HBO's Veep is good again

I thought the present season of HBO's Veep was off to a shaky start with two perfectly fine, but not particularly memorable episodes, but last night's third episode, 'The Eagle' was absolutely brilliant. Easily the funniest thing I've seen in awhile. Everything was firing on all cylinders as the half hour built to a frenzied third act. This is when the show's at its best - when it seamlessly blends sharp, political satire with out-and-out farce. It's one of the few 'smart' comedies that also makes me genuinely L-O-L.



As for the rough start to the season, it might be explained by a change in creative leadership. Armando Iannucci decided not to return for the fifth season, so that he could stay home in London with his family. But the new showrunner is no slouch - David Mandel is an executive producer of Curb Your Enthusiasm.

I like the show but sometimes I feel like the lines come out of the mouths of the writers and not the characters. People in general are not that quick witted. But I will always love Tony Hale. He can play that part until he croaks as far as I am concerned. Very Funny!!!

I want Madam Secretary to meet with Veep

No, that's CBS and Showtime.

The funereal scene was very funny. Gary Cole looked like he was laughing...

Selina: So where's my mother?
Sue: She’s down the hall, to the right. …and Andrew’s here.
Gary: What…?
Selina: What!?
Sue: At Catherine’s request. ...but I made sure he had nowhere to sit.
Selina: You are good people, Sue.

I understand ^that complaint, though I don't agree with it. I think you either connect with a writer's sensibilities or you don't. That same complaint could be lobbed at comedic works from Shakespeare to Wilde to Woody Allen to Tina Fey.

Sorry, I wasn't referring to variances in the quality of writing, simply to the criticism that "the lines [sound like they] come out of the mouths of the writers and not the characters".



I was just observing that the same thing has been said about many comedic writers - including some of my favorites. When I don't connect with the writer's sensibilities (say, with the dreadful Diablo Cody of 'Juno' fame), this 'writer voice' quality drives me up the wall. But when I do connect with the writer's sensibilities (Shakespeare, Wilde, Allen, Fey etc.) then it doesn't seem to bother me in the least. And that's not to say that any of those writers can't/couldn't write for individual characters. Of course they could. But they each have/had such distinctive voices, that their styles are almost instantly recognizable. I think the same could be said of the Veep style of writing.

Updated On: 5/19/16 at 09:50 AM

Just watched this Sunday's episode and it might be one of the best of the series. Angry, demented, and downright hilarious, it reminds me of the very best episodes of the first season.

HorseTears said: "Sorry, I wasn't referring to variances in the quality of writing, simply to the criticism that "the lines [sound like they] come out of the mouths of the writers and not the characters".



I was just observing that the same thing has been said about many comedic writers - including some of my favorites. When I don't connect with the writer's sensibilities (say, with the dreadful Diablo Cody of 'Juno' fame), this 'writer voice' quality drives me up the wall. But when I do connect with the writer's sensibilities (Shakespeare, Wilde, Allen, Fey etc.) then it doesn't seem to bother me in the least. And that's not to say that any of those writers can't/couldn't write for individual characters. Of course they could. But they each have/had such distinctive voices, that their styles are almost instantly recognizable. I think the same could be said of the Veep style of writing.

The observation I made was not in anyway a criticism of the writers. It is the job of the director and actors to inhabit the dialogue. It is acting and directing 101. If it is not achieved it becomes a distraction from the world that is being created. I appreciate the rapid fire satirical approach but the dialogue still needs to come out of the minds of the characters. Don't get me wrong, I love the show.

"

Just caught up on last week's ep. Oh LORD. That was perhaps the second funniest of the season. The misidentification of Selena and Catherine's relationship had me dying.

A very strong season, going to be interesting to see where they go from here.

^ yes