Julia Louis-Dreyfus Comments On Big Plans

There’s some exciting buzz in the entertainment and political worlds as Julia Louis-Dreyfus, best known for her role as Selina Meyer in the hit HBO series Veep, is reportedly gearing up to be “extra-involved” in the campaign to elect Kamala Harris as President.

In a recent interview with The Times of London, Louis-Dreyfus hinted at her increased involvement, possibly even attending the Democratic National Convention in Chicago later this month.

For those unfamiliar, Veep was a political satire that aired from 2012 to 2019, where Louis-Dreyfus played a hilariously incompetent fictional vice president, Selina Meyer.

Since Harris became the presumptive Democratic nominee, the show has seen a resurgence in popularity, with viewers drawing comparisons between the fictional Meyer and Harris. This has led to some playful but pointed commentary, especially from those critical of Harris, who have dubbed some of her speeches as “word salads” reminiscent of Meyer’s chaotic style.

Despite the humor and comparisons, Louis-Dreyfus made it clear that she believes these parallels aren’t entirely fair or accurate. In the interview, she acknowledged the renewed interest in her character but emphasized that Harris is far more competent and intelligent than Meyer ever was.

Louis-Dreyfus humorously noted that if Selina Meyer were to offer Harris any advice, the VP would be wise to ignore it entirely. She also touched on the issue of gender in politics, stating that female candidates like Harris face harsher scrutiny, a reality that Veep often satirized.

Interestingly, the series creator, Armando Iannucci, also weighed in, rejecting the idea that Selina Meyer was modeled after any real-life politicians, including Harris. Iannucci stressed that Veep was a fictional show not intended to mirror specific political figures, although he appreciates that the series is being re-watched in today’s political climate.

Since President Biden’s recent decision to step aside in the 2024 race, paving the way for Harris, viewership of Veep has skyrocketed, with a reported 353% increase for its first season on HBO Max. It seems that the blend of comedy and politics is resonating with audiences as the 2024 campaign season heats up.

Louis-Dreyfus has a history of political activism and previously hosted the final night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, albeit to mixed reviews from conservative commentators. This time around, her involvement in Harris’s campaign could bring a fresh dose of energy and celebrity appeal to the race.