[Mikey_]

But it's NOT The Thick Of It. It's Veep.
Stop looking for comparisons and differences and enjoy it for what it is.

[dsrichard]

Originally Posted by Mikey_

But it's NOT The Thick Of It. It's Veep.
Stop looking for comparisons and differences and enjoy it for what it is.

Yes, that's the point we're making. We're not enjoying it for what it is. And we're giving point of reference to try to explain why. Other points of reference would be Curb Your Enthusiasm and Arrested Development. Both great. So from my side, my growing ambivalence towards Veep isn't based on anti-American sentiment.

Of course we don't *have* to watch it but then if we weren't watching it we wouldn't be able to contribute to a discussion in this forum on the reasons why it's working for us or not. But if it continues like it's doing then I'll drop it shortly and leave the thread to those who only praise it.

[QuincyMD]

The fake dog is the best thing about it.

[breppo]

The "Jesus has risen" comment at the end of ep. 3 was hilarious.

[LostFool]

I don't know whether this is getting better or if I'm lowering my expectations but I've enjoyed the last few episodes more and it could be settling down to a watchable, if not fantastic, series.

[not_the_doctor]

I just watched episode 6, and although I think the show has improved marginally from the first episode, I just can't convince myself it's actually any good. JLD is excellent, but the writing is predictable and uninspired, and I want to punch the entire useless supporting cast.

[redandwhiterob]

Is there any plans for this to be shown on British TV?

[derek500]

Originally Posted by redandwhiterob

Is there any plans for this to be shown on British TV?

Sky Atlantic, next month I believe.

[dsrichard]

I've had this on in the background. I don't know why.

It's just rubbish. Unbelievable that it's the same creative team as The Thick of It. Really unbelievable.

Also, that it's a comedy on HBO. Inconceivable.

These performers just can't carry off this style. Bah.

[LostFool]

There's a gem of a good idea behind Veep but the implementation isn't good. The casting, writing, direction and acting all all off. If it's to survive then it needs major reworking.

[doom&gloom]

No doubt Armando Ianucci can get a "My Hollywood Nightmare" article out of it for The Guardian, or even a book if he's lucky.

[wildyounghearts]

Originally Posted by LostFool

There's a gem of a good idea behind Veep but the implementation isn't good. The casting, writing, direction and acting all all off. If it's to survive then it needs major reworking.

It got an early renewal back in April with an extra two episodes

http://www.starpulse.com/news/Fred_T...or_second_seas

And it looks like Julia Louis Dreyfus will get an Emmy nomination so doubt HBO are too worried

I enjoyed it

[dsrichard]

Originally Posted by wildyounghearts

It got an early renewal back in April with an extra two episodes

http://www.starpulse.com/news/Fred_T...or_second_seas

And it looks like Julia Louis Dreyfus will get an Emmy nomination so doubt HBO are too worried

I enjoyed it

I know. I just wonder what Amando really thinks of it.

All sorts of shows get renewed for different reasons - especially on cable - so that's not necessarily the yardstick.

It's just that it was one of the two new shows this year that I was looking forward to (the other being Sorkin's The Newsroom) based on the history of the creative team.

I find it difficult to believe that they consider this good work.

[LostFool]

Originally Posted by doom&gloom

No doubt Armando Ianucci can get a "My Hollywood Nightmare" article out of it for The Guardian, or even a book if he's lucky.

Maybe he could write a comedy series about the difficulty of taking a successful British TV format to the US... oh hang on, that's already been done.

I'll be back for the second series. It just needs some reworking. Apart from Amy and the twerp from the Oval Office who is quite funny, I'd get rid of all of the other supporting cast.

[dsrichard]

It occurs to me that all of the cast can be replaced given that the show is about the office and not the person.

I don't know. There's a positive interview with Julia in The Guardian at the moment. (Thinks... Is it The Telegraph. Better check.) So it's being well thought of.

General consensus on here though is that it's disappointing. That's my position anyway.

[Sandgrownun]

It's quite good, well it has it's moments anyway. Strangely I think there are far funnier scenes in The West Wing than in VEEP. I did quite enjoy it though and will watch season 2.

[doom&gloom]

Read an interview with Armando about the show yesterday, apparently there isn't as much swearing in it as The Thick of It, maybe that's why it's not so good, would The Thick of It be any good without Malcolm and his creative cursing? Don't think so.

[LostFool]

some articles in the papers:

Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012...-veep-hbo-show

Indy:
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-en...e-7669171.html

Telegraph
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/t...ccis-Veep.html