2012 Critics' Choice Television Awards: My Ballot

The second annual Critics’ Choice Television Awards will be announced tonight.

In anticipation of the event, and to give you a look inside my mind as a voting member, I've decided to give readers a look at my super secret ballot.

Which nominees take home the hardware? We'll know in a few hours. Who do I think should be recognized and why? My picks and a few quick thoughts behind the choices are below...

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BEST COMEDY SERIES
Community - Call it a sentimental selection, given all the show has gone through, but originality and pure ridiculous awesomeness give it the close nod over Parks and Recreation, despite the latter being a more consistent comedy.

BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Louis C.K. (Louie) - Unlike any series on television and all the creation of this genius standup, who also improved tremendously as an actor season season one to two

BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Julia Louis Dreyfus (Veep) - One of the most competitive categories, Dreyfus conveys more with a single look than many can do with a monologue. Veep is hilarious and she displays every conceivable emotion every week.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) - Probably my easiest pick of all.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Alison Brie (Community) - Like the show on which she stars, combines hilarity with heart like few other can.

BEST GUEST PERFORMER IN A COMEDY SERIES
Becky Ann Baker (Girls) - For that shower scene alone. Takes a very brave older actress to put herself out there in such a way.

BEST DRAMA SERIES
Breaking Bad - Came very close to selecting Homeland. Just not close enough. Breaking Bad is the best show on television.

BEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) - Impossible to argue with any actor on this list. But when in doubt, go with the king.

BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Claire Danes (Homeland) - I really wanted to honor Katey  Sagal for her incredible body of work on Sons of Anarchy, but the past season wasn't her strongest and Danes created one of the most unique, layered characters on television.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad) - Sense a theme here? Dinklage is terrific, Slattery cracks me up, McDonough oozed creepiness, Esposito still scares me. But Paul and Cranston put on a weekly acting clinic.

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.