Veep [HBO - Spoilers]

JP Liz V1

http://insidetv.ew.com/2010/11/22/julia-louis-dreyfus-veep-hbo/

Three weeks after news that Julia Louis-Dreyfus was in talks to return to TV with an HBO pilot, the network confirms she’s set to star in Veep. HBO describes it as, “a comedy set very near the White House. Former Senator Selina Meyer [Louis-Dreyfus] finds being Vice President of the United States is nothing like she expected and everything everyone ever warned about.” The pilot is written by Simon Blackwell and Armando Iannucci, the latter of whom will direct. Iannucci will also exec produce along with Chris Godsick and Frank Rich. Louis-Dreyfus will moonlight as a producer.

I have never been a fan of hers tbh but this is on HBO so it could be ok

pickarooney

HBO has gone to the dogs this last few years and I no longer assume their shows are going to be good by default. However, Armando Iannucci has never done anything bad.

JP Liz V1

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Dreyfus-Veep-HBO-1031962.aspx

HBO has given the green light to the D.C.-based comedy Veep starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Deadline reports.
Louis-Dreyfus plays a former senator who becomes vice president and quickly learns that the new gig is not at all what she expected. Arrested Development's Tony Hale co-stars as her right-hand man, Anna Chlumsky (My Girl) plays her chief of staff and Sufe Bradshaw (Bones) is her assistant.
Veep comes from British comedian, writer and director Armando Iannucci (In the Loop), who will executive-produce the series with Chris Godsick and Frank Rich. Louis-Dreyfuss will serve as a producer.
This is Louis-Dreyfus' first foray into series television since the cancelation of CBS'The New Adventures of Old Christine last year. She won a best actress Emmy for the series, as well as a best supporting actress Emmy for Seinfeld. Louis-Dreyfus recurred on the HBO comedy, Curb Your Enthusiasm, last summer when the Seinfeld cast reunited on-screen.
Veep is set to begin production this fall for a 2012 premiere.

Richard Dower

http://www.digitalspy.ie/ustv/news/a355507/veep-hbo-releases-teaser-trailer-watch.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-UHO-Fk1ZQ

^ worst promo ever????? :rolleyes:

JP Liz V1

New Promo Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soJggb_jDL8

bnt

Oh man, I hope this also comes out on one of the non-Premium cable channels in reasonable time. I have long been a fan of JLD, she has impeccable comic timing, and Anna Chlumsky was one of the best things about In The Loop. Combine that with Ianucci's writing, on HBO (no bleeping bleeping), and I may have to rethink my pilacy poracy ... :cool:

A bit of behind-the-scenes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My8PA7TBqJo

Nate--IRL--

Hmm looks good. I'll keep an eye out for this.

Nate

pickarooney

Is that the Chris Morris directing (first second of the clip above)?

JLD just gets better looking all the time.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

so i'm the only one who gave that trailer a big 'meh'?

loved iannuci show and TTOI but this just leaves me cold

bnt

Richard Dower wrote: »

^ worst promo ever????? :rolleyes:

Hard to tell, since the video is gone. Was it this "teaser"?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0dMZo3l_5k

donnacha

looking forward to watching episode 1tonight. Anyone else giving it a spin?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QfJMiInDfk

some deleted scenes from episode 1 also on hbo website:

Goolay

Just watched it - thought it was hilarious. Cracking dialogue as always with Ianucci. Very much in the vein of In The Loop/Thick of It

dr gonzo

I agree with the OP, wouldnt be mad about JLD but HBO meets Armando Ianucci?! Cant go wrong... or at least, I really hope it doesnt.

Kiwi_knock

I thought it was hilarious as well. Never watch The Thick of It or In the Loop but will certainly check both out after watching this. Looking forward to the rest of the series, hopefully can maintain the high standard of the first episode.

Mr E

Funniest thing I've seen on TV in a while. Cracking stuff.

TwoShedsJackson

Pretty decent and should get better as the characters and writers settle in.

Skid

I thought it was very good, it will probably get better as the characters become more familiar.

Similar enough to 'The Thick of It', although not nearly as much swearing and no Malcolm Tucker, alas.

The Anna Chlumsky character is similar to the one she played in 'In The Loop'.

squonk

Haven't seen In The Loop in a good while but I was thinking it was the same girl! It's a cracker alright. One of the funniest things on US TV I've seen in ages. The part where JLD came out of her office to scream at them outside over the card while whispering that she had to talk to 'this ****tard' still has me cracking up!

I'm hoping it grows and the Egan guy becomes the US Malcolm Tucker. It's a great show but there's just a bit of a void left by everybody not running in fear of a bollocking!

JohnK

So, I'm the only one who thought it was fairly crap then? :pac:

Duck Soup

Thought it hit the ground running. Remarkably assured in terms of characterizations and the relationships. JLD is better than ever and the whole thing just fizzes along.

squonk

yeah it was a lot stronger than most US comedy pilots tend to be. My opinion of JLD is changing. i was never a big fan, though I'd only seen her on Seinfeld which was a show I hated. God she'd tiny!!!

bnt

My opinion of JLD was definitely boosted by New Adventures of Old Christine, so I have no trouble with her starring in this. I've yet to see Veep, though - I don't get HBO.

I like that Selina has an official website too - http://www.selina-meyer-veep.com/ Want to buy a commemorative plate?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJrrUKZF68c

"Mi website es su website."

Skinfull

I was a bit sceptical when I heard about this show but watched it last night and really enjoyed it. Loads of laughs and cringe moments. I expect it only to improve.

Hobbes

Didn't like it. Anyone who thinks it is like The thick of it, needs to watch that series again.

AnonoBoy

Hobbes wrote: »

Didn't like it. Anyone who thinks it is like The thick of it, needs to watch that series again.

I haven't watched it yet but surely the fact that it's written and directed by Iannucci would put it firmly in that ballpark wouldn't it?

pixelburp

Funny as I'd only just finished going through all 4 seasons of The Thick of It (thanks Netflix), so was interested in having a taste of this for a bit of compare & contrast.

It's definitely cut from the same cloth as Iannucci's magnum opus, there's no doubt about that, but so far it seems like a slightly tamer version of it. The VP herself felt a bit too like the female MP from the 4th series of the British sitcom, she had some of the same character beats, whilst the supporting cast were a bit of a mixed bag. Yes, there's no Malcom Tucker equivalent, but then tbh that sort of personality wouldn't have worked in the American political landscape.

That all said, it was still quite funny in places, and would definitely give it a chance. Just feels like it needs a slightly sharper edge perhaps.

squonk

Agreed. I watched In The Loop again at the weekend. The classic bit in that was Malcolm Tucker abusing the ****e out of James Gandalfini and it rolling off Tony Soprano like water off a duck's back

I suspect that, because it's the US, there's only so far they can go. We're quite lucky here to have the Beeb who aren't overly concerned about advertisers and even HBO have to play ball a bit more than the beeb so having a show that was as 'in your face' as The Thick Of It would probably generate a high amount of complaints and go off the air quickly.

squonk

I was quite disappointed with ep 2. It wasn't as strong as the pilot really. What, for me, might be a bad thing is that the staff are becoming annoying quite quickly. I know the Thick Of It had pointless flunkies but they were more reserved or something. Perhaps the difference is that, just when they were getting on your tits, Malcolm Tucker showed up and gave them the kicking you were dying to give them at that point.

I'm starting to worry about this series now. Last night's episode was pretty pointless and fairly silly. There isn't one episode of TTOI that I'd have said that about. It's looking like the Veep is a real moron. Nicola Murray was an idiot as well but somehow there was more depth to her character. Perhaps as it's aimed for a US audience a bit more, I'm just not getting it but it's looking like the poor relation to the UK efforts right now.

I know with a strong pilot it was going to be hard to keep the standard up but I'd have expected an episode like ep 2 as a slow filler 5-6 episodes in. I'll keep watching for now, I really hope next week is back on form though.

Goolay

squonk wrote: »

... even HBO have to play ball a bit more than the beeb so having a show that was as 'in your face' as The Thick Of It would probably generate a high amount of complaints and go off the air quickly.

Judging by the likes of Oz & Game of Thrones, don't think there's much that can't be shown on HBO

JohnK

squonk wrote: »

I was quite disappointed with ep 2. It wasn't as strong as the pilot really.

Well thats definitely me out so, I was hoping the pilot was the low point from where it would just get better :eek:

steve_r

I'm enjoying it so far, it doesn't reach the heights of ttoi, but tbf I think that's a very high standard.

I don't think the stakes are quite high enough so far, I think people are right in saying ep2 was weak. The ending was just a cheap gag, whereas ttoi always seemed to end very strongly on a character moment.

Having said that, as someone who watched the west wing, I'm enjoying the more cynical, dark humor take on American politics.

All in all I think it's worth checking out.

MyPeopleDrankTheSoup

pretty good so far and i like most of the characters except that amy one, crap actress and such a cliched type of character.

squonk

I really think this show is starting to flounder based on the current episode. I'm finding it increasingly hard to care. The various characters become more and more grating. That Gary guy is a moron and I'm amazed he's still there. FWIW unlike the last poster I think Amy is one of the best characters.

The show is really just going nowhere slowly. A Malcolm Tucker type is sorely missed. They need some external factor to kick them out of their collective arseyness every episode and while that should be that Jonah guy, he's just a massive arse himself. He needs to be different to the mandarins, the same way Malcolm Tucker was.

Right now even the In The Loop was a lot better. I thought that new guy who joined a few weeks ago would end up being more like the Dan character from ITL or ITTOI but I'm not sure what he's doing tbh. Actually the 'Has the President Called? No' gag is getting old at this stage and it's actually what the show needs, a president or someone else who can put the boot into Selina or her cronies every so often.

I has such high hopes but I'm not sure if this is going to last on my viewing list much longer.

stevenmu

Plotlines for the nest 5 episodes:

1. Veep accidentally insults gay people, hilarity ensues
2. Veep accidentally insults disabled people, hilarity ensues
3. Veep accidentally insults religious people, hilarity ensues
4. Veep accidentally insults old people, hilarity ensues
5. Veep accidentally insults women, hilarity ensues

They really need to shake this up a little. It's a good concept with some potential, but they're not really taking advantage of it yet.

squonk

Yeah that's true. I thought the scene in the hospital in the current episode was pretty good. I was hoping her comments about the whitehouse leading the charge if negligence was found to be involved in the accident was going to land her in trouble and maybe finally get things rolling a bit more,

They're just not using the potential they have right now and there's a few characters that need to be canned or moved to the sidelines.

Kiwi_knock

Have to agree, the last episode was quite poor. I thought the show could survive without a Malcolm Tucker type of character but now I am not so sure. There really should be some consequences for their stupidity, watching them go from blunder to blunder is not really funny anymore.

MyPeopleDrankTheSoup

Amy has grown on me alright but what did you think of her daughter in episode 3? Such a **** actress, annoyed me every time she talked.

Storylines are average alright but they manage to get some great one liners in every now and then.

squonk

Yeah the daughter was a complete waste of space. I couldn't stand her but she's one of a few I can't stand on the show.

Maybe a big problem here for the show was the decision to make the politician the Vice President. She's going nowhere. I mean, you can't imagine Dubya axing Cheney or O'Bama axing Biden. The great thing about ITTOI was that the ministers were fairly down the pecking order and could get the boot if they messed up or if it suited Malcolm's bigger plan. The beauty of the show was that they were twits but they were interchangeable twits and their cronies either fell on their swords with them or managed to wrangle a gig with the next office holder through cunning and cute hoorism. Like you said Kiwi, watching them go from blunder to blunder isn't that funny now. You really need the view from outside the office which was what Tucker gave and what that Noah gimp should be doing but isn't. It's becoming fairly retarded pretty quickly. I'm really hoping there won't be a Series 2 at this rate.

Skid

Disappointed with the last episode of Veep.

Maybe the role of the Vice President is too dull to parody. The show is amusing but not gripping.

If ever a show needed Malcolm Tucker (or his American equivalent) it is this one. Ah well, more Thick of it in production right now.

Kiwi_knock

The latest episode was more of the same. Still funny but really lacking a punch. Dan's verbal assault on Jonah was the best thing about the show, finally someone's stupidity actually being punished. Only 3 episodes left so will stick with the show but will not be eagerly awaiting a series 2 unless they change it up.

squonk

Skid wrote: »

If ever a show needed Malcolm Tucker (or his American equivalent) it is this one. Ah well, more Thick of it in production right now.

That's great news! I thought it was over for good. TTOI is fantastic! Everything Veep isn't!

Gary is easily the best thing about the show, the scene where Gary walks in with the tea as Selina is trying to decide who to fire was priceless.

JP Liz V1

Starts at 10pm on Sky Atlantic on Monday next

Rael

pixelburp wrote: »

Yes, there's no Malcom Tucker equivalent, but then tbh that sort of personality wouldn't have worked in the American political landscape.

I'll disagree with you on that point, a character in the style of Rahm Emanuel (not the Josh Lyman lite version) could be pretty useful in the show and is well known / documented for his colourful and abusive outbursts

JP Liz V1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYIZvegLp-k

steve_r

http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/television/2013/04/veep_second_season_review_hbo_s_much_improved_political_satire_starring.html

Says the second season is a lot funnier. Not convinced myself.
Anyone still watching that can share their opinion?

pl4ichjgy17zwd

It doesn't premiere 'til Sunday, does it?

steve_r

Tegan Shy Self-consciousness wrote: »

It doesn't premiere 'til Sunday, does it?

Good point - the dangers of relying on American news sites!

S.M.B.

Interesting...

My two main sources for previews have come to opposing conclusions.

Richard Dower

Tegan Shy Self-consciousness wrote: »

It doesn't premiere 'til Sunday, does it?

Season 2 premiere is this Sunday: http://www.spoilertv.com/2013/03/veep-season-2-trailer-2.html

squonk

Just seeing that my media server is pulling down S02E01 now. Didn't hear any buzz surrounding this at all so far. Not even on Facebook and I've liked the Veep page. Let's see how it goes. I wasn't very impressed with Season 1. I hope they manage to up the game for this season.