Ladies Who (Liquid) Lunch
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10. Alison Hendrix, Orphan Black
The most tightly wound of BBC America's "Clone Club," Alison's Type A suburban-mom lifestyle sometimes clashes with the stresses of being monitored by scientific conglomerates, law-enforcement agencies and even her hapless husband. Oh, and yeah, there was that time she let her closest frenemy asphyxiate via a scarf caught in a trash compactor. So you'll forgive her, thank you very much, if she occasionally has one too many sauv blancs — or mini vodka bottles — to calm her frazzled nerves.
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9. The Ladies of Awkward (Ally, Lacey and Val)
Jenna Hamilton is a master of complicated relationships — and it certainly doesn't help that her mom, her vice principal and her arch nemesis' legal guardian are all drinking buddies. It's not a true episode of Awkward unless one (or all) of these ladies downs a glass (or bottle) of vino, and we wouldn't have it any other way.
Bad Judge - Season Pilot
8. Rebecca Wright, Bad Judge
OK, so there was that one time she called the fire department to help her get her bearings after ingesting one too many "special brownies." But Kate Walsh's new NBC sitcom character, despite her hang-overs and alleged muffin-top (!), makes a strong case for a boozy, bawdy, unapologetically single existence.
YUNJIN KIM
7. Karen Kim, Mistresses
Karen's foray into assumed identities, scandalous wigs and anonymous hotel hookups only lasted for half of Season 2 — and ended with an HIV scare and a possible pregnancy. But in the world of ABC's frothy summertime sudser, bad behavior = goooood viewing. And considering Karen holds a Ph.D. in Foolery from the University of Terrible Life Decisions, we're hoping there'll be more tipsy tumbles ahead of her in Season 3.
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6. Cersei Lannister, Game of Thrones
It's exhausting work, carrying on a torrid affair with one brother while brutally plotting the demise of another — all while prepping your teenage son to assume his place on the Iron Throne. Fortunately, there are perks to being a Queen Regent, too, and one of 'em is always having a handmaiden available to refill your chalice. Winter is coming, after all... and there's nothing like a little mead to keep you cozy.
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5. Gretchen and Lindsay, You're the Worst
Boozy brunches? Check. Unfortunate affairs? Yep. Waking up naked with your boyfriend in the driveway? Hey, it happens — at least in the heightened, deliciously toxic world of FX's brilliant, obsidian-hued comedy. Maybe we wouldn't want to completely rely on self-absorbed publicist Gretchen or desperate housewife Lindsay in a moment of crisis, but they darn sure make good companions for a half-hour a week.
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4. Ellie Torres and Laurie Keller, Cougar Town
Jules' BFFs on TBS' raucous comedy are active and jaunty participants in the daily ritual of "pounding grape." OK, maybe Ellie occasionally forgets she has a son and Laurie is sometimes at risk of a bar brawl with nemesis Nezzie, but at least they're never judgmental, right?
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3. Jules Cobb, Cougar Town
The self-employed Florida realtor enjoys the occasional "morning wine" with friends — and is prone to using vases and other oversized vessels (Big Tippi, Big Carl, Big Joe) to get her draaank on. Nevertheless, she generously shares her libations with the cul-de-sac crew, and has even attempted to monetize her love of drinking via the ill-fated "Guzzle Buddy" (a screw-on wine-glass topper that turns your bottle into a convenient single serving).
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2. Olivia Pope, Scandal
Don't try serving Miller Lite to Washington, D.C.'s premiere fixer — she only unwinds with red wine (and the pricey kind, too). Sure, her predilection for "'94 Duvillet" proved the undoing of her deserted-island exile — associate Quinn located her by tracking global shipments of the rare, fictional varietal — but as long as her white suits and cream-colored sweaters don't betray any burgundy splatters, we'll raise a glass to Liv's intoxicating vice.
Oppo Research
1. Alicia Florrick, The Good Wife
Whether mourning ex-lover Will's death by mainlining martinis, throwing back tequila shots with new pal Finn or glug-glug-glugging a goblet of red in the comfort of her living room (to watch AMC's Darkness at Noon, natch), Alicia isn't afraid to use an adult beverage to combat the stresses of being a mom, a law partner and the first lady of Illinois. Sure, she almost got into hot water when a shady cop — clearly working for her opponent in the race for State's Attorney — pulled over her car on the way home from the bar, but she'd only had one glass. Nope, Alicia doesn't treat alcohol like it's Pringles: Once she pops, she can (and sometimes will) stop.