‘Veep’ Creator Armando Iannucci Comments on Real-Life Political Comparisons and Gives a Warning

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As a long-time gamer and avid consumer of political satire, I can’t help but be both amused and alarmed by the recent real-life parallels between Armando Iannucci‘s HBO series “Veep” and the current political landscape. It’s surreal to see the memes circulating on social media comparing Kamala Harris to Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ character Selina Meyer, especially given Iannucci’s recent comment that he’s “still trying to process it all.”

Armando Iannucci, the mastermind behind “Veep,” has been inundated with requests from media outlets, including this one, since President Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential race and backed Vice President Kamala Harris. They’re eager for his insights on how closely reality aligns with the storyline of HBO’s political satire.

In the second season finale, which was broadcast in 2013, an intriguing storyline has resurfaced on social media. In this plot, Selina Meyer (portrayed by Julia Louis-Dreyfus), who was then the show’s Vice President, learns that the unseen president would not be seeking reelection. Excitedly, she shares her intention to run for the presidency with her team.

Ianucci joined the conversation just as the video was being circulated, commenting, “I’m still figuring out how to conclude this.”

Social media has been inundated with memes based on the hit show “Veep” and its star, Julia Louis-Dreyfus. These memes draw parallels between her character as a politician and Kamala Harris, with relevant clips from the series gaining widespread attention. Harris’ social media team has embraced these memes, using them to engage younger voters and attract more youth to the Democratic party. In response, HBO swiftly promoted “Veep” on its Max streaming service and through official social media channels. As a result, viewership of the show experienced a significant surge, with a 350% increase reported by entertainment data company Luminate.

In a Friday opinion piece for the New York Times, titled “I Made ‘Veep.’ The Real-Life Version Isn’t as Amusing,” Ianucci provides clearer insights.

I’ve spent decades immersed in the world of politics, and I’ve seen it all – the backroom deals, the mudslinging campaigns, the surprise upsets. But never before have I seen our political landscape reduced to mere entertainment. For 24 hours, the media relentlessly asked if I was pleased with a comparison, and I remained silent. But now, as someone who’s lived through the highs and lows of political life, I feel compelled to speak out.

Instead, he admitted, “I’m concerned that we’ve reached a point where carefully crafted appearances and pre-planned stories are all that’s left of our reality.”

In his article, Ianucci criticizes the rapid spread of news, observing how the attempt on former President Trump’s life was soon transformed into a meme. This prompted Ianucci to express his views on the Republican National Convention. He asserts that the Republican presidential candidate emerged as a resurrected Trump, who dismissed death with ease and arrogance, insinuating that while Biden appeared to be nearing his end, Trump may have been invulnerable.

The renowned British satirist, screenwriter, and filmmaker (known for “In The Loop,” “The Death of Stalin,” “The Personal History of David Copperfield,” and “Avenue 5”) described the RNC as an occasion that seemed to herald the return of President Trump, be it his second coming or third, depending on who believes his previous comeback in 2020 was legitimate or not.

After that, he enquires, “What’s the deal here? The current situation outside is more chaotic than a ‘Veep’ episode and carries grave consequences.”

As a gamer, I’d put it this way: “These in-game scenarios aren’t just make-believe; they mirror real-life outcomes. Winning means progress towards saving the planet from climate change or succumbing to its effects. It’s about ensuring America’s justice system serves its people fairly, not just the wealthy few. And crucially, it determines whether women retain control over their bodies or face judgement based on someone else’s whims.”

I can’t ignore the significance of the upcoming election and the potential implications it holds. Wary of the possibility of tech moguls like Elon Musk aligning with controversial narratives, as we saw in the UK election where Labour Party secured a landslide victory, I caution against America’s reality being overshadowed by an exaggerated spectacle disguised as an election. Instead, what we might witness is a multimedia event, a heightened performance piece that gets disseminated and manipulated across social platforms. It’s re-edited, infused with conspiracy theories, and blanketed with manipulated footage before resurfacing on your last remaining sane aunt’s media feed.

As a long-time fan of “The West Wing” and “Veep,” I’ve always been intrigued by the behind-the-scenes stories of these brilliant political comedies. And this week, I was absolutely thrilled to read The Hollywood Reporter’s interview with David Mandel, the showrunner of “Veep” for its final three seasons.

I had an opportunity to chat with the Guardian last Friday, and in a more playful tone than the infamous Meyer-Trump comparisons we used to make on our show before it ended, I shared my thoughts on how some people are starting to draw parallels between Meyer and Harris.

Ianucci clarified, “I don’t want people to assume Selina is based on Harris. However, comparisons are unavoidable due to their similar careers. Selina was once a senator, like Harris, and later transitioned into a position with limited power. We used this situation for comedic purposes because of the intriguing ‘so close yet so far’ dynamic.”

He also shared insight into why they centered the comedy on a VP.

During the production of our show, Joe Biden served as Vice President. A member of his team shared with us an insight about the vice-presidency: firstly, they often believe they could have done a better job than the president; secondly, they are aware that when they exit a room, people may make light of their absence. Al Gore once confided in us that he had discovered there was a high-profile Hollywood event taking place at the White House, but he wasn’t on the guest list. Unable to inquire about the list for fear of appearing desperate, he opted to make other arrangements instead.

Towards a more optimistic outlook, he expressed feeling the excitement among Harris’ supporters who yearn for a change. Notably, on Thursday, ex-President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama endorsed Harris, offering significant backing from the Democratic camp. By July 22, Harris had secured sufficient state delegate endorsements, making her the presumptive Democratic Party nominee. In just a short time, she has ignited immense enthusiasm within the Democrats and shattered fundraising records, amassing an impressive $200 million through ActBlue since July 21.

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2024-07-26 18:55