Review: 'VEEP' shines a hilarious light on often dim-witted world of politics

Julia Louis-Dreyfus nails comedic nuances in new HBO series

There will be extra treats for Baltimore-area viewers during the first season. One episode, which features Vice President Meyer hosting a "Get Healthy" conference (think Michelle Obama), is set at Camden Yards. Meyer's co-host is former Orioles pitcher Jim Palmer, according to Iannucci. Meyer also hosts a "police breakfast" at the Belvedere Hotel.

The Ottobar, Tremont Grand and Greater Baltimore Medical Center turn up as settings during Season One as well.

In the end, "VEEP" will probably rise or fall at the hands of the Nielsen gods, based on viewer reactions to Louis-Dreyfus. Having an on-screen identity as memorable as the one she helped create for her character of Elaine on "Seinfeld" is a tricky business. Some people fall so deeply in love with such a character that they never want to see the actor in anything else.

I don't think "VEEP is going to be a mainstream hit in the ratings. Let's be frank: It's probably too smart for that. I expect its first-play audience will be more in the range of "Girls," another outstanding series from HBO that debuted last Sunday to 1.1 million viewers.

Let's be glad that the folks at HBO have found a business model that allows for high-end, intelligent series like "VEEP" and "Girls" to populate its prime time instead of the brain-dead double-entendre that passes for comedy on network TV.

david.zurawik@baltsun.com

'VEEP'

"VEEP" premieres at 10 p.m. Sunday on HBO.

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Comments (4)

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meberlein at 11:18 PM May 01, 2012

HBO's website provides free streaming of the pilot, so I had the good fortune of seeing somthing of the show. I think it proves quite the paradox and, simultaneously, quite the true reflection of its American audiences. On the one hand, Iannucci gives the public exactly what we want: a picture of a trivialized government. There are more important things happening than those presented in "VEEP," but it would reflect poorly on the millions of Americans if the best of best had gotten us into this economic mess. Yet on the other, the dark knowledge that such a trivial body of people runs our country is depressing. What kind of backwards democracy have we employed when individuals such as those presented here form our governing body?

It's just like this HBO conflict; I love HBO's work, and it's sad that some of our best entertainment is so difficult to access, stuck in some kind of monopolized limbo. Similarly, our best politicians are just as difficult to elect. The ideal candidates get pushed to the background because their controversial (and rightly-so) ideas offend some big company or other, typically stagnating any campaign. Luckily for television, HBO has found a way to bring these controversial shows to fruition by charging viewers directly; unfortunately for the nation, emerging politicians lack that essential selling point of entertainment value to survive the battle.

spike5034 at 12:20 PM April 22, 2012

Yes, who can afford HBO anymore? David Zurawik is such a jerk anyway. Im a critic too, but unpaid

Sherry T. at 8:55 PM April 20, 2012

Steveg85321,

I am in the same boat, no HBO, unless I can arrange it by the weekend. I think you are right about Julia Louis-Dreyfus. She is a rare talent and probably a perfectionist. Just think of all the craziness of everyday things that even VP Biden says and you could have script for years to come.

I can't find Game Change online or DVD yet. I really want to see that.

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