After Seinfeld ended, Julia Louis-Dreyfus appeared in several series and movies like Curb Your Enthusiasm and A Bug’s Life. But she really belonged in her own series, leading others through comedic and other situations. Veep was the answer to everyone’s prayers. As Selina Meyer, the first woman Vice President, Louis-Dreyfus leads this political satire from HBO about the ups and downs, but mostly downs, of politics in the United States. Joining her are comedians Tony Hale as her assistant Gary, Matt Walsh as one of her political aides, Mike, and Sufe Bradshaw as Sue, the President’s personal secretary, to name a few.
While Selina and her team navigate the rocky waters of U.S. politics, several themes throughout the series often feel close to home for those in the United States. Veep was ahead of its time as it pushed the boundaries of political satire further than Parks and Recreation could. For example, Selina is constantly in situations where she has to compromise herself, whereas in Parks and Recreation, Leslie Knope and crew often have a happy ending after their compromise. In this way, among others, Veep often feels like a satire on the real world of politics. Whether the crisis is a viral outbreak, the press’ consistent attacks on Selina, or the real-life consequences of racism and xenophobia, Veep now seems to cross the line from satire to documentary.
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Health Misinformation and Concerns
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Denial around proper health takes two forms: appropriation and misinformation. The appropriation of medicine, for example, has become so widespread that widely known publications like Self help readers understand that many healing practices on social media are often appropriated from Indigenous cultures around the world. In addition to medicinal appropriation, which is made popular by influencers and content creators on social media, the health misinformation movement is fueled by celebrities and politicians. When COVID-19 first broke out in 2020, most of the world went into lockdown procedures. Except for the United States, whose former president first denied COVID existed, which then led to the anti-vaxxers and conservative politicians spreading rumors of harmful vaccination side effects. Indeed, just a year before the pandemic began, the Veep had a similar episode dealing with presidents and medical misinformation. When Selina begins her campaign for president, her opponent aligns with anti-vaxxers as a chicken pox outbreak is feared by the CDC. Not shockingly, her opponent contracted chicken pox, which leads to a massive outbreak in those who attended his rally.
Racism and Xenophobia
The United States, along with many other countries, has a long history of racism and xenophobia. For many non-marginalized and non-racialized groups, diverse representation is perceived as a threat to their erasure. Disney often has their “first” main character who is LGBTQ+, and the outrage follows. Or the same studio will cast a multi-hyphenate talent as one of the most beloved Disney princesses, and users on TikTok or Twitter want to give scientific evidence that mermaids cannot be Black.
Amidst all this outrage, though, is an underlying truth that politicians often fuel this vitriol. While they may not be concerned with Halle Bailey’s career, they will villify people who look like her and write laws citing that Black history “lacks educational value,” like the Governor of Florida is currently doing, as reported by PBS. Additionally, as The Human Rights Campaign reports, 32 states have a total of 175 anti-trans bills. These recent examples are the tippy top of the iceberg of how US politicians use racism and xenophobia to incite violence and then offer thoughts and prayers while the smoke lingers in the air. Veep reflected these narratives with talks of a border fence between the US and Mexico.
Press and Politicians
Even with soundbites and articles quoting people, words are still twisted easily for profit and personal gain. Sometimes, people are even misquoted or given credit for things they didn’t say. The press and politics are both at war with each other and celebrating together. Politicians often use social media to discuss everything from common day occurrences to the latest bill they are supporting. But the former president ushered in a new era: using their official Twitter account to bash and harass celebrities and other groups.
On Veep, Selina sent a scathing tweet about an opponent. Another politician on the show, in a different episode, used their Twitter to call for a recount. For those unfamiliar with U.S. politics, this happens at nearly every election, with the votes typically being recounted and the same result is reached. Sometimes, the press and politicians will hang onto one or two stories for a politician, especially if they are a woman. Politicians like Hilary Clinton and Sarah Palin are often attacked for one thing by both sides. Whether justified or not, women’s political accomplishments are overlooked. Similarly, in Veep, any misstep by Selina is blown way out of proportion compared to missteps from politicians who are male on the show.
Main Characters and Politicians
Actors are sometimes split when their character is based on a real person. Sometimes, the real person will make the creativity quite limited for the actor. Nonetheless, every actor has their own approach when portraying a person, real or fictional. Of course, portraying politicians is more complicated when they aren’t a parody in a skit on Saturday Night Live. Head writer and creator of Veep, Armando Iannucci, was more fascinated by the role of the Vice President rather than anyone in particular. Even Louis-Dreyfus told Bustle that Selina is entirely her own person and is not based on any particular politician. Yet fans are adamant that Selina is a conglomeration of Hilary Clinton, Senator Amy Klobuchar, and Vice President Kamala Harris. The similarities between Clinton and Selina are that Clinton was the first woman to be a finalist in the run for president ,while Selina is the first woman president. If Selina were a man, she would be called assertive for her abuse of her staff. Allegedly, Senator Klobuchar has been less than favorable with her own staff, according to Huffington Post. Finally, Selina was the first female vice president, much like Vice President Harris.
