care for the show.

Ryan: And speaking of non-existent show and performance, I'm clinically depressed knowing that Anna Torv's exception work on Fringe will 100% be ignored.

Andrew: I'm actually sad that Anna Paquin will be ignored, Globe win in 2010 and all.

Ryan: Yeah, but at least she has been recognized somewhere. Torv is getting much love from critics, but that's not the same.

Andrew: I'm praying that Mariska Harigaty doesn't make it back. It's so weird how they'll keep nominating her, but after her win Patricia Arquette was virtually ignored for Medium.

Ryan: Hargitay is such a perennial favourite though and it helps that her show will give her a gut wrenching episode here and there for her to submit.

Andrew: But the nominees are based on overall seasons, they don't submit episodes until they're actually nominated (or shortlisted). Still. aaargh.

Ryan: Well that's even more confusing then. WHY DO THEY KEEP nominating her then?

Andrew: I DON'T KNOW...but, let's ignore her. And finally, 3 lawmakers in series premieres: Dana Delaney Body of Proof, Kathy Bates Harry's Law and Mireille Enos The Killing.

Ryan: Enos if they appreciate that kind of quiet performance. Bates if they go for name recognition.

Andrew: Having seen only three episodes, what did you think of Enos?

Ryan: I think I need to see more. She didn't get to do much, at least relatively. Plus I'm still trying to get used to her as someone who isn't a

polygamist's wife.

Andrew: Episode 11 (Missing) takes a break from the case and she's brilliant in it.

Ryan: And if being a movie star helps in the Comedy section (see above for Linney), thoughts on Oscar winner Melissa Leo's chances? Don't watch her show though.

Andrew: She didn't get love last year, but I'm wondering if The Fighter love AND Mildred Pierce love could help her.

             

Ryan: Well she wasn't an Oscar winner last year, was she?

Andrew: True. So, ready for me to p-p-predictions (pretending I'm wrapping, don't ask). RAPPING. Good lord, Andrew.

Ryan: Nice. I'll wait to see your picks.

Andrew: Random order:

Julianna Margulies The Good Wife

Kyra Sedgwick The Closer

Elizabeth Moss Mad Men

Mireille Enos The Killing

Mariska Hargitay Law and Order SVU

January Jones Mad Men as a surprise inclusion

Ryan: VERY interesting. My predictions:

Connie Britton Friday Night Lights

Mariska Hargitay Law and Order: SVU

Julianna Margulies The Good Wife

Elisabeth Moss Mad Men

Emmy Rossum Shamless

Kyra Sedgwick The Closer

Ryan: And I just realize we didn't talk about young Emmy Rossum.

Andrew: That's what happen you don't watch quality shows Andrew (head to table).

Ryan: I think she has a good chance, if they watch the show.

Andrew: Is Shameless really that much of a threat?

Ryan: Only if they watch the show.

Andrew: What's it about?

Ryan: A group of kids with a drunk dad and an absentee mom, trying to raise themselves as lower middle class family in... Chicago? Detroit? Whatever. Rossum plays the oldest child and acts as the mom to the rest. It's a remake of a British show.

Andrew: I guess I should give that a watch sometime. Added to Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead.

Ryan: She gets to be fun, fierce, sad, angry, sexy, everything.

Andrew: oooooh, oooooh before I go or forget...did you watch the preview for Smash?

Ryan: If by preview, you mean that long-ish trailer that NBC showed the TV crix a few weeks back... then yeah. If it's something new they released recently... no?

Andrew: I don't know. Saw it on you-tube (it's like 5 minutes long). Did you like it? I have a feeling it could seriously bomb, but I watched it like ten times.
                
Ryan: LOVED IT. Glee for adults... with brains.
           
Andrew: and by ten times, I mean 50.
            
Ryan: It's one of my favorite new fall show preview. Probably second to Awake. You should see that.

Andrew: I'll get on that. Are there any shows premiering this summer that I should keep an eye on?
Ryan: I honestly don't know. Only thing I can think of is Torchwood: Miracle Day.

Andrew: Cool.

Ryan: Oh and there's this new show, Wilfred, starring Elijah Wood. Heard it was supposed to be good.

Andrew: Ah, yeah - that I've got to check up on. (A/N: Reviews coming tonight.)

Ryan: I didn't mean to make that rhyme.

Andrew: Ha. Now I'm thinking of Pushing Daisies, I was watching "Girth" earlier, the Halloween episode where the narrator was rhyming.

Ryan: Aw. Miss that show. My DVDs are circulating around my friends so I can't immediately re-watch.

Andrew: Did you see the preview of KC in Good Christian Belles?

Ryan: Yeah. I don't know. I mean it could be okay, but doesn't feel like the type of show I'd be into.

Andrew: It seems a bit drab, but I shall watch for Kristin. So weird seeing her being mean.

Ryan: BTW I'm pretty sure I saw most of the new fall shows previews. I made that a priority a few weeks back. Yeah, I'd totally check it out for KC. Hope it surprises.
           
Who are you hoping is going to get a Best Actress nomination?                   

Feeling Like...

Pilot Me: Pushing Daisies

I’ve often noticed that when the Emmy’s come around and the crew of TV shows are asked to make their submissions for their “best” work, they almost always decide on the pilot episodes. Is it because the pilots are the beginning, and beginnings are always the best places to start? The whole point behind “Pilot Me” isn’t about that, I always wonder why shows end up going awry after their pilots – even if it’s an unfair question. Television shows are fluid, and they’re constantly open to change. It’s interesting to see where the changes take the show, and how they hold up when viewed against their pilots; hence, this feature.

I’m probably showing my ace too early by starting off with what I believe to be one of the greatest pilots from one of the greatest television shows, but I have to admit that when The Mad Hatter named this as one of his favourite pilots I just had to start off with it. I don’t know, with the amount of people that love this show I always wonder why it got cancelled in the first place, but I’m digressing. 

              

I have to admit, with just five seconds of screen-time Pushing Daisies sets up that age old dichotomy that represents its entire show, but in such an innovative way – life and death. 

 

 

 

 I just love watching the camera move up from gritty brownness to the picturesque fields of Couer d’Couers, as if the producers are thinking – this is what death is like, but our perspective is so much brighter.

Structure is an essential part of Pushing Daisies, it opens with a childhood Ned wherein we learn a significant lesson via our austere British narrator (voiced by Jim Dale). It’s the longest opening sequence of the series tenure because there’s so much information to give the audience before it becomes so confusing. Fuller’s way of introducing us to this magical world of Couer d’Couers (I love saying writing that) – forget the unnaturally peppy art direction, which is one of the dozens of great technical marvels about this show – dialogue-wise Pushing Daisies is marked by its quickness. That entire sequence lasts for all of five minute as we move from Digby’s death and subsequent resurrection, childhood Chuck, Ned’s mother’s death and resurrection, Chuck’s father’s death, Ned’s mother’s death and that fateful first kiss. Sounds like a plethora of information? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is – and yet, Pushing Daisies never feels like overwrought with it. We’ve already met two – permanent – deaths and we manage to feel their gravity even as the pilot retains its buoyancy. It’s easy to see why this took home the Emmy for Best Director.

I love that first shot of Ned, there. Lee Pace is so perfect here because he’s so understated – as a comedian and an actor. He has that constant air of befuddlement where things seem to happen to him, and not because of him which makes him such a perfect protagonist for a show where he has the power to raise people from the dead.  And my beloved Chenoweth – I hate to get all fanboyish at the beginning of the feature, so I’ll curtail any garrulous discussion of Olive Snook’s brilliance, although – as an aside – I always wonder why her hair went from long in the pilot to short in subsequent episodes. 

 

 

 

 

 

In terms of development, though, Olive is set up as an ideal character for comedic relief in the pilot, and as the series develops she to have those consistent comedic beats while having her past explored to fine results (like the brilliant episode “Girth”).

   

This sets Olive up, in the pilot especially, as a great opposite for Chuck. I love this random sequence between the two with Olive’s unknowingly sentient question.

 

“Does he touch you?”

Chuck is probably the show’s most perplexing character, which is no judgement on Anna Friel who is such a welcome departure from the basest of comedic heroines without being the stereotypical quirky that we’ve come to identify with either Zoey Deschanel or on the other side of the spectrum Rachel McAdams. Of course, Anna’s on television here – but regardless. 

Still, I’m digressing. I often wonder about Chuck’s response to Ned’s oddity. Is it a character trait of a similarly odd girl growing up with similarly odd aunts (Swoosie Kurtz and Ellen Green so hilarious for the duration of the shows’ tenure on ABC), or is it that being “dead” make us more accepting of these “oddities” in life. It’s perplexing either way – but, it’s hardly a deal breaker. 

 The concept of romantic love is such an important part of Pushing Daisies, and it always manages to take on that fantastical nature without becoming mawkish, even though it’s propelled by silly stuff like him opening her coffin – twice. 

It’s interesting to watch how Fuller and Company kept trying to weave the Aunts into the earlier episodes. 

 

 

 Before Olive’s happenstance meeting with them, it was always a question of how you’d get them working in context of the show. I’ll always maintain that the strength of any show depends on a fine array of supporting players, and Pushing Daisies had that in spades and the pilot does a great job of introducing us without overwhelming. Easily one of the best pilots I’ve seen.

             

(I had to point out how the title card for the show - see above - is shaped in the form of a pie-slice. Little things like that contribute to my love for this show.) 

Did you ever take a gander at Pushing Daisies Pilot - "Pielette"?

From the Stage to the (Small) Screen

Regardless of if my appreciation for Glee ever peters out (which at this point seems unlikely) I’ll always be especially grateful to them for two things. One, was ensuring that after the untimely cancellation of Pushing Daisies allowing Kristin Chenoweth to return to the tube to show us just why she’s so brilliant – and the second is bringing Idina Menzel to the small screen in a role which managed to show that she was as good an actor as a singer. In its ideal form Glee is the sort of veritable playground for any Broadway actor and although guest stars don’t definitively improve the quality of the episodes – I’d love if this quintet of ladies from the Great White Way would get featured on Glee (I’ve featured some of them before in my original From Stage to Screen Post).

Jane Krakowski

 I suppose, in reality, there’s little chance of this coming to fruition since Krakowski is continuing her hilarious stint on 30 Rock where she continues to be the best-in-show. Still, the very basics of Glee seem perfect for Krakowski’s own brand of strange and sultry humour. With her very blonde hair she seems like a perfect candidate for some subplot involving Sam or Quinn, but she’s probably too old to be Quinn’s sister and unless Sam was a teenage birth she’s probably too young for that – although, who knows what they’d decide to do. I’ll always be grateful to Tina Fey and company for allowing Jane to actually perform somewhat regularly on the show, so it’s not like she’s being robbed of the chance to showcase her talent – but you can’t deny that her brand of crazy would work perfectly at McKinley High.

                               

Audra McDonald

As good an actor as Audra McDonald is, her voice is just sublime. It’s almost offensive that she’s never done any singing on any television show – Private Practice doesn’t deserve her most of the times (not that they deserve Kate Walsh, either – but I digress). I’m sort of stumped as to how Audra could fit into the fabric of Glee. If it weren’t for Cheyenne Jackson (who hasn’t even had a significant plot-point thus far) I’d think she’d be a great successor to Idina’s Shelby – original director of Vocal Adrenaline. What’s so weird about her is that you don’t think she’s a natural comedienne (she’s probably not) – but she’ll always surprise you in dramatic moments with some weird choices that always end up being humorous. I don’t know how, but I want her on Glee.

Donna Murphy

If Tangled was good for anything, other than the occasional vaguely entertaining tune from Alan Menken, it was reminding me how great Donna Murphy is. It’s probably because I associate her most with the very dour Passion that I forget that she’s a great comedienne (which manages to emerge even on an album recording of Wonderful Town). It’s that broad comedic talent of hers that would make her a perfect choice for a nemesis to Sue. Really, there’s no telling how they’d get her to sing but if there’s anyone that can take down Jane Lynch it’d be Murphy.

Bernadette Peters

Honestly, I’m sort of surprised she hasn’t turned up on Glee as yet. Before the idea of Carol Burnett (which turned into perfection) was pitched I’d contemplated the idea of Peters being Sue’s mother. Now, I’m sort of stumped but whatever role they do give her she’d be remarkable. With all these children in the club, at least one of them has to have a crazy – potentially boozy – grandmother. It’d be a stroke of genius if they get Peters to tag along on an episode with Chenoweth (I still think the two are reincarnations of the other). Perhaps the idea of Peters as April’s own boozy mother would be a sort of perfect idea. That I’d love to see.

Sara Ramirez

Two words: Santana’s sister. Sara Ramirez is brilliant, and she’s constantly doing good things with occasionally middling writing on Grey’s Anatomy (I’m still a vague fan of the show, truth be told). It’s watching the clips of her in Spamalot that make me realise just how vociferous and passionate she can be – they always make Callie a beat too sedate. Wouldn’t it be great seeing her play opposite Glee’s own resident crazy Latina? I can already imagine her – in typical Santana fashion – trying to seduce Will Schuster.

                              

Which of these ladies would you love most to appear for a guest stint on Glee?

Glee Meme, Day 21: Favourite Guest Star

If you don’t know that I worship at the feet of that 4”11 ray of sunshine otherwise known as Kristin Chenoweth, I do. I’m still waiting for someone to make good and cast her in a show now that it’s been two years since the egregious cancellation of Pushing Daisies. But it was lovely seeing her steamroll the already talented cast of Glee both times she showed up to guest star on the show. Kristin is a tour-de-force and as good as she can get with the dramatics she’s always going to be one of the most brilliant comediennes at the moment. She’s even more important because she brings out the very best in Matthew Morrison, perhaps it’s his chance to go toe-to-toe with another Broadway star, but their scenes are some his strongest.

Put that in your pipe and smoke it...(More on the MEME)

Glee Meme, Day 5: Favourite Duet

The Glee MEME continues…I’m choosing more than one. I can’t commit.

              

I like Idina from listening to her on “Rent”, “The Wild Party” and “Wicked” soundtracks – but she has a penchant for vocal overexertion – an apparent inability to tone down. I don’t know if it’s her age, or the character but she’s flawless on Glee (rewatching the back 9 last week I feel like a fool for leaving her off my guest list. She’d easily make the top 5. Ugh.) I’m still mostly apathetic to Lady Gaga but the rendition of “Poker Face” between Idina and Lea is all sorts of brilliant. In some ways it’s a master class in singing. And the moment is just bloody brilliant. Ironically, perhaps, another duet that always gets me smiling is Lea’s pairing with the other “Wicked” cast member – Kristin Chenoweth. “Maybe This Time” works surprisingly well as a duet and though my allegiance is with Kristin (naturally) it’s never one-sided. April is so much of a cautionary tale for Lea and having them pair up for that number is not incidental. They don’t get to sing to each other like her and Idina, but it’s still lovely.

             

Matthew Morisson continues to be woefully underrated, he’s good…but he’s even better when he gets a talented performer to duet with. “Dream On” and “Fire” could go down in history. On the former the pairing with NPH is brilliant to watch (even if I wish they’d song “The Confrontation” from Les Miserables. And talking about “Fire” Kristin Chenoweth brings out the best in Morrison on the whole (those two have wicked chemistry) – even in the non-singing parts. They work great together.

I’d like to make mention of Morrison’s final song of the season – “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” with Puck is great. I’ll always have allegiance to the original arrangement, but this one works just as well.

Glee Meme, Day 4: Favourite Solo

I probably love Glee so much because I’m a major music buff (inherited from my father who’s an actual musician). The MEME continues.

I don’t like Neil Diamond, I appreciate his music but he tends to annoy me – it’s probably years of seeing his Christmas Special more than thrice a year every year for most of my life. Still, Noah Salling singing “Sweet Caroline” was a nice surprise. I don’t even have any significant affection for the song, but it worked in more ways than one – and it’s nice to hear him sing alone, that’s rare. It’s never happened since (go figure). 

Speaking of Jewish greatness, Lea Michele’s “Don’t Rain On My Parade” is pure brilliance. She’s not Barbra, but she’s not supposed to be. The reason the covers on Glee manage to work is because they’re never attempting to copy the original. It’s her “moment” and it works because Lea completely delivers. She sings and she acts at the same time…that’s rare with young performers

[On a side note on the topic of Barbra and Funny Girl though, I’d call Idina’s rendition of Funny Girl better than Barbra (insert offended gasp). I’ve never really felt the song fit the musical – it was written specifically for the film. But Idina sort of rocked it with her “Theatricality” even if it doesn’t make my top 3.]

In the end I turn to another guest for my favourite solo though. There’s something moving about the lyrics for “Home” from The Wiz and though the choir provides back up – it’s a solo and one that impresses on all counts. It’s a moving moment, for April and because Glee loves to get moralistic on us it’s a given that they’re sending us a message. But I really don’t care Living here in this brand new world might be a fantasy….but it’s taught me too love, so it’s real to me.” Damn, those lyrics are incredibly saccharine and NOT badass, but damn if they aren’t still awesome. It works…it really really does.

Happy Birthday to a Little Diva

Today the lovely Kristin Chenoweth turns 42.

Damn You EMMY!!!

Despite the title, I'm actually quite content with the nominees for the most part, I'm busy at the moment so I can't analyse the nominees as I wish so I'll just break it down quickly, and be back LATER with an in-depth look. Maybe.
      
THE GOOD
*Amy Poehler has her Emmy nomination. I cannot explain to you how happy this made me. It is easily my favourite nomination in a year of mixed stuff.

*Lea Michele, Kristin Chenoweth and the cast of Glee have been successful. It's a good life, and I'm glad for them all.

*Sharon Gless has an Emmy NOD!!! Burn Notice only gets one nod, but this nod makes me happy (even though I wish it had gotten more).
    
*My usual favourites are back again - Dexter, Damages, Tony Shalhoub, JANE KRAKOWSKI!!!!

THE BAD
*One nomination for Entourage, two nominations for Grey's Anatomy, one nomination for Desperate Housewives? Piven? Wilson? Oh? Cross? My heart bleeds, not really but you get the point. Those snubs hurt me.
   
*Two and a Half Men is still getting love, and I don't know WHY!

*Mariska Hargitay. I hate you.
    
* No love for supporting players in The Office and Parks & Recreation? Really?
     
THE BLAH
* The Big Bang Theory. I just don't get it.
    
*Mad Men. Other than Slattery I'm really not interested any more...I can't say why?
   
*Lost...ummm, I don't know. I don't get this one either, and no Naveen Andrews? Le sigh.
     
Okay. You go? Good? Bad? Blah? Shout it out below.
FULL LIST HERE
   

TV Meme, Day 15: Favourite Female Characters

Choosing my favourite female characters was so much more difficult than choosing the males. I tried to be diverse I tried to be fair and I had to put 6...and here they are...but let me list some runners up first...

               

Here they are: for constantly being excellent even when their cast does not back them up I submit a quintet of excellent ladies from Grey's Anatomy in preferential order - Chandra Wilson as Dr. Bailey, Katherine Heigl as Izzie Stevens, Sara Ramirez as Callie Torres, Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang and of course Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey; for managing to cross over to another show and become an even greater character Kate Walsh in Private Practice, for bringing the funny and being real Isobel Sanders on The Jeffersons, for saving the world again and again Sarah Michelle Gellar in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and the combined female casts of Sex & the City, Desperate Housewives, Glee and Brothers & Sisters

                  

#6: Lorelai Gilmore

 Show: Gilmore Girls

Actor: Lauren Graham

Trade Marks: Devotion to Rory - her daughter, crazy banter with everyone around especially her mother (played excellently by Kelly Bishop), a predilection for Luke's coffee and Luke, bad decisions,

Turn Offs: her parents - especially when they want to control Rory's life, boys who get in the way of her daughter's education (I'm sensing a trend here), boring people

Why I Love Her: Because Lauren Graham plays this role so beautifully it makes me sad when people forget that she so talented. The part of the kooky mother may be a stereotype, but don't tell her that because Lorelai is a creation all her own. It doesn't matter what she is doing, you cannot take your eyes off her performance. That is called good acting.
              

  #5: Sharona Flemying                               

 Show: Monk

Actor: Bitty Schram

Trade Marks: devotion to her son and her boss – Adrian, wisecracks, gumption and dedication worthy causes, being a hot mom. 

Turn Offs: her boss – Adrian when he's out of control, Randy, Natalie (at first), her deadbeat ex-husband (until he cleaned up his act)

Why I Love Her: Because Sharona was my favourite character on Monk more than Monk himself somtimes. So wise, so streetsmart, good looking, and dedicated to her son. When she left the show I stopped watching for months only coming back in bits. Traylor Hackford (what kind of a name IS THAT?) could never replace her. Sigh.

               

#4: Miranda Hobbes

Show: Sex & the City
Actor: Cynthia Nixon
Trade Marks: Pragmatism and sensibleness, her red hair,
Turn Offs: Wishy-washy men, not getting promoted, models and modelizers (love that episode)
Why I Love Her: Because the fact that she has two Emmy's is no fluke. Every episode I wait for Miranda to come, and when she turns up with her red hair and intelligence and delivers smart cutdowns that are still hilariously, I ask myself - why the hell does she not have a proper film role?
             
#3: Phoebe Buffay

Show: Friends
Actor: Lisa Kudrow
Trademarks: Kookiness, vegetarian ways, guitar and song, random humour, her pornstar twin sister, her massages

Turn Offs: Evolutionist theory, her twin sister, sad endings, mean people
Why I Love Her: Because Lisa Kudrow is just amazing and Phoebe's random humour is essential to the show. From watching Phoebe run in the park, to watching her banter with Joey and Mike and everything that comes in between there's no doubt that she is one brilliant character.

        
#2: Olive Snook

Show: Pushing Daisies

Actor: Kristin Chenoweth

Trademarks: Breaking into song, rash behaviour, devotion to Ned regardless of obstacles, perkiness, sweetness, all around awesomeness

Turn Offs: Anything between her and Ned - aything, quietness

Why I Love Her: Because she is played by Chenoweth (just kidding, sort of). Olive is so lovely and Chenoweth makes her so loveable even when we should not be rooting for her, and she sings (what more can we ask more) and maintains this all while still defending our hero.

                      

#1: Karen Walker

Show: Will & Grace
Actor: Megan Mullally
Trademarks: Accompanying drink in hand, devilish cackle, arguments with her maid – Rosario, spending her husband’s money, inability to use public amenitie, extensive use of the word "honey".
Turn Offs: Poorness, work, Minnie Driver and the character she plays - Lorraine Finster, Candice Bergen
Why I LOVE Her: Megan's comedy genius cannot be touched by ANY ACTOR on TV. It's the sort of genius that leaves me gasping for air, not only from the writing but from her ability to make even the most tired jokes something tired.
                

The ongoing TV MEME goes on, for it must.


Which of these women remind you of the wonders of TV? Whom have I missed?