A while back I shared with you my various girl crushes – those women who inspired me and entertained me.  It is clear though that this list is ever-growing since there are so many excellent female actors and comedian which grace our screens, big and small.  Here are three of my favourite funny girls:  the women who make me laugh hearty.  The fact that they happen to have brains and beauty too seems almost a bit greedy to me!

These are two big hitters right here, sitting together, looking amazing.  Amy Poehler and Tina Fey have the same SNL pedigree but have made their own way as well, each scoring hit shows (albeit with 30 Rock having a bit more time under it’s belt).

Amy Poehler plays Leslie Knope on Parks and Recreation, a mockmentary-style show set in a local government department.  It’s a comedy about real people and Amy plays Leslie with such enthusiasm and love that you can’t help but love her right back.  Leslie is passionate about her job despite the apathy which surrounds her and she really cares about her co-workers and friends.  Amy Poehler has also played some excellent roles in films from the freaky sister of her real-life husband Will Arnett in Blades of Glory to the sweet but trashy surrogate mother for Tina Fey’s character in Baby Mama.

Favourite quote:

Zachary Levi: You know, Amy, when I think of all the sexy, former fake newscasters who now currently have their own hit show involving fake local government, I think of you.
Amy Poehler: Thank you, Zach. And when I think of sexy secret agents, I think of Jason Bourne, and then I fake it and I think of you. (via WhyTheFace)

Tina Fey wrote the superb Mean Girls along with many episodes of her hit show 30 Rock in which she stars as Liz Lemon:

Liz Lemon, head writer of the sketch comedy show “TGS with Tracy Jordan”, must deal with an arrogant new boss and a crazy new star, all while trying to run a successful TV show without losing her mind. (via IMDB.com)

She  is also a producer and all round superwoman of TV and film.  Her spoof of Sarah Palin during the presidential election campaigns was uncanny and hilarious. I haven’t actually seen any of 30 Rock but I was bought season 1 for Christmas so I can’t wait to get stuck in.

Favourite quote:

If you want to make an audience laugh, you dress a man up like an old lady and push her down the stairs. If you want to make comedy writers laugh, you push an actual old lady down the stairs. (via thinkexist.com)

Up until recently, Jane Lynch has always hovered just below the radar for me.  She was that funny woman working the electrical goods shop in 40 Year Old Virgin, she was in Talledega Nights, has voiced characters in Family Guy, she was even Pacey Witter’s mum for goodness’ sake, but it wasn’t until she got hold of the character of Sue Sylvester in Glee that she exploded into the limelight.  She plays the acerbic, nasty, vile, hilarious and terifying cheerleading coach and seems to do it with such relish.  Her line delivery is unsurpassed and I can safely say that no one else could take on this role and produce such a love-to-hate villain with so many bellylaughs along the way.

Favourite quote (as Sue Sylvester):

I, for one, think intimacy has no place in a marriage. Walked in on my parents once, and it was like seeing two walruses wrestling. (via EW.com)