Periodically this summer I'll be sharing my picks for the Emmy awards. Up this week, lead actress in a comedy series. With the number of "dramedies" on tv these days, it can be tough to determine exactly what is a comedy series. For my purposes, I will include performances in dramedies and any performance that has some sort of comedic element.
Click the links below each description for video clips of the actresses' performances
1. Alison Brie (Glow): Brie has been a supporting (although great) actress for years, with memorable turns on Community and Mad Men. On Glow, a Netflix series loosely based on a low-budget women's wrestling show from the 1980's, Brie finally has a showcase for her unique blend of weird but naïve humor. As Ruth, a struggling actress, she finds her voice and becomes the unofficial leader of a ragtag group of women. Brie gives 100% in every scene, both physically and emotionally.
Glow training scene
2. Rachel Bloom (Crazy Ex Girlfriend): You wouldn't think that a musical comedy about a crazy woman stalking her ex could work, but it does, and that's all thanks to Bloom, the creator and star of this wacky but amazing show. Bloom should win an award for her singing alone, in the show's hilarious and catchy musical numbers, but she's also funny and earnest, never making her character Rebecca seem evil or completely out of touch with reality. This season, when Rebecca attempted suicide, Bloom even flexed some of her dramatic muscles. The show is ending after its next season, but I can't wait to see what the actress does next.
Crazy Ex Girlfriend song
3. Nicole Byer (Loosely Exactly Nicole): This a little-known series that actually airs on Facebook after being canceled by MTV, but I promise you that it's worth it for Byer's performance alone. She stars as struggling actress Nicole, who does her best in the dating world and gets herself into crazy situations with best friend Devin. She truly doesn't care about looking or acting ridiculous onscreen, which is a benefit for this show. Byer also hosts cooking competition Nailed It on Netflix.
Loosely Exactly Nicole clip
4. Kristen Bell (The Good Place): It took me a while to get into this somewhat complicated sitcom about the afterlife, but a little investment in it pays off big time. As Eleanor, a bad girl who accidentally ends up in hell (aka the "good place"), Bell relishes being a bad girl. But when her character decides to change her ways and earn her spot in the good place, it's believable because Bell is such a grounded and relatable actress, even on such a fantastical show.
Eleanor The Good Place
5. Allison Janney (Mom): Janney can do no wrong in the eyes of Emmy voters, having earned multiple Emmy nominations and wins in the past. And for good reason. She thrived on political drama The West Wing for years, then she seamlessly slipped into comedy with her first sitcom role on Mom. As the brash but genuine recovering addict Bonnie, Janney steals every scene, never letting viewers forget that she's the star of the show.
Mom job interview
6. Anna Faris (Mom); Playing Bonnie's daughter Christy, Faris is the perfect foil to Janney. Also a recovering addict, Christy is much more earnest and naïve than Bonnie, but she also has a hint of sarcasm to ensure that she's a match for her quick-witted mom. Known for playing the dumb blonde in films like Scary Movie and The House Bunny, here Faris shows that she's more than just a pretty face.
Mom Christy at work
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