It sort of saddens me that I haven’t yet written about one of my favorite little gems this spring (pre-summer “summer” show), HBO’s Veep. While everyone was getting carried away with all the controversial Girls drama about whether it was undeniably the best thing ever or TV’s worst nightmare and the growing enthusiasm (and disdain) over True Blood‘s latest season has come the little vice presidential comedy from Julia Louis-Dreyfus and company. (Take a breath.) And you know what? It was absolutely fantastic.
I’m not worried about whether or not the comedy made me laugh aloud multiple times in one sitting or not. I feel as though in today’s television world, series can sort of get away with that. That is to say, that I watch a lot of comedies today that don’t really make me laugh. I’m always blown away with Community’s ambition, or Cougar Town‘s warmth, or the drama that surrounds How I Met Your Mother, or the quirkiness of 30 Rock, (and if I said what show makes me laugh the most, you’d all hate me) but my laugh-per-minute ratio for those shows is sometimes anemic at best. On Veep, it wasn’t always a hardy chuckle, but it was always a great ride. And quite frankly, during tonight’s finale, I laughed by [veep] off.
I mean, that final scene where Dan gets a promotion then #VeepWeep is trending on Twitter, the governor comes in to curse at everyone, and then he’s demoted but not in the public in what even felt like just one shot — what show could master the beauty of such fine and articulate dialogue like that? I actually had to clap. And I also laughed a lot there, too.
The first season of Veep sure didn’t really create many storylines for its characters outside of the political world (not that it has to, at all), but it wasn’t without them. What we got was good enough. It is an eight-episode season, after all. We got to see some of Selina’s home life with her daughter and her maybe-boyfriend/almost-fiance/perhaps-baby daddy Ted. And it came spiraling down during tonight’s hilarious crying gag. And of course, we got to see the supporting players try to rise to power, so to speak…meanwhile Gary just tended hand and foot. But it was pretty good tending — he even knows what the Veep wants when she doesn’t know herself!
This season of Veep was a fun, quick-witted, little journey. It sure was a show where the jokes ruled over substance of the plot, but I think that sort of played to its favor, even if at times it felt as though one-liner insults were thrown in just for good measure. Regardless, Selina Meyer was played beautifully by Louis-Dreyfus, who I’m 93% sure will be nominated for an Emmy. (Actually, she’s one of our dream nominee picks. And also actually, I’ll be surprised if she doesn’t after that finale. Not that the finale is eligible.) I’ve seen Louis-Dreyfus in a few other things — Seinfeld, 30 Rock as Liz Lemon, and Curb Your Enthusiasm as herself, Arrested Development, The New Adventures of Old Christine, etc — but I think Veep is truly a role that was really tailored for her. It obviously won’t ever be as hugely iconic as Elaine or even as memorable as Old Christine, but there are elements in both of those characters that make it fit like a glove in this one. Seinfeld was a show about horrible people doing horrible things to each other, and Old Christine was a show about people belittling its titular character, which sort of just coalesced into Veep. And Louis-Dreyfus has sort of perfected that blend effortlessly, always.
That said, the entire cast was pretty darn fantastic as well. Thanks for the season, Veep team!
I was going to give this season a B+, and then I realized I gave The Vampire Diaries a B- and completely screwed up my grading scale. So a very well-deserved A- it is from me.
Grade: A-
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Excellent show. While Girls took a while to grow on me, I loved this from the start. And now this comedy combo makes my week. See you next Spring, Veep.
I watched half an episode of Girls and I guess I just didn't get "it." Whatever "it" is…and just haven't bothered to check in again. Hope Veep adds 2 more episodes at least next year!
YES. I could definitely use 2 or 4 more episodes next season. I think you should give Girls some more time. I wasn't big on it at the start, but now I watch every episode twice.
Veep is great. The finale was very funny. The series generally got funnier because they followed through on the character traits and plot points in my opinion (Dan and networking for example). At times, they overdid the swearing and trash talk. It was mostly forced. Catherine swore the most naturally, I think. Sometimes the series becomes too serious, but I think they found a good balance. "Has the President Called?" is overdone but it was funny in the finale because it was part of the plot. The contrasts in perceived power and/or status versus real power and/or status are used well (see Meyer, Gary, Jonah, Mike and Dan at the end of the finale). Tony Hale had 14 episodes on Chuck. I don't recognize the other actors from anything. I was hoping we'd see Catherine again. Sarah Sutherland did well in her acting debut.
Catherine gif: https://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3o0l39T821qca6mzo1_500.gif
Well, I recognize Hale from Chuck, but he also did Arrested Development (almost iconically). Reid Scott (Dan) has one of those faces…he's probably done some guest work on a show or two I've watched. I don't think I've seen Chlumsky (Amy) in anything… and I know Matt Walsh (Mike) from Hung. Also, I LOVE the "Did the President call?" joke! Selina's face right afterwards was always so perfect. Hahaha I love that face she makes.
Catherine was a great character, agreed. I thought she was going to pop up again in the 6th episode (I think it was the 6th…), IDK, I remember watching an episode and it sort of felt organic that Catherine was going to pop up but then she didn't.
Andy Buckley was on the Office and he's a regular character on The Lying Game which you need to watch.
Catherine impressed Dan, insulted Jonah expertly, exposed Mike's fake dog, and she's a ground for her mom. She's smart and funny. I'll watch her episode and other episodes again. Catherine could have been in the episode where Meyer said she Skyped with her.
Veep was renewed for 10 episodes
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/hbo-renews-comedies-girls-veep-318057
YOU JUST MADE MY LIFE RIGHT NOW.
Dude, Anna Chlumsky is Vada from My Girl!!!
Never in my life have I watched that. About the only Macaulay Culkin movies I've seen are the Home Alones…not even Richie Rich.
oh em gee who are you did you like, not have a childhood??
Nope! I was born a 20 year old just last week. Still learning how to walk. Craziness!!!! :D
I absolutely love Veep, it's really funny.
But then again, I love Girls even more. It's just a different kind of comedy than Veep, and I'm ok with that.