Maverick.

Happy 39th birthday, Tina Fey!

What a stellar year this woman has had. Back in September, she grabbed the national spotlight like a woman possessed when America decided she'd be our go-to Sarah Palin stand-in. With her razor-sharp delivery, her winks, her goofy gestures, she defined that Alaskan yeti before Palin had a chance to define herself. Thanks, Tina, for making sure Barack got the presidency, for ensuring that our collective consciousness wouldn't be tricked or distracted by that snowbilly Empress of the North.

And then there was 30 Rock. The NBC cult comedy's defiant third season out-catchphrased itself ("That's a dealbreaker, ladies," "Nords!", "the patron saint of judgmental statues") and remained wickedly hilarious. Extra points to Tina Fey for making the parade of guest stars work, for giving Alan Alda and Salma Hayek and Jennifer Aniston (ugh) and even Oprah real characters to play, not using them as walk-on "look who we nabbed" talent, a la Will & Grace.

Keep it up, Tina. We're all better for having you entertain us.