NBC’s The Office proved that every workplace, no matter how dull, hides chaos and heart underneath. The show ran on network TV and became one of NBC’s biggest hits. Now, HBO’s Veep wants to be remembered alongside it.
Veep ran seven seasons with 65 episodes from 2012 to 2019. It won 17 Emmy Awards, with Julia Louis-Dreyfus taking a record-breaking six Emmys for herself. Nothing has matched it since.
A Vice President’s Staff
Veep stars Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer, the Vice President of the United States when the series starts. Her staff includes:
- Amy Brookheimer (Anna Chlumsky), her Chief of Staff
- Gary Walsh (Tony Hale), her personal aide
- Dan Egan (Reid Scott), her deputy director of communications
- Jonah Ryan (Timothy Simons), her White House liaison
- Mike McLintock (Matt Walsh), her director of communications
- Sue Wilson (Sufe Bradshaw), her secretary
The show blends political intrigue into workplace comedy. It was picked up during a time when workplace comedies were having a heyday.
The Office’s Legacy
The Office set the template for modern workplace comedy. Its writers and producers went on to create other NBC hits like Parks & Recreation, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and later Superstore. Veep built on that format but made it feel distinct, with its own message.
Louis-Dreyfus’ portrayal of Selina Meyer was the show’s center. She brought the same chaotic energy to an elected political figure that Steve Carrell brought to Michael Scott. At the same time, she made Selina easy to root for.
Perhaps most importantly, she created a clear example of a woman succeeding in modern politics. Fictional or not, that kind of representation helps stories live on.
Why Veep Deserves the Same Praise
Veep has never lacked attention. It won Emmys, kept strong ratings, and sold home media releases for all seven seasons. It still has a modest fandom active online today.
But it has never been called a “comfort show.” People do not binge-watch it the way they do The Office.
That is a fair trade. The show’s shorter seasons and pay-TV format kept it out of the binge-watch category. Streaming has changed that. The playing field is now level.
Veep has a huge catalog at 65 episodes. It may never be the comfort show people return to again and again. But it deserves to be.
What Comes Next
More people will make Veep part of their regular TV diet. Selina Meyer will be immortalized alongside Michael Scott, Leslie Knope, and Liz Lemon.
Veep is streaming now on HBO Max. All seven seasons are also available on DVD and Blu-ray.
The comparison is not a knock on The Office. Both shows are great. But Veep pushed the workplace comedy format further than anyone else dared.
Key Facts Box
- Show: Veep
- Network: HBO
- Episodes: 65
- Seasons: 7
- Premiere: 2012
- End: 2019
- Emmys won: 17
- Louis-Dreyfus Emmys: 6
The Cast at a Glance
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer
- Anna Chlumsky as Amy Brookheimer
- Tony Hale as Gary Walsh
- Reid Scott as Dan Egan
- Timothy Simons as Jonah Ryan
- Matt Walsh as Mike McLintock
- Sufe Bradshaw as Sue Wilson
Final Word
Veep deserves its place among the greats. It took a familiar formula and made it bigger, funnier, and more ambitious. Watch it on HBO Max or buy the DVDs. It is worth your time.
See the video the story is built around at Collider.
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