The Associated Press named 38-year-old comedian Tina Fey Entertainer of the Year, which is an annual honor that newspaper editors and broadcast producers throughout the nation bestow.

AP members chose Fey as the person who has left the biggest mark in terms of culture and entertainment in 2008, especially prompted by her spot-on performances of Governor Sarah Palin on the “Saturday Night Live” show.

Tina Fey managed to outrun Robert Downey Jr., who dazzled the world with his comeback in the “Iron Man” blockbuster, and Heath Ledger, who posthumously thrilled everybody with his portrayal of the Joker character in “The Dark Knight.”

Sharon Eberson, entertainment editor of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, revealed that Fey had been the obvious choice for the honor, since her skits taking aim at then-vice-presidential nominee Palin had really offered the audiences what they needed, a big chunk of comedy during times of political tensions.

Nevertheless, Fey should be praised for her other achievements, as well, including a first appearance on the big screen in “Baby Mama” and the three Emmy Awards she earned for her NBC sitcom “30 Rock,” for which she served as creator, writer and star.

Fey’s impression of Republican Sarah Palin, apart from having benefited from the fact that an entire nation had turned their eyes and ears towards the political scene, managed to give a push to her aforementioned sitcom, as well. The latter’s fourth season premiered to 8.5 million viewers, which translates as an increase by 1 million from the season that debuted last year.