2. TINA FEY
Tina Fey has embodied that all-too-rare brainy/funny/sexy trifecta since she first snarked her way through Saturday Night Live's ''Weekend Update.'' But this year her zany brainchild, the critically adored 30 Rock, won the comedy writer her first acting Emmy for her endearing Every-professional-woman, Liz Lemon. She also proved a box office draw as a go-getter with a ticking clock in Baby Mama, marched in picket lines to become the face of the writers' strike, and signed a book deal. And — oh, yeah — the 38-year-old Fey single-handedly defined out-of-nowhere VP candidate Sarah Palin's public persona with a dead-on SNL impression that became a phenomenon — folksy accent, cutesy winks, meandering answers, and all. —Jennifer Armstrong
Watch a behind-the-scenes interview, as well as clips from SNL and 30 Rock
