“Veep” used to present a heightened version of our political climate. Now our political climate seems like a caricature of “Veep.” So, obviously, we couldn’t be happier to see Selina Meyer (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) snarling at her staff again in Season 6's newly-released teaser.
As you’ll remember, the last season of the comedy series saw President Meyer facing off against her VP pick, Tom James (Hugh Laurie), who was angling for the Oval Office through some esoteric constitutional loopholes. That crack plan blew up in his face and Laura Montez (Andrea Savage), the other party’s VP nominee, ended up being sworn in as the next Commander in Chief.
Yes, this fictional universe has seen two female presidents. Let’s all take a moment and acknowledge again the crazy world we’re living in.
As the new “Veep” teaser reveals, Selina isn’t exactly retired. She’s booking speaking engagements, meeting with other foreign leaders, and continuing to torment poor Gary (Tony Hale). “This is my second act,” she announces. “Selina Meyer travels the globe spreading democracy like Patient Zero.”
The clip gives us glimpses of Richard (Sam Richardson) and Mike (Matt Walsh), but the rest of the Meyer team is nowhere in sight. Since Selina no longer holds public office, it’s possible that Amy (Anna Chlumsky), Dan (Reid Scott), Kent (Gary Cole), Sue (Sufe Bradshaw), and Ben (Kevin Dunn) will have a smaller role from now on. We hope that’s not the case because the complex, ever-evolving relationship between Selina and Amy is one of the best depictions of women work colleagues in pop culture.
Selina might be out of the White House but neither she nor the show has quite lost its edge — or pessimism. Our anti-heroine compares her status as an ex-president to being a man’s nipple and is still at the mercy of misogyny, despite holding the highest office in the U.S. “I was the first female president,” she yells in frustration, “and I will not work for less than 87 cents on the dollar.” Collecting herself, Selina adds, “And tell ’em I’ll stand at a glass podium and wear a short skirt.”
“Veep” returns for it sixth season April 16 on HBO.
