Best of 2008: 5 Sexiest Women On TV

By Sara A. Bibel
Fancast.com

Almost everyone on television is attractive. It’s hard to single out a few of the plethora of hot women on television as the sexiest. Especially since sexy is in the eye of the beholder. A strong case could be made for everyone from Tina Fey to Sonja Sohn to Leighton Meester. The editors of Fancast have selected their top five not only for their beauty, but their personality and talent.

1. Julianne Hough, Dancing With The Stars

Not since a teenage Britney Spears danced across television screens in a midriff baring school uniform while claiming she was a virgin has a performer so effectively played the Lolita. During her first season on DWTS, the wholesome then-eighteen year old blonde from Utah had such scorching chemistry with Apollo Anton Ono that everyone wondered if he was the reason she broke off her engagement. She, of course, insisted they were just friends. But her wholesome façade, and skimpy outfits, hide the heart of a fierce competitor. She won the competition twice (with Ono and Helio Castroneves) and even managed to steer Adam Carolla through four weeks of the show. The multi-talented Hough has been nominated for an Emmy for her choreography. Her country album debuted at the top of the charts. She also demonstrated character by going public with her diagnosis of endometriosis against her publicist’s advice.

Check out photos of Julianne right here.

2. Olivia Wilde, House

Hot doctors aren’t hard to come by on TV. But what about one who’s not only sexy, but extremely troubled, complicated, and down on her luck? There are plenty of TV docs out there but none like House’s Thirteen, played by Olivia Wilde. Wilde, who made a name for herself on TV shows like The O.C., and will be seen in Judd Apatow’s upcoming movie “The Year One,” was able to join the fold of an already established show and win viewers over as a distressed bisexual battling Huntington’s disease. We saw her spiral downward and watch now as she finds redemption, and possibly a love interest in Omar Epps. Not everyone can tackle “complicated” with grace like Olivia Wilde and that’s sexy. It also helps that she’s extremely good looking.

Check out photos of Olivia right here.

3. Padma Lakshmi, Top Chef

Eating is a sensual experience. That makes chefs experts at turning us on. Nobody is better at it then Top Chef hostess Lasksmi. The Indian ex-runway model was sexy enough to win the heart of acclaimed author Salman Rushdie. A lifelong interest in cooking led her to write a cookbook, Easy Exotic, which may be one of the few cookbook titles that sounds like a Cinemax movie. Lakshmi’s helpful cooking tips make her more than just a pretty face to Top Chef fans.

Check out photos of Padma right here.

4. Christina Hendricks, Mad Men

In an episode of Mad Men, the men of Sterling Cooper divided the women of the ad agency into Jackie Kennedys or Marilyn Monroes. One looked at Hendricks’ bombshell office manager Joan Hollaway and said, “Marilyn is a Joan.” Damn straight. In a television landscape filled with size zeroes, the voluptuous red head is a reminder of how sexy curves can be. Hendricks is also a brilliant actress. She made Joan’s date rape the most heartbreaking scene on television this year.

Check out photos of Christina Hendricks right here.

5. Minka Kelly, Friday Night Lights

There’s something about a good girl who loves bad boys. The tall, beautiful brunette plays longing as well as anyone on television. Kelly’s Lyla Garrity began the series as the high school cheerleader determined to marry the quarterback. But she couldn’t stop herself from lusting after his best friend. Kelly has taken Lyla on a journey of self-acceptance, as her character flirted with born again Christianity but realized she’d rather risk eternal damnation then give up sex with Tim Riggins. Her molten love scenes with Taylor Kitsch cemented Kelly’s place as one of the sexiest women on television.

Check out photos of Minka right here.