VEEP Not Second-Choice Release Today

Article first published as Blu-ray Review: 'Veep - The Complete Fourth Season' on Blogcritics.

HBO’s Veep is about to begin its fifth season, so, not coincidentally, The Complete Fourth season arrives on Blu-ray and DVD this week. The series is a hilarious send-up of an inept politician who is in the job below the one she wants. With a stellar cast and sharp writing, somehow the program gets better with each subsequent year, and the fourth season is no exception.

As this run begins, Selina (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) is Veep no longer, having taken the Oval Office after the president’s resignation. Despite getting to the job she wants, things do not get any easier for Selina as she bumbles through having actual authority and faces stiff primary challenge in the upcoming election. Unlike what she’d hoped while aspiring to the highest office in the land, everything doesn’t fall into place and she finds her difficulties to be greater than ever. Which makes for ripe comedic ground, this show relying heavily on mistakes and errors.

With Selina’s elevation, the staff is in disarray, too. Dan (Reid Scott) and Amy (Anna Chlumsky) struggle for control of the agenda, and while one gains an early lead, that is far from the end of their drama. Mike (Matt Walsh) may not be suited to the larger spotlight, while Gary (Tony Hale) feels edged out. Jonah (Timothy C. Simons) continues to hang on the fringe, looking for his in. Kent (Gary Cole) and Ben (Kevin Dunn) continue to attempt to do what’s best, but they aren’t always right, and aren’t always listened to when they are. Only Sue (Sufe Bradshaw) remains relatively unfazed, but that’s the role she plays in the crazy group.

Veep likes to bring in fresh faces, and why not? Any comedy actor should love to get on a series with this high a profile and this much acclaim. Sam Richardson (Spy), who has appeared on the series before as Richard, is given a larger presence in The Complete Fourth Season, being promoted to a full-time player. The terrific Patton Oswalt recurs throughout the season. Most notable, though, is Hugh Laurie’s (House) amusing turn as Tom James, Selina’s running mate who keeps overshadowing her. Is it on purpose or by accident? Is Tom angling to edge Selina out and take over, or is he just not as good as she hoped he’d be? You’ll have to watch to find out.

As usual, there are plenty of comedy-of-error moments and slapstick intermixed with witty dialogue and clever bits. Veep is both smart and dumb comedy, excelling at all levels of humor, and providing constant entertainment. It is certainly one of the most consistent series in the genre, rarely having a lesser episode or scene.

As with most sitcom television shows, there isn’t a huge difference in quality between high definition and standard. Obviously, the picture and sound are a lot crisper if you go for the Blu-ray version, but with few special effects or sweeping vistas, it’s not very noticeable. That being said, standard definition is starting to look like it’s from another era and it’s not something I’d ever recommend for a modern show when HD is available.

Where this set fails is in bonus features. Besides some deleted scenes and digital copies of the ten episodes, there is nothing else in this release. With such a phenomenal ensemble and all the Emmy wins, one would think somebody would sit down and talk to those involved about the series. There have got to be some good stories about things that happen on-set. Sadly, though, nothing along those lines is included, making this one of the worst groupings of extras I’ve seen. It’s not enough to sway me into not recommending The Complete Fourth Season; the episodes are still plenty worth it on their own. But it it regrettable.

Veep: The Complete Fourth Season will be available next Tuesday, April 19th at retailers everywhere.

VEEP No More

Article first published as TV Review: 'Veep' - 'Crate' and 'New Hampshire' on Blogcritics.

HBO’s Veep is good in its first season, great in the second, and really finds its stride in the third year, which completed its run last night with two-part episodes “Crate” and “New Hampshire.” Selina Meyer (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) finds her presidential ambitions slipping away again as one screw up after another by her inept team and herself keeps getting her into trouble. But when the POTUS decides to resign in order to spend more time caring for his wife, who recently attempted suicide, Selina suddenly finds herself in the highest position in the land, the first woman to hold the office, woefully unprepared.

A major draw for Veep, and the source of much of its humor, is the way in which Selina constantly and hilariously fails. When considering this, many viewers may wonder why the Vice President could suddenly achieve her goals, rising to the Oval Office, without starting to bleed some of the loser spirit. Veep pulls it off, though, maintaining the same tone and humor at the characters’ expense by making Selina’s ascension accidental and full of flubs such as an overly expensive crate and squeaky shoes. Selina may be president now, but she may just be worse at that than being the veep, and isn’t likely to stay in the office long.

Will Veep stick with the development next season, changing the premise slightly, or will she soon be vice president to one of the primary opponents, still beating her in “New Hampshire,” despite the fact that her election campaign is now a re-election battle? It’s understandable that Selina’s biggest competitor doesn’t drop out of the race, even though it would be customary to do so in the real world, since he is pretty darn clueless, and Selina is definitely vulnerable. There’s a sense of unease and instability as Veep‘s third season draws to a close, and its hard to tell yet just where the writers are going with it.

Yet, there is little doubt that wherever they want to take us, viewers will stay on board. The wry wit and tight pacing keep the show entertaining, constantly upping what’s already been established. It seems like these days the characters can be taken even further, building upon what we already know about them and deepening it. With a top notch ensemble, there are no shortage of directions to play the cast from here.

In “Crate” and “New Hampshire,” each player gets their chance to shine. Mike (Matt Walsh), quite surprisingly makes an awesome press secretary, until he doesn’t. Ben (Kevin Dunn) begs Selina not to make him chief of staff, but she does so anyway. The chemistry between bitter rivals Dan (Reid Scott) and Jonah (Timothy Simons) is excellent as Dan tries to use Jonah and Jonah stays arrogant, in spite of his precarious position. They are matched only by Kent (Gary Cole) and Sue (Sufe Bradshaw), now exes who must share the workspace. Gary (Tony Hale) is under-valued again, feeling bad for himself, while Amy (Anna Chlumsky) is passed over again, trying to grin and bear it.

What’s great is the way that the group passes the ball effortlessly from person to person, taking turns. All the actors take these situations and milk them for every laugh they’re worth, expertly entertaining, being way more important to the show than any detail or joke. They all rise to the occasion when they get their focus, but don’t steal the spotlight from any of their co-stars. The talent here is so thick that any weak link would immediately stand out, but there is none to be found, a casting coup that is appreciated each and every week.

Of course, the queen of the series, Louis-Dreyfus, is even better than the rest, which is truly a feat. Julia makes Selina–who should not be likeable in the slightest–sympathetic. Selina isn’t a good person, she lacks compassion, has a severely broken moral compass, and will gleefully play the political game, allowing her opinion to be swayed as the polls dictate. Yet, there’s a desperation and vulnerability under the surface that makes her incredibly compelling. Selina is narcissistic, to be sure, however we can see her dreams and desires and feel her frustration with every set back. She just wants what she thinks she deserves, and those who achieve it instead of her are no more worthy. It’s a fascinating performance, a career-defining role from an actress who already proved herself numerous times before now, meaning no one needed or expected this much from her, and its easy to be impressed that she’s done it again.

Veep has been renewed (thankfully) and will likely return in 2015 to HBO.

"Some New Beginnings" for VEEP

Article first published as TV Review: 'Veep' - 'Some New Beginnings' on Blogcritics.

HBO’s Veep returns for its third season in fine form this week with “Some New Beginnings.” Selina (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) is out hocking a book “she,” actually her staff, wrote, trying to raise her national profile, while still not being allowed to announce she’s running for president since the POTUS hasn’t publicly said he won’t seek re-election. This is particular self-serving, since the season premiere takes place on the day of Mike’s (Matt Walsh) wedding, which she is missing.

Selina is neither a good person nor a bad person; she’s just a politician. She plays the game and plays it pretty well, or else she’d never have achieved the Veep position, even if she isn’t the best at what she does. But she doesn’t always treat her staff so good. She’s nice enough that they remain loyal and hard-working, but not so nice that anyone volunteers to travel with her, the whole group attending the nuptials of their co-worker, rather than being out on tour.

We see this especially in Selina’s performance at a congressman’s funeral, which she attends after blowing off a line of people waiting to have her sign their books, which she’d grown tired of. She’s basically there to recruit a campaign manager, but he’s already left, and so she ends up making a speech as well. It’s a touching tribute that makes a lot of people happy, but for Selina, it’s all about winning over supporters, and she’s not shy at all about using the same words again when talking to Mike later that evening.

It’s worth noting that two of her staffers, Amy (Anna Chlumsky), who’s been with Selina forever, and Dan (Reid Scott), who ends up doing her a great service in “Some New Beginnings,” are both trying their best to earn the campaign manager spot. Selina is having a rough time deciding between them, but their feelings or efforts don’t really weigh into her thought process. Instead, she’ll go with whoever helps her the most, perfectly willing to toss both aside when a respected, experienced candidate appears to be available.

Does this make her undeserving of the highest office in the land? Well, that’s debatable. There’s something to be said for being good to those who are good to you. Then again, all of these characters work in Washington and they know how the system operates. They willingly chose to participate, so cannot just cry foul if Selina follows a typical path.

Viewers likely won’t have to worry about this, anyway, because the series is called Veep, not Pres. The premise is so successful because Selina never gets what she wants, always bumbling by in the funniest of manners. If she were to actually meet her goals, it would kind of ruin things. The title of her book, which doubles as the title of this episode, proves that yet again. So either the president will have to change his mind again, or Selina will wind up on the ticket below someone else, likely because of her own missteps, more than because anyone else is more deserving.

The best part of Veep is that these characters have become so well-defined and entertaining. The sibling-esque rivalry between Dan and Amy is excellent. Gary (Tony Hale) can’t help but slip right into his old habits in service to Mike’s bride, Wendy Keegan (Kathy Najimy, King of the Hill), for the day. The way the staff can’t let go of their phones, even for an hour, is so fitting. Jonah (Timothy Simons), of course, crashes the party, at which he is not wanted. And Ben (Kevin Dunn) may be new to the main cast, but he slips right into patter with Selina as if he’s always been there. Ditto guest star Sam Richardson (The Office) playing Selina’s on-the-road assistant, Richard, whom I hope we see again.

What may be the most unexpected development in “Some New Beginnings” is that Dan gets Jonah fired. It’s entirely Jonah’s fault, being indiscreet about info he leaks concerning the White House, but Dan helps the annoying guy dig his own grave, and delights at his downfall. Now, I hate Jonah as much as the next fan, but we need him present to hate. His being escorted out of the West Wing by security is laugh-out-loud funny, but he has to stay in the series somehow because he’s way too good an antagonist to let go. Hopefully, this will work itself out next week.

Veep is one of the smartest, silliest sitcoms on TV. It’s high-quality, HBO-level slapstick, with a brilliant cast of actors and writers. I cannot stress enough just how much I love it, probably having become my favorite half-hour premium-cable program currently running. If you’re not watching, you can probably jump in at any old point in the run without being too lost, and I highly recommend doing so.

VEEP Learns How "D.C." Works

Article first published as VEEP Learns How "D.C." Works on TheTVKing.

HBO's Veep ends its second year with "D.C." Selina (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) is ready to announce she won't run for re-election with the president in two years, and so lets her staff go. Then, learning the president is resigning, she asks them all back to gear up for her own run, only to have it fall apart as rumors spread around Washington and the president decides to campaign after all. Of course, none of that matters when the president comes to Selina and announces he's done, so she can try for the presidency.

I have a feeling these back and forth types of situations go on all the time in Washington D.C. It's a city of wheeling and dealing, and one where betrayals happen frequently if someone things they can further their own career. With so many power-hungry, ambitious people in one place, there is bound to be lots of drama.

Veep makes these attitudes hilarious somehow. Even as Selina's staff scrambles to find a life raft off of her sinking ship, we root for them. Selina is a mess, as is very clear in almost every scene in which she appears. Because of this, one can understand and sympathize with those wanting to find a more stable environment where they won't constantly be putting out their fires.

Well, it's easy to pull for most of the staff, anyway. Dan (Reid Scott) jumps ship early and with gusto, even sharing a speech he writes for Selina with Chung (Randall Park, Larry Crowne). I don't know if it's because he doesn't have the history working for Selina, and so never seems as loyal as anyone else, or because he shows so few scruples in his interactions, but Dan is the most unforgiveable of the bunch. Unfortunately for him, this gaff either proves the others are rubbing off on him, or he is just as much of a mess as everyone else, and so belongs there.

It's interesting to see the parallels in "D.C" between Selina and Andrew (David Pasquesi, The Mob Doctor) and Amy (Anna Chlumsky) and Ed (Zach Woods, The Office). Amy hates seeing how Andrew affects Selina, and how they use one another. Ed and her aren't quite so passionate, but they do use each other, much as Selina and Andrew do. Perhaps Amy is emulating her boss more than she thinks.

The plot that doesn't really work for me this week is Gary (Tony Hale) being torn between Selina and his girlfriend, Dana (Jessica St. Clair, Best Friends Forever). It not only feels too much like Hale's character from Arrested Development, but also doesn't really fit the persona of Gary, whom we've only seen worship Selina. Perhaps it's believable that he would latch onto someone else, but we didn't see that evolution, and Dana's interest in Gary doesn't come across as realistic.

Overall, though, Veep really works in the most unexpected of ways. Louis-Dreyfus is a comic genius, surrounded by other heavy weights. Each nuance and tick lands, and even the most pathetic becomes funny in their capable hands. It may be the earnestness with which the cast plays, which also includes Matt Walsh, Timothy Simons, and Sufe Bradshaw, commits to every situation and moment, or the level of authenticity they bring to their selfish screw-ups, but there are usually several things to laugh out loud at each and every week.

This has only been helped more by bringing in Kent (Gary Cole) and Ben (Kevin Dunn) this season. Like when Parks and Recreation added Ben and Chris, having two established, talented actors expand the world of the show, as well as compliment the core group in their every scene, only makes the series better. I credit them both for season two being a marked improvement over season one.

I don't know what season three will look like, exactly. We may actually get to see Selina run for office, which will be cool, since Veep begins after she loses the first race. With the set up the series has provided, there are a myriad of directions and possibilities to explore, and each has their advantages.

Whatever the reason, Veep is doing very well, and I can't wait to see it come back next spring for a third go-round.

Veep Back in the (Not Quite White) House

Article first published as VEEP Season 2 Premiere Review on Seat42F.

Grade: 94%

HBO’s VEEP is back for a second season just in time for “Midterms.” Selina (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and staff anxiously await the results of their party’s fate as the votes are counted for Congressional seats. Selina looks for a way to use the numbers to her advantage to gain more power on the Hill, while others hope to thwart her, in a way, although, as usual, Selina’s own worst enemy is herself.

There are so many fantastic elements to “Midterms” that it’s hard to figure out where to start. VEEP, which is a little rocky in season one, definitely seems to understand itself by the second year. Not only do all of the main players get perfect little bits this week, but there’s room to bring in a wealth of fantastic guest stars, all pulling their own weight.

Among the new characters we are introduced to are: an important member of the President’s staff (Kevin Dunn, Luck, Samantha Who?); a numbers cruncher who has returned to help the President rebound from his big losses (Gary Cole, Office Space, The Good Wife); and a percentage-obsessed nerd (Kumail Nanjiani, Franklin & Bash, Portlandia). Plus, we get the return of Ohio’s Roger Furlong (Dan Bakkedahl, Legit), who has never liked Selina, and never will.

I guess what is surprising is that Dunn and Cole’s characters don’t hate Selina. Selina still manages to offend Cole’s guy, but neither are actively trying to see her fail. They may work for the President, but unlike the President’s liaison with his veep’s office, Jonah (Timothy Simons), the whole White House camp isn’t against Selina.

Which proves what some have suspected, that Jonah is just a jerk. Yes, the President frequently blows Selina off, but Jonah’s dismissive attitude isn’t true of everyone in his office. It’s a power play by someone who wants to take advantage of every ounce of influence they are given, and he isn’t given much. Some people like and respect Selina, which is probably why she’s been around as long as she has.

Between the core cast, which is, without exception, phenomenal at this distinct type of groaning humor, and these guest stars, VEEP soars. It’s hard to define exactly why I am enjoying the show so much, but every single actor on screen just nails their roles. Their line delivery is flawless, the writing is tight, and the show knows exactly what it is, with no wavering in tone or presentation.

A look around at the ensemble supports this conclusion, each with their own bits in “Midterms.” Amy (Anna Chlumsky) balances a dying father with her professional responsibilities. Dan (Reid Scott) fights with Furlong. Sue (Sufe Bradshaw) lays the smack down. Mike (Matt Walsh) tries to unload a leaky boat he foolishly bought. And Gary (Tony Hale) not only has a lipstick emergency, but is part of the biggest kerfuffle in the entire half hour, which hilariously unfolds in the Oval Office itself.

I am somehow not disappointed that the President has yet to make an appearance, even in an installment where he is frequently known to be just around the corner. I feel like the idea of him, painted in the small details we get from other characters, is greater than any actor could actually perform the role. Should VEEP decide down the line to bring in the POTUS himself, it would take absolutely perfect casting to nail the role. Instead, I feel he is better off remaining a legend and a myth, only talked about, never seen, his absence always making Selina seem less important than her job title would lead one to believe.

In the end, Selina actually does get what she is asking for in “Midterms,” or at least part of it. And as fans might expect, it’s not what she bargained for. The President actually calls for her (which NEVER happens), but to ask her to do some difficult stuff, some of which involves shouldering part of the blame for awful midterm elections, which really aren’t her fault.

Louis-Dreyfus is brilliant, making this unlikable woman just a smidge charming enough that viewers can understand how she got where she is. She isn’t nice and she isn’t sharp, well, not entirely, yet she worked her way up to V.P. somehow. It actually makes sense almost solely because of Louis-Dreyfus’s nuanced and carefully thought out portrayal.

And she is matched by everyone else on screen. It’s her show, but it wouldn’t work without the right balance of support the others bring, keeping her the star and the focus, even while servicing their own stories. Excellent work, all around.

If you only sort of enjoyed season one, “Midterms” is worth a shot because I feel the game has been kicked up a notch. If you’re already a fan, this is VEEP at the top of its game, and you should be very satisfied with its return. And if you’ve never watched the show, give it a try. “Midterms” is accessible to anyone, even the brand-new watcher.

VEEP returns this Sunday at 10 p.m. ET on HBO.

Don't cry for the Veep

HBO's Veep rounded up its freshman run with "Tears." Flying to Ohio (where else?) to endorse a gubernatorial candidate, Selina (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) learns that her poll numbers are bad. Suddenly, her endorsement is not needed, and in fact, Roger Furlong (Dan Bakkedahl, Community) threatens retribution if Selina does throw her weight behind him. Mike (Matt Walsh) gets the idea that Selina, overly emotional, could save face if she just shows a little emotion, so he manipulates her into crying during an interview. Suddenly, Furlong wants her by his side again. Then he doesn't. Then he does. The he vows vegeance.

Veep is, more than anything, a very smart comedy of errors. Louis-Dreyfus is her typical, brilliant, comedic self in this role, finally allowed to unleash her profanity amid her stumbles, unlike on her network series. No matter how hard Selina tries, nothing goes her way. She often reacts badly to these negative turns of events, but though she does some ugly things, she remains likeable because of Louis-Dreyfus' subtle depth of personality.

The actress, surely an Emmy nominee this year, is surrounded by an absolutely terrific supporting cast, whose characters are mostly as genuine, sympathetic, and bumbling as she is. Mike is an idiot, but he finally has a great idea, which then backfires. Selina orders Amy (Anna Chlumsky) to fix her poll numbers, which Amy takes completely in stride, even if she has no idea where to even begin with that request. This comes a week after Amy willingly takes the fall for her boss, without coming across as a weak-willed toady. Gary (Tony Hale) keeps Selina on task, such as letting her know that she only has four seconds with a hotel manager.

Then there's Dan (Reid Scott). Dan is not yet a fully accepted part of Selina's work family. He deals with Furlong through most of "Tears." At first, Dan supports Selina, but then is willing to betray her when his own reputation is threatened. Looking good at the end of the day, he is excited by his promotion, and issues a press release within seconds, only to see things come crashing down around him. He may seem smooth, but he's just as much a screw up as the rest. His personal agenda, though, makes him less trustworthy than the other, more earnest members of the group. Which is why he stands out, and is so essential to the show.

"Tears" is a wonderful showcase of so many great things about the series. There are fantastic lines, such as Mike talking of tweaking Selina's "tear nipple," and Selina scolding her people for putting her on stage while she is an emotional wreck. This is followed up by Selina' realization that the job is killing her mental state, and she soon loses the ability to cry, a set of circumstances that lets Louis-Dreyfus slay viewers. The wry writ, all around commitment to the characters and premise, and amusing weekly stories, which do not veer into too goofy a territory, make the entire package work beautifully.

It's hard to pinpoint exactly what is so funny about Veep. There aren't many laugh out loud moments, but rather, a slow build up of fun elements that leave one with an overwhelming feeling of joy. The series did not grab me right away, but each episode drew me further into the story and the characters. Part schadenfreude, part wonder at the talent displayed, each half hour leaves one with an overall sense of entertainment. What more could you ask for in a television show? That's why season two, which will probably reveal the results of Furlong's wrath, should be much anticipated.

Seinfeld curse? What Seinfeld curse?

Veep will return to HBO next year.

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Veep is just a title

HBO premiered Veep last night. In the first episode, "Fundraiser," Vice President Selina Meyer (Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Seinfeld, The New Adventures of Old Christine) loses support from Congress for her cornstarch silverware initiative after making a negative comment about plastics, which upsets the oil industry. Her staff is ineffective, at best, and she isn't much better. Soon other gaffes crop up to make things worse. Their one spot of hope is the bright, young Dan Egan (Reid Scott, My Boys, The Big C), who may be a jerk, but would like to work for Selina and help clean up the mess.

In an interview, Louis-Dreyfus said that the president will not be seen, and that which political party the main characters belong to won't be revealed. However, with cornstarch silverware and clean jobs as Selina's main causes, is there any doubt that she leans left?

It's hard to figure out what Veep is. It's a comedy, sure, though the humor is not broad. But is it a situation comedy, where each week the characters will have to deal with a new set of problems? Or is it an ongoing saga, where each new kerfuffle will build on the previous ones, digging the hole deeper and deeper until Selina's career implodes? The latter would be more welcome, and make more sense. "Fundraiser" is a worthy first start to either scenario, but Veep doesn't make its purpose clear in episode one.

Louis-Dreyfus is fantastic. She has been mostly doing loud, slapstick humor for quite awhile. Veep is a change of pace for her, allowing her to demonstrate her skills more thoroughly. Selina is funny for a number of reasons, mostly because of her flaws. This is similar to past characters the actress has embodied. But unlike those others, Selina is mostly calm, keeping her turmoil internal, instead of ranting and raving. And, since Veep airs on HBO, she gets to use naughty language.

The supporting cast of Veep is wonderful, too, full of comedy veterans. The second star below Louis-Dreyfus looks to be Anna Chlumsky (My Girl), who certainly has power over her co-workers, and is a similar mix to Selina of mess and good intentions. Matt Walsh (Hung, Outsourced) is perfect as the bumbling, inept press guy who should probably be out of a job. Tony Hale (Arrested Development, Chuck) goes to the most extreme as Gary Walsh, Selina's human purse and the staff's whipping boy. Timothy C. Simons is Jonah, the arrogant liaison with the president's office, and sort-of villain to the VP's office. Rounding out the cast is Sufe Bradshaw as Sue, Selina's gate keeper, who appears to be best at doing her job.

So the cast is good, and the writing, which is funny, but not the laugh-out-loud kind of funny, is interesting. But overall, since there isn't much sense of direction in "Fundraiser," Veep is beginning its run in the middle of the pack. It's worth watching, sure, but there isn't a lot of excited anticipation for a second episode. Further installments should make its place in the TV landscape a little more clear, but it's a bit disappointing that a judgment must be put off.

Veep airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on HBO.

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