Veep (season 4)

The fourth season of the American political comedy television series Veep premiered on April 12, 2015, on HBO in the United States. It consists of ten episodes each running approximately 28 minutes. The season's showrunner and series creator Armando Iannucci exited at the conclusion of the season.[1]

Veep
Season 4
Official promotional poster
Starring
Country of originUnited States
No. of episodes10
Release
Original networkHBO
Original releaseApril 12 (2015-04-12) –
June 14, 2015 (2015-06-14)
Season chronology

Season four follows Selina Meyer in the role of President after her predecessor steps down to care for his wife. She attempts to pass a landmark bill supporting working mothers while navigating her presidential campaign, overseen by top campaign manager Bill Ericsson, portrayed by Diedrich Bader. Two of her staffers, Amy and Dan, abruptly exit the White House and begin work as lobbyists. Eventually, Selina is forced to choose a new running mate when Andrew Doyle unexpectedly drops out of the role. She chooses Senator Tom James, played by Hugh Laurie, whose popularity and political machinations come to irk her. After a campaign data breach puts her in jeopardy, Selina's team scapegoats Ericsson. The season finale centers on the night of the election, which concludes with an electoral college tie between Selina and her opponent, Senator Bill O'Brien.[2]

The season received critical acclaim and was assigned a 90/100 on Metacritic.[3] It received five Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series, the second premium cable series to win the award. Julia Louis-Dreyfus received her fourth Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Veep, and Tony Hale received his second Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.

Plot

The fourth season follows Selina Meyer stepping into the role of president after President Hughes steps down to take care of his depressed wife. Selina's staffers' incompetence ruins her first State of the Union address by failing to load her completed speech on the teleprompter. She is determined to author a bill that will benefit working moms called Families First, although her team advises against it.[4]

Gary struggles with his reduced role as Selina's bag man. Selina confronts Gary for ordering expensive decorations for a state dinner, and they reconcile after a screaming argument.[5]

Her vice president, Andrew Doyle hires a chief of staff, Teddy, who continually sexually harasses Jonah. Jonah eventually reports the behavior and Teddy is fired.[5]

Meanwhile, Amy manages Selina's presidential campaign in an unofficial capacity, and is frustrated when Selina hires the best political campaign manager in Washington, Bill Ericsson. Her campaign catches negative press attention after a data breach reveals the identity of an HIV-positive elementary school student. First a White House aide, Leigh, and then Dan are fired as scapegoats for the data breach. Dan goes to work for Sidney Purcell at a consulting firm.[6][2]

When Andrew Doyle unexpectedly bows out of her ticket at the party's political convention, Selina's team scrambles to find a new running mate. Amy quits in frustration because of Selina's equivocating friend and new adviser, Karen Collins. After Amy leaves, Selina heeds her suggestion to ask Tom James to be her running mate. It is later revealed that Selina previously had romantic feelings for Tom. Dan gets Amy a job at his consulting firm, but Amy has difficulty managing her anger about her time in the White House.[6]

After Selina's team successfully convinces her that the Families First bill is too big a political liability, they scramble to get the votes needed to make sure it will fail. A flu-ridden Selina directs their activities while sick in bed. Gary publicly meets with Dan and Amy and agrees to pay them to lobby against the bill. The episode "Testimony" depicts the staffers undergoing congressional hearings regarding the campaign's data breach, during which they each scapegoat Bill Ericsson. Selina takes steps to end Catherine's engagement to Jason, a 35-year-old political consultant.[6]

The season finale ("Election Night") follows Selina and her team on election night. Jonah and Richard manage the Meyer-James rally, and Jonah turns his debacle with Teddy into a testicular health awareness campaign. Her running mate, Tom James, requests that she make him Treasury Secretary in addition to Vice President if they win. After poor results prompt Selina to nearly concede, she and O'Brien tie for electoral college votes (269 each), which triggers the 20th Amendment and an impending vote by the House of Representatives. The episode discusses the possibility that in the case of another tie, the vice president of the Senate would become President, who happens to be her running mate, Tom James.[5][6]

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Episodes
See also: List of Veep episodes
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
291"Joint Session"Chris AddisonStory by : Armando Iannucci & Simon Blackwell & Georgia Pritchett
Teleplay by : Simon Blackwell & Georgia Pritchett		April 12, 2015 (2015-04-12)1.05[7]
Twenty-four hours before Selina's first major speech as President, her staff frantically tries to work out how she can say two completely opposite things (cuts in the military/spending on the Families First bill) at the same time. But just before the speech begins, everything falls apart. The staff adjusts to their new roles in the White House: Gary questions his worth now that he can no longer be close to Selina. Jonah is put off by the hands-on approach of the new VP's chief of staff, Teddy. Amy learns that Bill Ericsson, a rival campaign manager, may make a play for her job. Mike is trying to be healthy.
302"East Wing"Stephanie LaingStory by : Armando Iannucci & Kevin Cecil & Roger Drew & Andy Riley
Teleplay by : Kevin Cecil & Roger Drew & Andy Riley		April 19, 2015 (2015-04-19)0.99[8]
The president's staff prepares for her state visit with the Israeli prime minister. Mike tries out a new look for his more visible role. Teddy does Jonah a favor, while continuing to invade his personal space. Dan and Jonah are participating in Families First talks. Stuck in traffic with Richard, Amy learns via FaceTime that Selina is bringing in Bill Ericsson. Gary goes overboard while planning the state dinner for the Israeli delegation, and a painting in the White House comes under the spotlight. Kent helps Catherine with her likeability. Richard becomes Jonah's assistant.
313"Data"Becky MartinStory by : Armando Iannucci & Simon Blackwell & Neil Gibbons & Rob Gibbons
Teleplay by : Simon Blackwell & Neil Gibbons & Rob Gibbons		April 26, 2015 (2015-04-26)0.98[9]
When the personal details of a previously anonymous girl mentioned by the President are leaked, Selina's team tries to find a scapegoat for the data breach; first Lee, then Dan. Catherine tells Selina she wants to support an anti-bullying campaign. Dan tasks Jonah and Richard with buying fireworks for a campaign rally. While Mike is about to make the dreadful error of announcing the wrong scapegoat at a press conference, the President hosts the annual Easter Egg Roll and reads a story to the assembled kids.
324"Tehran"Becky MartinStory by : Armando Iannucci & Ian Martin & Tony Roche
Teleplay by : Ian Martin & Tony Roche		May 3, 2015 (2015-05-03)0.98[10]
Selina goes to Iran to free detained American reporter Leon West; Dan finds new work at Sidney Purcell's offices after being fired from the White House; Gary and Mike panic as they realize they've been left at the airport in Tehran. Doyle stands in for the president at an LGBTQ+ event; Kent's polling may cause trouble for Selina. Catherine gets engaged to Jason and Selina brings in a new Senior advisor, Karen Collins.
335"Convention"Stephanie LaingStory by : Armando Iannucci & Sean Gray & David Quantick
Teleplay by : Sean Gray & David Quantick		May 10, 2015 (2015-05-10)0.82[11]
Hours before the Party Convention, Selina struggles to find a replacement as Doyle announces he's leaving the ticket, but ultimately chooses Tom James. Meanwhile, Dan recruits Jonah and Richard to pose as influential Washington insiders. Amy is angry with the president's new advisor. Karen gets fired.
346"Storms and Pancakes"Chris AddisonStory by : Armando Iannucci & Georgia Pritchett & Will Smith
Teleplay by : Georgia Pritchett & Will Smith		May 17, 2015 (2015-05-17)0.74[12]
Selina is worried when Tom James, her running mate, unknowingly takes her spotlight on the campaign trail due to his popularity; Amy, still bitter from her experience with Selina, gets a job working with Dan and Jonah gets ambushed in a 'job interview'. Selina travels to the wrong state during a hurricane.
357"Mommy Meyer"Becky MartinStory by : Armando Iannucci & Roger Drew and David Quantick
Teleplay by : Roger Drew and David Quantick		May 24, 2015 (2015-05-24)0.98[13]
Selina prepares for a night with some of her old colleagues; Tom accidentally stirs trouble after a shooting in Pittsburgh; Amy and Dan lobby for the concrete industry; An intruder breaks into the White House. Mike tries to sell the press on Selina's Families First bill and because of the intruder, becomes a laughing stock; Jonah and Richard inadvertently reveal the secret of the other data breach in the 'I Care' campaign mails. Ben, Kent, Bill, Mike and Tom James have their weekly Friday night drinks, this time with Richard and Jonah.
368"B/ill"Becky MartinStory by : Armando Iannucci & Tony Roche & Andy Riley & Kevin Cecil
Teleplay by : Tony Roche & Andy Riley & Kevin Cecil		May 31, 2015 (2015-05-31)0.99[14]
In order to get their bill to fail, the staff tries to get Representatives to vote against it; Selina must work while sick in bed; Gary accidentally gets everyone involved in illegal activity, because he sets up a secret meeting with Dan and Amy to persuade them to lobby against the Families First bill in exchange for money.
379"Testimony"Armando IannucciStory by : Sean Gray & Armando Iannucci & Will Smith
Teleplay by : Sean Gray & Will Smith		June 7, 2015 (2015-06-07)0.91[15]
The staff gives their testimony to find out who exactly was responsible for the two data breaches (HIV girl/campaign mailer) and the lobbying against the Families First Bill. Ultimately, Bill Ericsson is scapegoated; the 'Jonad Files' and the inappropriate touching are explored; Jason and Catherine break up.
3810"Election Night"Chris AddisonStory by : Simon Blackwell & Armando Iannucci & Tony Roche
Teleplay by : Simon Blackwell & Tony Roche		June 14, 2015 (2015-06-14)1.11[16]
On Election Night, Selina and her staff find their nerves growing frayed as each state result is called. Amy and Dan are on TV discussing the presidential race; Karen Collins returns. Tom James wants to be made Treasury Secretary. Jonah and Richard work at the Meyer-James Rally. Selina is about to concede as the election is tied.

Production

The series creator Armando Iannucci departed as showrunner at the end of the season, "citing the toll producing a series in the U.S. has taken on Iannucci and his London-based family."[6] Additional executive producers for the season were Christopher Godsick, Frank Rich, Chris Addison, Becky Martin, Stephanie Laing, Simon Blackwell, Tony Roche, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.[17]

Iannucci is credited as story co-writer for every episode. Directors for the season included Addison, Martin, Laing, and Iannucci.

Release

The first episode of the season aired on April 12, 2015, on HBO and new episodes aired every Sunday until its finale on June 14, 2015.

Reception

Season four of Veep received critical acclaim. It received a 90/100 on review aggregator Metacritic,[3] and a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes with the critical consensus: "Veep shows no signs of slowing down in its fourth season, thanks to sharp, funny, rapid-fire dialogue between POTUS and her hilariously incompetent staff."[18]

Departing creator and showrunner Armando Iannucci was praised for the season by Newsweek, who called it the "funniest season yet."[4] The acting and writing were received well, as in The Hollywood Reporter's review by Tim Goodman: "Veep enters its fourth season firmly established as one of television's best comedies, and then immediately does what seems impossible: It delivers its most thoroughly assured, hilarious and brilliantly written and acted episodes."[19]

Matt Zoller Seitz wrote in Vulture of the titular character's acting: "Louis-Dreyfus is her usual Swiss-watch self, so confident that she seems to glide through her scenes."[5] The comedic duo of Louis-Dreyfus and Tony Hale was also applauded; Ben Travers described them in IndieWire: "The duo’s chemistry continues to drive entire episodes with a few short moments, and if they’re kept apart too long, the rest of the team is there to fill gaps faster than you can spot them."[2]

In a less positive review, Variety's Brian Lowry wrote "The series also remains a bit too precious in sidestepping issues of partisanship, a conceit that has grown somewhat more tolerable over time."[20] David Hinckley of the New York Daily News also noted, "if you don't find awkward funny, you won't get "Veep.""[21]

Veep was called the most accurate depiction of American politics by Dan Pfeiffer for Grantland, who stated that the show captures "the humanity, the banality, and the absurdity" of Washington D.C.[22] He further stated: "The fact that real-life Washington loves the show but often doesn’t seem to truly get the joke may be the show’s most devastating critique of all."[22]

Awards and nominations
67th Primetime Emmy Awards
Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
Outstanding Comedy SeriesArmando Iannucci, Christopher Godsick, Frank Rich, Chris Addison, Simon Blackwell, Tony Roche, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Stephanie Laing, Kevin Cecil, Roger Drew, Sean Gray, Ian Martin, Georgia Pritchett, David Quantick, Andy Riley, Will Smith and Bill HillWon[23]
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Julia Louis-DreyfusWon[23]
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy SeriesTony HaleWon[23]
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Anna ChlumskyNominated[23]
Outstanding Writing in a Comedy SeriesSimon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, and Tony Roche for "Election Night"Nominated[23]
Outstanding Directing for a Comedy SeriesArmando Iannucci for "Testimony"Won[23]
Outstanding Casting for a Comedy SeriesAllison Jones, Pat Moran, and Meredith TuckerWon[23]
Outstanding Art Direction for a Contemporary Program (Half-Hour or less)Jim Gloster, Production Designer; E. David Cosier, Art Director; Jennifer Engel, Set DecoratorNominated[23]
Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (Half-Hour) and AnimationBill MacPherson and Richard DaveyNominated[23]
Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Comedy Series Chris Addison for "Election" Won [24]
Critics' Choice Television Award Best Actress in a Comedy Series Julia Louis-Dreyfus Nominated [25]
Best Comedy Series Veep Nominated
Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Tony Hale Nominated
Golden Globe Awards Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy Julia Louis-Dreyfus Nominated [26]
Producers Guild of America Awards Episodic Television Series – Comedy Armando Iannucci, Chris Addison, Simon Blackwell, Christopher Godsick, Stephanie Laing, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Frank Rich, Tony Roche, Kevin Cecil, Roger Drew, Sean Gray, Ian Martin, Georgia Pritchett, David Quantick, Andy Riley, Will Smith, and Bill Hill Nominated [27]
Satellite Awards Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy Julia Louis-Dreyfus Nominated [28]
Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy Veep Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series Julia Louis-Dreyfus Nominated [29]
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Diedrich Bader, Sufe Bradshaw, Anna Chlumsky, Gary Cole, Kevin Dunn, Tony Hale, Hugh Laurie, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Phil Reeves, Sam Richardson, Reid Scott, Timothy Simons, Sarah Sutherland, and Matt Walsh Nominated
Television Critics Association Awards Individual Achievement in Comedy Julia Louis-Dreyfus Nominated [30]
Writers Guild of America Awards Best Episodic Comedy Veep for "Joint Session" Nominated [31]
Best Comedy Series Veep Won

References
  1. Moraes, Lisa de (April 14, 2015). "'Veep' Viewership Grows In Season 4 Bow". Deadline. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  2. Travers, Ben (April 8, 2015). "Review: 'Veep' Season 4 Proves Holding Power Can Be as Hysterical as Craving It". IndieWire. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  3. "Veep: Season 4". Metacritic. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  4. Thurm, Eric (June 15, 2015). "Review: 'Veep' Season 4 and the Limits of Checks and Balances". Newsweek. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  5. Zoller-Seitz, Matt (September 4, 2015). "Veep Season 4 Review: The President's Flying Monkeys". Vulture. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  6. Anderson, Kyle (June 15, 2015). "'Veep' recap: 'Election Night'". EW.com. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
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  11. Bibel, Sara (May 12, 2015). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Game of Thrones' Wins Night, NBA Playoffs, 'Silicon Valley', 'Mad Men', 'The Royals', 'Veep' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 14, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
  12. Kondolojy, Amanda (May 19, 2015). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Game of Thrones' Tops Night + 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians', 'Mad Men' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 21, 2015. Retrieved May 19, 2015.
  13. Bibel, Sara (May 27, 2015). "Sunday Cable Ratings: NBA Conference Finals Win Night, 'Game of Thrones', 'Silicon Valley', 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians', 'Veep' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 27, 2015. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  14. Kondolojy, Amanda (June 2, 2015). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Game of Thrones' Tops Night + 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians', 'Silicon Valley', 'Naked and Afraid' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on June 3, 2015. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  15. Bibel, Sara (June 9, 2015). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Game of Thrones' Wins Night, 'Silicon Valley', 'Naked & Afraid', 'Married to Medicine', 'Veep' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on June 10, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  16. Kondolojy, Amanda (June 16, 2015). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Game of Thrones' Tops Night + 'Silicon Valley', NASCAR, 'Botched' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on June 17, 2015. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
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  21. Hinckley, David (April 7, 2015). "'Veep' review: Julia Louis-Dreyfus and team take humor to a higher level at the White House". New York Daily News. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  22. Pfeiffer, Dan (June 12, 2015). "In the Loop: A Presidential Adviser Explains Why 'Veep' Is Our Greatest Political Show". Grantland. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  23. "Emmy Award Winners 2015 – Full List". Variety. September 20, 2015. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  24. Petski, Denise (February 7, 2016). "DGA Awards: Alejandro G. Iñárritu Wins Feature Film Award For 'The Revenant'; HBO Cleans Up With Wins For 'Game Of Thrones', 'Veep' & 'Bessie' – Full List". Deadline. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  25. Mitovich, Matt Webb (May 31, 2015). "Critics' Choice Television Awards: HBO, Better Call Saul, Taraji P. Henson and Amy Schumer Among Big Winners". TVLine. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  26. "Julia Louis-Dreyfus". GoldenGlobes.com. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  27. McNary, Dave (November 23, 2015). "'Amy,' 'The Hunting Ground' Nominated for Producers Guild's Documentary Award". Variety. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  28. "Veep". International Press Academy. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
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  31. McNary, Dave (February 14, 2016). "WGA Honors 'Big Short,' 'Spotlight,' 'Mad Men' at 68th Awards". Variety. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
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