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12 Underrated Actors of 2010
by Dr. Ryan Vaughan, PhD (no, seriously), posted Dec 12th 2010 4:00PM
On the twelfth day of Festivus, TV gave to us... 12 underrated actors. There are a lot of heralded actors out there entertaining us and keeping our couches warm on a nightly basis. So heralded are some that, by association, others spend their entire careers without herald. Herald-less, if you will.
How do we go about heralding the less-heralded? They're certainly worthy of acclaim, with performances both comedic and dramatic, versatile and subtly powerful.
While the herald-hoarders get all the glory, all the buzz, all the paparazzi they can take a swing at, these quiet performers do the dirty work that makes television work. So, in the interest of equal herald for equal work: "Hark the herald angels sing, glory to these 12 underrated actors!"
Pamela Adlon as Marcy Runkle ('Californication')
Adlon was amazing on 'Lucky Louie' a few years back, but the role of Marcy Runkle is perfect for her no nonsense style that's at once poignant and crass. It's almost comforting to hear her dance through lines of ruthlessly vulgar dialogue and own a sexuality that is both sexy and scary ... like cheetah porn.
Gabrielle Anwar as Fiona Glenanne ('Burn Notice')
When 'SNL' does a sketch about a game show that challenges contestants to explain what it is your show is about ("What is 'Burn Notice?'"), and no one can ... you're on an underrated show. But a lot people are watching for a reason, and I'm pretty sure it's Gabrielle Anwar's turn as the Bond-girlesque IRA spy.
Stephen Colbert as "Stephen Colbert" ('The Colbert Report')
Colbert is mostly overlooked because he lives in the shadow of his "adversary," Jon Stewart. In fact, their public squabbles, however manufactured, are as funny as any of their political satire. Every hero needs a villain, and in this case, they both happen to be jokers. His parody of Papa Bear O'Reilly and all things conservative illustrates his range as a performer.
| The Colbert Report | Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| Recap - Week of 11/8/10 | ||||
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Donald Glover as Troy Barnes ('Community')
Glover is far from underrated in sketch/improv comedy circles. His work with Derrick Comedy most likely landed him the role of Troy on 'Community.' But network television is a long way from the improv theaters and the Internet, and Glover has brought Troy to progressively better jokes and better storylines with counterpart, Abed (the also-underrated Danny Pudi). On a show with many complimentary characters, Glover's not only compliments, he gives them a rub-down and makes them hot cocoa.
Christina Moore as Candy Sullivan ('Hawthorne')
You may have heard already that Moore will be on the next season of 'True Blood,' and it should come as no surprise if you've ever seen an episode of 'Hawthorne.' It's tough for gorgeous women to get any kind of respect without compromising who they are, but Moore exhibits a strength and a presence in every frame that will make you wish you were in a horrific accident, just to have her wheel you in on a gurney.
Heather Morris as Brittany Pierce ('Glee')
Lea Michelle and Jane Lynch get all the run, but Morris is simply delightful as Brittany. Not only did she do Britney Spears justice in that sequin flesh-tone body stocking, but she also does "vapid and vacuous" with almost frightening accuracy and an innocence that makes us love, rather than hate her. Add to that the fact that "Glee' is essentially her first acting gig and we dare you not to be impressed.
Nick Offerman as Ron Swanson ('Parks & Recreation')
Ron Swanson isn't just a man's man -- he's a man's man's, man -- and Nick Offerman makes 'Parks and Recreation' a show worth waiting until January to see again. Hunting, whiskey, breakfast, barely contained hatred and rage, woodworking, and an immeasurable pain tolerance make Ron Swanson the best candidate to write a Dude Handbook.
Kaitlin Olson as Dee Reynolds ('It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia')
Like Elaine Benes before her, Dee has to match wits, insults, and depravity with a slew of insensitive, selfish men. Olson does more for gender equality through her ability to out duel and out scheme her male counterparts, as Kim Cattrall ('Sex and the City') ever did by bedding hers and bragging about it to her friends. Charlie, Mac, Dennis, and Frank might not think she's in their league, but the audience does.
Rico Rodriguez as Manny Delgado ('Modern Family')
While it's not difficult for a 35-year-old to play 18 (see the original 'Beverly Hills: 90210'), it can't be easy for a 12-year-old to play 45, but Rodriguez does it with an ease and a charm that makes an already funny show, hilarious. Whether he's waxing philosophical with people thrice his age or baffling/creeping out his peers, what he brings to the show is a subtle reminder that we're all in too much of a hurry to grow up.
Kenan Thompson as Various Characters ('Saturday Night Live')
It's shocking to me that Thompson has any career other than car wash manager after his early work on 'Kenan & Kel.' (For example: anyone seen Kel lately?) It takes a lot of skill and perseverance to not be remembered as "the fat guy from 'Good Burger.'" His tenure at 'SNL' has been a steady climb from extra to role player to headliner, and it has been particularly enjoyable to watch it all unfold.
Jerry Trainor as Spencer Shay ('iCarly')
On a show that most people over the age of 20 have never heard of, Trainor dominates. The show is about the tweens, obviously, but Nickelodeon learned some time ago that shows do a lot better (sell more merch) if there's an element to the show that doesn't make parents want to sell their children on the black market to avoid them. Trainor is that element. He makes me laugh at least once an episode, and not ironically. On a tween show. That's talent.
Kirsten Vangsness as Penelope Garcia('Criminal Minds')
The mousy, unassuming tech geek is always neglected. So, of all the performers on this list Vangsness is the only underrated actress playing a character that is equally underrated. She adds a much needed quirkiness to a show that can border on the grim, allowing viewers to take a breath while simultaneously enhancing the drama and suspense.
Who's your favorite underrated actor of 2010?
Tomorrow on Festivus: 11 'Real Housewives' Feuding
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