NBC’s The Office proved that even an ordinary workplace can become a vibrant, emotionally resonant comedy. That premise has influenced countless workplace sitcoms, but HBO’s Veep carried it to its most ambitious extreme, placing the familiar dynamics of office politics against the high stakes of American government and international affairs. The series ran for seven seasons and 65 episodes from 2012 to 2019, earning major awards and sustained critical acclaim. Yet it has never achieved the same level of mainstream recognition as The Office.
The Office benefited from airing in the network-TV era, when HBO was less widely available than it is today. The rise of streaming has narrowed that gap and made HBO’s catalog easier to discover, while network sitcoms have faced increasing pressure. As a result, The Office became one of the defining binge-watch comfort shows of the 2020s, but Veep now has a stronger opportunity to reach viewers who may have missed it during its original run.
Veep Expanded the Workplace Comedy Formula
Image via HBOVeep stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer, who enters the series as vice president of the United States. The comedy centers on the political staff surrounding her, including chief of staff Amy Brookheimer (Anna Chlumsky), personal aide Gary Walsh (Tony Hale), deputy director of communications Dan Egan (Reid Scott), White House liaison Jonah Ryan (Timothy Simons), director of communications Mike McLintock (Matt Walsh), and secretary Sue Wilson (Sufe Bradshaw). By combining political intrigue with the rhythms of an ensemble workplace sitcom, the show offered a sharp and distinct variation on a format that was flourishing when it premiered.
The Office became the defining workplace comedy of the 21st century and helped inspire a wave of workplace sitcoms, including Parks & Recreation, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and Superstore. Veep distinguished itself with a darker satirical voice, faster dialogue, and the production values associated with HBO. Its compact season structure may have limited its immediate accessibility, but it also gave each storyline a concentrated, propulsive pace.
Just as Steve Carell‘s performance as Michael Scott defined The Office, Louis-Dreyfus’s portrayal of Selina Meyer anchored Veep. Although an elected official faces very different pressures from a fictional office manager, she brought comparable chaos, insecurity, and vulnerability to the role. Her performance made Selina deeply flawed yet compelling enough to root for. Selina also provided a prominent fictional example of a woman pursuing power and navigating the institutions of modern American politics—an image that remains culturally resonant years after the series ended.
Veep Earned Acclaim Without Becoming a Binge-Watch Staple
Image via HBOVeep‘s success is undeniable. The series won 17 Emmy Awards, and Louis-Dreyfus earned a record six for her performance. A critical favorite during and after its run, it has appeared on numerous lists of the greatest sitcoms and television shows of all time. Its ratings remained relatively strong by current standards, even as viewership declined most noticeably in Season 6, and the show maintained enough support to receive home-media releases across all seven seasons and sustain an online fan community.
Streaming has largely removed the accessibility barriers that once limited Veep‘s reach, particularly its shorter seasons. With 65 episodes, it also offers a substantial catalog compared with many acclaimed series. The show may never displace The Office as the default comfort-watch choice, but it deserves far more regular attention. Selina Meyer belongs in the same company as Michael Scott, Leslie Knope, and Liz Lemon as one of television’s most memorable workplace-comedy leads.
