ReRuns: The Bawdy Humor and Biting Politics of ‘Veep’

“Being vice president is like being declawed, defanged, neutered, ball-gagged and sealed in an abandoned coal mine under two miles of human shit,” Selina Meyer says in the series finale of “Veep.” “It is a fate worse than death.”

Created by Armando Iannucci and spanning seven seasons, the political satire “Veep” stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus as U.S. Vice President, or veep, Selina Meyer. The series follows Selina and her team as they navigate the barbed wire maze of the federal government, setting out to establish a lasting Meyer legacy.

The opening episodes introduce the absurdness of Washington, D.C. politics as Selina debates which frozen yogurt flavor to eat for a publicity stunt while juggling the contentious Clean Jobs Bill — legislation advocating for sanctions on polluting.

Running the veep’s office, and referred to as Selina’s “veeple people,” are Chief of Staff Amy Brookheimer (Anna Chlumsky), Director of Communications Mike McLintock (Matt Walsh), Deputy Director of Communications Dan Egan (Reid Scott), Body Man Gary Walsh (Tony Hale) and Personal Secretary Sue Wilson (Sufe Bradshaw). 

During its seven-year run, “Veep” was met with critical acclaim, securing 68 Emmy nominations and 17 wins.

After winning the 2013 Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, Louis-Dreyfus accepted the award as if she were Selina. Louis-Dreyfus repeated into the mic words whispered by Hale, who flanked her, holding her clutch.

Though created by a Scottish satirist, the series strikes a truthful cord with D.C. staffers.

“The funny thing about ‘Veep’ is, we as people who worked in the White House always get asked, ‘Okay, what’s the most real?’” Tommy Vietor, a former employee of the Obama administration, said in an interview with The Wrap. “And the answer is, it’s ‘Veep.’ Because you guys nail the fragility of the egos, and the, like, day-to-day idiocy of the decision-making.” 

The series’ relevancy survives today, as “Veep” viewership spiked more than 300% following Vice President Kamala Harris’ entrance into the presidential race, according to The Hill.

In “Veep,” diplomacy is nothing but a pretty word to toss around — seductively tying a bow around the dumpster fire that is Capitol Hill. Politics devolve into petty catfights as government officials prefer to spit insults rather than pen legislation.

Reeking with foul language, the show’s insults are hilariously and obscenely creative.

Jonah Ryan (Timothy Simons), an arrogant liaison between the West Wing and the vice president’s office, is Capitol Hill’s favorite scapegoat. Jonah’s repugnance earns him the nickname Jonad — a marriage between his name and the word “gonad,” referring to testes or ovaries.

In the episode “Testimony,” Selina’s team sits through hearings regarding her campaign’s federal data breach, uncovering the Jonad Files — a comprehensive list of Jonah’s nicknames, coined by the Vice President’s staff.

The monikers include “the 60-foot virgin,” “Jono Ono,” “Benedict Cum-in-his-own-hand” and “Jack and the Giant Jack-Off.”

In his portrayal of the skittish, eager-to-please and dutifully loyal body man Gary, Hale (“Arrested Development,” “Toy Story 4”) is cartoonishly funny. Hale’s performance merges physical comedy with lighthearted quips — in “Frozen Yoghurt,” he even jumps in front of a sneeze to protect Selina.

Louis-Dreyfus (“Seinfeld,” “Saturday Night Live”), who was awarded a National Medal of Arts in March 2023 for her comedic career, shines as the viciously witty Selina. 

With a deceptively sweet cadence and razor-sharp tongue, Louis-Dreyfus slips laugh-out-loud comedy into political commentary.

“Oh, my goodness, you’re so funny,” Selina says to former President Stevenson in the episode “Library.” “If only the American people could’ve known you for your sense of humor instead of your bizarre indifference to apartheid.”

With bawdy humor, brutal cleverness and biting political relevance, “Veep” remains a top dog in satirical television, cementing a Meyer legacy steeped in hilarity and ruthless ambition.

“Veep” is available to stream on Max.