Sonja Flemming/ShowtimeThe Incumbent: America Ferrera, Ugly Betty
The Contenders:
- Tina Fey, 30 Rock
- Christina Applegate, Samantha Who?
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus, The New Adventures of Old Christine
- America Ferrera, Ugly Betty
- Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds
Who Should Win: Parker, who was also nominated last year for playing Nancy Botwin on Weeds, can and will make you laugh. Mary-Louise is also outrageously hot, not to mention one of the extraordinary screen actresses of our time. Her character on Weeds is one of the most difficult, fascinating and complete characters written for women in modern times. This should belong to Mary-Louise, no ifs ands or buts.
Who Will Win: All of these ladies are fantastic and funny, but I can't help but think that Mary-Louise brings a certain gravitas that the others do not possess. The novelty has worn off of Ugly Betty, Fey is as much a personality as an actress per se, and Christine and Samantha don't have a lot of critical traction. Advantage: Parker.