So I think the way it's going is Summer 2012-Spring 2013. It was difficult to determine the cut off for summer show premiere dates, so I decided that if a show premiered in May or later, then it's a summer show. As I'm still trying to work out the kinks of the modification, I decided to start with the category that didn't have summer shows last year...Comedy. There is one show that I watched recently that would fall in this category, but I'm sticking with the May cut off and therefore it'll qualify for next year's list. That show is Arrested Development. It's difficult not to include those delightful Bluths here, but at least I have something to look forward to next year in writing about them.
We begin with the female characters of comedy...
2011-2012 Rank: Not Rated
Jeannie begins the season attempting to peice together a very drunken evening with Marty. It is soon apparent that not only did they went on a series of drunken adventures (not dares...she was not a darer), they ended up sleeping together and expressing their love for each other. That led to a lot of awkward tension between Jeannie and Marty all season. The finale found them breaking away from Galweather Stern to start their own business, yet not sure about how they feel for each other.
2011-2012 Rank: 16 (-3)
This past season of Community found Britta in a new relationship with Troy. They had been flirting throughout season 3 and it finally led to them dating in season 4. It soon became apparent that
the relationship would cause tension within Troy’s other relationship…his friendship with Abed. Britta also forced herself into Jeff’s life by helping him meet and attempt to reconnect with his estranged father.
2011-2012 Rank: 25 (+7)
I have always regarded Donna as a funny supporting character on Parks and Rec, but with an ensemble cast so talented it is
difficult to get a lot of recognition as one of the least-used main characters. As the seasons have gone by however, I have paid more attention to Donna and found her to be quite the scene-stealer with her looks and one-liners. She is an independent woman whose private life isn’t well known on the show, but when things do come out about her free time activities it is usually quite hilarious.
2011-2012 Rank: Not Rated
Like Donna at #18, Bernadette on Big Bang Theory suffers from being a supporting piece of a stellar ensemble cast. She began as a love interest for Howard but became not only a member of the first married couple on the show, but also an integral part of a now very important female group of friends (with Penny and Amy). Bernadette may be small (the perfect size for a small Howard), but she packs a punch with her sassiness.
2011-2012 Rank: 18 (+2)
15. Ellie Torres () on Cougar Town
2011-2012 Rank: 17 (+2)
Jules and Ellie are best friends, though we found out in a flashback episode this season that Ellie didn't always like Jules. That shouldn't come as a surprise as Ellie pretty much dislikes everyone. They now how each other work and have no problem pushing each other's buttons now and again.
2011-2012 Rank: 12 (-2)
It’s going to be sad not getting to see Jenna Maroney in front of the “cam-er-a” anymore now that 30 Rock has completed its seven season run. Jenna may not have been aware of anything outside of her bubble, or the smartest person, or best actress, etc…but her deficiencies produced a lot of comedy for 30 Rock. The show within a show that she co-starred in (Tracy Jordan Show) may have ended, but at least she found love in her new husband and Jenna Maroney drag queen impersonator Paul (played by Will Forte).
2011-2012 Rank: 14 (+1)
By the end of 5 I was getting a little bored with the Penny/Leonard relationship. It was clear that Shamy (Sheldon and Amy) and Howadette (Howard and Bernadette) had shifted away from the background of the show leaving her relationship a little less important. Penny did however make huge strides this season by admitting her love for Leonard during an argument. It was a sweet, raw and much-needed moment for Penny. It’ll be interesting to see how she handles Leonard’s long absence as he’s working for Stephen Hawkins in the Arctic.
2011-2012 Rank: 11 (-1)
11. Alex Kerkovich (Elisha Cuthbert) on Happy Endings
2011-2012 Rank: 15 (+4)
The Kerkovich sisters are quite an entertaining duo. They are different in many ways yet still are very much sisters. Jane is tall, successful and a control freak while Alex is short, not so bright and a bit chaotic. Jane picked up a second job this year as a car salesman because she impressed the “Car Czar” with her negotiating skills. Alex runs her own clothing boutique, Xela, though it continues to mostly be empty. Alex moved in with ex-fiancée Dave this season as they tried being a couple again. By the end of the season (and sadly the series) it appeared they were not going to stay together.
2011-2012 Rank: 10 (-)
April began the season in Washington DC where she was hired by Ben to work with him on a Senator’s campaign. She was able to bring her deadpan humor to a new environment and it was entertaining while it lasted. After returning to Pawnee, April continued slowly growing into a more caring and responsible person, though she wouldn’t dare reveal that to all people.
2011-2012 Rank: 9 (-)
The three main relationships on Big Bang Theory are all very different, but it is Amy’s relationship with Sheldon that is the most unique. Amy has never done well with boys and has finally found someone who appreciates her for who she is. The problem is Amy longs for a physical relationship and Sheldon is incapable of providing that. There were some great moments for Amy this season in that department though. When Amy was sick, Sheldon took care of her like his mother used to take care of him. This included rubbing vapor rub on Amy’s chest. She even pretended to be sick for a few extra days to enjoy this moment that Sheldon was oblivious about. During a game of Dungeons and Dragons that the girls took part in, Sheldon allowed his character to take part in“physical” activities with Amy’s character. Though it didn’t seem like much, it was a big win for Amy and a big step forward for Sheldon.
2011-2012 Rank: 7 (-1)
Annie continues to be my biggest TV crush right now, which probably gives her extra credit on this list, but there are some incredibly talented actresses and fun characters that she is up against. I thought this would be the last season of Community, but fortunately I get at least one more season with Annie.
2011-2012 Rank: 6 (-1)
Lily has now been a mother for a year, and though it can sometimes be difficult, her and Marshall seem to be doing a pretty good job. This season Lily was offered a dream opportunity to work with art. The Captain returned and asked Lily to be his art adviser. The final season now approaches which sadly means only one more year with one of the best couples on TV.
2011-2012 Rank: 8 (+2)
You would think after eight years someone would grow and mature and learn from their experiences. That is definitely not the case for Dee (or the rest of the Gang for that matter). She is still the only girl in the Gang and is continuously treated poorly by the guys. Yet for some reason, it's more funny than sad. She certainly makes up for it with her crazy ideas and adventures.
2011-2012 Rank: 2 (-3)
One of the funniest female characters on television over the last several years is unfortunately gone now. Tina Fey has been perfect as the cynical single woman living in New York and working as a head writer and babysitter of the stars of her TV show. In the final season of 30 Rock, Liz experienced some of the biggest moments in her life. These included getting married, adopting two kids (who are adorably just like her two stars Tracy and Jenna) and of course the cancellation of the Tracy Jordan Show. Enjoy the next stage of your life Liz Lemon. We’ll certainly miss you.
2011-2012 Rank: 3 (-1)
Now that her son is married and moving out of her house, how will Virginia handle a home that has never been so empty? She will still have her grandmother Maw Maw to take care of, and no doubt will be well immersed in Jimmy's (and granddaughter Hope's) lives.
2011-2012 Rank: 5 (+3)
Well, we now know the final season of How I Met Your Mother will mainly consist of the events leading up to Robin and Barney's wedding. What we don't know of course is what will come of the Robin/Ted situation that we were left with at the end of last season. Robin is questioning if she is marrying the right man thanks to Ted. Of course Robin will marry Barney in the end, right? Obviously she doesn't marry Ted since we've been introduced to the mother. It's just been a weird year for Robin, but she should be moving towards the happiness that she has been unknowingly searching for these past eight years.
2011-2012 Rank: 4 (+2)
The "will they/won't they" dynamic of Nick and Jess finally swayed towards "they will." Jess can't seem to figure out what she wants, and that began with having lost her teaching job and looking for her place in society. She finally found it with adult education. She then dated a tall, handsome, funny doctor (who I completely approved of for her), but of course things got complicated when she hooked up with Nick. Her next challenge is figuring out where things are going with Nick, and of course dealing with her best friend cancelling her wedding because she loves Jess's roommate.
2011-2012 Rank: 1 (-)
Councilwoman Leslie Knope continues to be one of the most fun characters on television. As I’ve mentioned before about the supporting cast, there is a lot of talent that surrounds Amy Poehler on Parks and Recreation. Leslie is however still the star and heartbeat of the show. Things were mostly looking up for her this past season, including her wedding with Ben.
21. Penny Hartz (Casey Wilson) on Happy Endings
22. Maw Maw (Cloris Leachman) on Raising Hope
23. Shirley Bennett (Yvette Nicole Brown) on Community
24. Dallas Royce (Cheryl Hines) on Suburgatory
25. CeCe (Hannah Simone) on New Girl