In the eternal battle over whether or not women can be funny, I think any naysayers should be silenced after today’s Emmy nominations. Yes, women sure can be hi-freakin’-larious. With all the outstanding comediennes filling out the lead actress in a comedy series category, how can that even be a question anymore?
Veterans like Tina Fey (30 Rock), Amy Poehler (Park and Recreation), Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie) and Melissa McCarthy (Mike and Molly) were all nominated last year and deserved their re-nominations this time around. Those seasoned vets are joined by newbies like Zooey Deschanel (New Girl), Lena Dunham (Girls) and Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep). Each woman is fabulous and hysterical in her own way, with a whip-smart sense of comedic timing.
Deschanel’s lovable character Jess shows that women who love baking and being ultra feminine can be strong and independent as well as funny. Although Dunham’s Hannah can’t figure out whether she’s the voice of a generation or just a voice of a generation, she’s still making America laugh (and cringe) with her hyper-realistic comedy. And man, am I just happy to se Louis-Dreyfus back on TV. I absolutely love her portrayal of Vice President Selina Meyer on HBO.
Four of the six best comedy options are fantastic because of the women that run them. Girls and 30 Rock are the brainchildren of Dunham and Fey respectively. Veep would be nothing with Louis-Dreyfus and the VP’s right-hand woman Amy, played by Anna Chlumsky. Modern Family needs Gloria (Sofia Vergara) and Claire (Julie Bowen) to have the same heart. Both actresses were nominated for supporting roles.
Kristen Wiig (SNL) and the late Kathryn Joosten (Desperate Housewives) were also nominated as supporting actresses. In drama land, Mad Men actresses Elisabeth Moss (lead) and Christina Hendricks (supporting) received nods. The other lead actresses are Kathy Bates (Harry’s Law), Glenn Close (Damages), Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife), Michelle Dockery (Downtown Abbey) and Claire Danes (Homeland). Supporting noms were dominated by Downtown Abbey and The Good Wife. The great Maggie Smith and Joanne Froggatt for Abbey along with Archie Panjabi and Christine Baranski for The Good Wife.
(Photo Courtesy of eonline.com)
