The season six premiere of HBO’s comedy series “VEEP” aired Sunday evening and received its usual warm reception.
Prior to the premiere, some concerns were raised about how this latest season will tackle the current state of U.S. politics, which is arguably just as ridiculous as the show.
The first episode picks up one year after Selina Meyer’s (Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “Seinfeld”) historic re-election loss. She was vice president then, and due to unfortunate circumstances, was sworn in as sitting president for a full year before having to campaign to keep the position.
All of Meyer’s former staff, including herself, are at much different points in their lives. Meyer is in her post-presidency phase, and is trying to write her memoir while plotting a comeback. Dan Egan (Reid Scott, “Dean”) is the current co-host on CBS’ morning show, Jonah Ryan (Timothy Simons, “Gold”) is a current congressman and is keeping up his testicular cancer act because it appeals to a wider audience and Amy Brookheimer (Anna Chlumsky, “The End of the Tour”) is a campaign manager for her husband who is running for a seat in a southern state. Of course, Gary Walsh (Tony Hale, “Arrested Development”) Meyer’s obedient and most trusted assistant, is still by her side.
The season six premiere kept up the show’s staple vulgar language from the past. This may be somewhat of a novelty, but the things that come out of Meyer’s mouth are shockingly hilarious. The one-liners are as vicious as ever and these characters seem to have lost any morals they have had in the past.
People in actual American politics have said this show is scarily realistic. Although the humor is purposefully implemented, the way certain characters interact with each other and the way in which they get their work done is supposedly spot on. The Netflix series “House of Cards,” starring Kevin Spacey, is another program to gain respect for its authenticity.
Louis-Dreyfus’ turn as the first female president may be the second best role she has portrayed on the small screen, undoubtedly after Elaine Benes from “Seinfeld.” She is so out of touch with what it is like to be an actual person, complaining and making fun of people, issues and events that she would normally publically support. The best part about her character is that it makes the audience wonder what all of the real life politicians say when they are not on camera. Meyer is a genuinely mean person and the way she verbally abuses her staff, family and strangers make for wonderfully politically-incorrect television.
“VEEP” has introduced the world to Timothy Simons and Sam Richardson, the best supporting characters on the show. Richardson plays Richard Splett, the awkward yet lovable lower-staff member who started under Ryan and is now working for Meyer. His humor is unlike the rest of the cast because it is based more on his strangeness and being a genuinely good person surrounded by the terribleness of others. He is the biggest surprise of the series.
Simons plays Ryan, who is the weirdest out of all the characters. He is a general punching bag for Meyer’s staff as he worked for the president before her but his willingness to do whatever at all costs and fight back against bullies make for some outrageous situations.
“VEEP” is one of the smartest comedies on television right now. The openness HBO allows has made this project soar and test the boundaries other networks would not have granted.
