HBO's Veep stands as one of the defining political comedies of the modern era, deftly blending razor-sharp wit, cringe-inducing blunders, and a searing critique of Washington, D.C. Created by Armando Iannucci, Veep is a fast-paced, foul-mouthed satire that captures the relentless ambition and moral bankruptcy of modern politics. At the center of this chaotic storm is Julia Louis-Dreyfus, whose tour-de-force performance as Selina Meyer solidified her status as one of television’s greatest comedic talents. Across seven seasons, Veep not only remained consistently funny but evolved into a biting commentary on the absurdities of power, ambition, and ego.
Season 1: The Vice Presidency Blues
Veep wastes no time establishing its chaotic tone in Season 1, which introduces us to Selina Meyer (Louis-Dreyfus), the Vice President of the United States—a position that is, as she quickly discovers, largely ceremonial and without influence. Selina is surrounded by a motley crew of incompetent yet oddly endearing staff members, including her sycophantic chief of staff, Amy Brookheimer (Anna Chlumsky), the bumbling communications director Mike McLintock (Matt Walsh), and ambitious personal aide Gary Walsh (Tony Hale). The season sets the stage for Meyer’s perpetual frustration with the lack of respect or authority that comes with the job. Veep is a show about failure, and much of the comedy in Season 1 stems from Selina’s numerous attempts to carve out a legacy—whether it’s environmental initiatives or filibuster reform—only for them to fall apart in the most spectacular ways.
Season 2: Rising (and Fumbling) Star
Season 2 sees Selina becoming slightly more relevant in the political arena, as her influence begins to rise—albeit in fits and starts. The season’s comedy is driven by her growing proximity to actual power, alongside her increasing desperation to be taken seriously in a cutthroat environment. A series of political crises, including an oil spill and a government shutdown, give Selina opportunities to prove her mettle, but she frequently stumbles due to her own vanity and lack of preparation. One of the most memorable episodes, “Running,” foreshadows Selina’s eventual run for the presidency and features a hilarious misfire involving frozen yogurt diplomacy. Louis-Dreyfus’ ability to balance Selina’s ambition with her utter incompetence is on full display this season.
Season 3: The Presidential Race
By Season 3, Selina is eyeing the presidency, as it becomes clear that the sitting president will not seek re-election. This season charts her chaotic and gaffe-filled campaign for the Oval Office. Selina’s quest for power brings new rivals, like the slick but shallow senator Andrew Doyle (Phil Reeves), and unexpected hurdles, including a health scare. This season delivers some of the show’s most iconic moments, such as the cringe-inducing “Debate” episode, where Selina’s campaign strategies go hilariously awry. The comedy intensifies as Selina’s team scrambles to control her image while the candidate herself becomes more unhinged with each passing day. In one of the best twists, Selina wins the presidency by default, setting up the transition into the next phase of her political career.
Season 4: The Meyer Administration
Season 4 finds Selina finally ascending to the highest office in the land, but her presidency is anything but smooth sailing. Now in power, Selina is just as clueless and reactive as she was in the vice presidency, and her administration quickly spirals into chaos. Her new responsibilities come with increased scrutiny, and her administration is plagued by scandal after scandal. The introduction of Hugh Laurie as Selina’s calculating running mate, Tom James, adds a new layer of tension and jealousy to the show. Selina’s narcissism reaches new heights in her pursuit of reelection, culminating in a cliffhanger finale in which the election results are inconclusive, setting the stage for a brilliant and nail-biting Season 5.
Season 5: Recounts, Lawsuits, and Democracy’s Downfall
Under new showrunner David Mandel, Veep didn’t miss a beat in Season 5, which is dominated by Selina’s frantic efforts to win the contested election. The season plays like a fast-paced political thriller, filled with legal wrangling, recounts, and lawsuits, but with Veep’s trademark cynicism and absurdity. Selina’s desperation to remain in power brings out her most ruthless side, as she attempts to manipulate the democratic process for her own benefit. This season’s biting satire was eerily prescient, foreshadowing the chaos of real-world elections to come. The show also delves deeper into the personal lives of Selina’s staff, particularly the hapless Gary, whose blind devotion to Selina becomes both tragic and darkly funny. The season ends with one of the most shocking twists of the series—Selina loses the presidency in the most humiliating fashion possible, to her former running mate, Tom James.
Season 6: Out of Office, But Not Out of Trouble
Season 6 shifts gears by focusing on Selina’s life post-presidency, where she is no less ambitious and delusional. Struggling to remain relevant, Selina embarks on various failed ventures, including writing a memoir, pursuing philanthropy, and, in true Selina fashion, plotting her return to the political stage. Meanwhile, her former staffers scatter into their own lives, with mixed success—Mike becomes a stay-at-home dad, Amy attempts to climb the political ladder, and Jonah Ryan (Timothy Simons) embarks on his own ludicrous political career. Season 6 offers a different perspective on Selina’s insatiable thirst for power, exploring what happens when a politician is sidelined but unwilling to accept irrelevance.
Season 7: The Final Bid for Power
The final season of Veep is a masterclass in political satire, as Selina mounts one last, desperate bid for the presidency. Season 7 is perhaps the darkest and most cynical of the series, as Selina proves she’s willing to sacrifice anything—and anyone—in her pursuit of power. The campaign is filled with dirty tricks, betrayals, and jaw-dropping moments, including Jonah’s rise as a Trumpian demagogue and Selina’s ruthless decisions that alienate even her most loyal allies. The series finale is a pitch-perfect conclusion to Selina’s arc, offering a bleak yet fitting resolution to her legacy. In a final twist of fate, Selina wins the presidency but at the cost of her soul, alienating those closest to her and solidifying her place as one of the most morally bankrupt characters in television history.
A Legacy of Comedy and Critique
Throughout its seven-season run, Veep maintained a rare combination of sharp political satire and laugh-out-loud humor. Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ portrayal of Selina Meyer is nothing short of iconic, as she deftly walks the line between ego-driven villain and laughably inept antihero. The supporting cast, particularly Tony Hale’s perpetually beleaguered Gary and Anna Chlumsky’s ambitious Amy, helped elevate Veep beyond a typical workplace comedy.
What makes Veep truly stand out, though, is its brutal honesty about the nature of political power. The show depicts Washington as a cynical game, where morality is a hindrance and self-interest reigns supreme. In an era where real-world politics often feel like satire, Veep pushed the boundaries of absurdity, all while delivering biting social commentary.
As Veep ends, it leaves behind a legacy as one of the most savage political comedies ever made, cementing its place in the pantheon of television greats. The series’ ability to both entertain and critique makes it not just a comedy classic, but a scathing reflection of our times.
All 65 episodes from the 17-time Emmy® Award-winning series will be available to purchase on Blu-ray starting October 22. If you order from Amazon today you can save nearly 30% off the retail price