Top 10 Returning TV Series
Archer
Community
Happy Endings
How to Make It in America
Modern Family
Pretty Little Liars
The Good Wife
The Vampire Diaries
True Blood
White Collar
Top 10 New Series
American Horror Story
Awkward
Game of Thrones
Hart of Dixie
New Girl
Once Upon a Time
Revenge
Suburgatory
Teen Wolf
The Secret Circle
Zoe Deschanel, New Girl
Synopsis: Kyra and Marcia will always have a special place in my heart for creating two incredible characters and will be missed as their shows go on into TV heaven. Jane Levy and Zooey Deschanel have created indelible characters on very funny shows and never let go of the spotlight. But the winner hands down is Julianna, whose continued plumbing of Alicia’s depths brings The Good Wife to life.
Synopsis: Only two of these are traditional leading performances (Olyphant and Wesley) but with the amount of screen time the others got, they were worth mentioning in this category. I’m continually amazed at just how well Paul and Joseph played off of each other on Vampire Diaries; their chemistry especially in the mid season finale was phenomenal. Ty Burrell is a comic genius and never ceases to make me laugh. Runner up is Olyphant who can make even the most grand gesture seem nuanced. But Ryan Kwanten outshone them all by elevating crazy story lines (being raped to create werepanthers! falling in love with Hoyt’s girl!) and being the human heart of a supernatural show.
Naya Rivera, Glee
Synopsis: Probably the most difficult category to find nominees for, I settled on actress who can do a lot with a little and can read lines like nobody’s business. Cheryl and Naya are HI-larious on their shows, but imbue their characters with such heart. I love Archie and her continued stoicism as Kalinda really helps ground her show. Runner up would be Jessica Lange, whose American Horror Story character shines even through the blood. But Kristen takes the cake for her delicious line readings and continued emergence as one of True Blood’s stars.
Synopsis: A mix of veteran and up and coming actors which bring their A game every week. Alan and Dylan managed to bring the funny to their more dramatic shows and counterparts, and Max is pure glee on the New Girl as the douchebag with a heart. Runner up in this category is Peter Dinklage whose small stature does not diminish his towering performance as Tyrion Lannister, marvelous he is. The gold medal would have to go to Evan Peters who was a revelation on American Horror Story, plumbing the depths of undying love and our psychotic nature, while never once making us dislike him.