The beloved HBO political comedy Veep came together for a special reunion fundraiser on September 30, 2024, drawing over 20,000 fans and raising an impressive $735,000 to support the campaigns of Vice President Kamala Harris and gubernatorial candidate Tim Walz. The virtual event featured a live table read of the iconic Season 3 episode “Crate,” where Selina Meyer, portrayed by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, learns of her unexpected ascent to the presidency.
A Night of Laughter and Political Satire
The evening kicked off with a cheeky disclaimer delivered by Gary Cole, who played Kent Davidson on the show: “No dogs or cats were eaten during the making of this program.” This playful jab was a nod to a similar line from Saturday Night Live, aimed at Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
The introductions continued with Matt Walsh, who portrayed press secretary Mike McLintock, stumbling humorously through his speech. “Many people assume that Kamala Harris is Selina Meyer,” he joked, before clarifying, “I’m here to say she 100 percent is… not.” The playful banter set the tone for the night, allowing fans to indulge in a blend of nostalgia and political commentary that is synonymous with Veep.
Table Read and Celebrity Cameos
The highlight of the event was the complete table read of the episode “Crate,” which, given the current political landscape, felt more relevant than ever. The storyline revolves around Meyer discovering she will become president due to the current president’s resignation—an ironic twist considering the real-world political climate.
The star-studded cast included Tony Hale, Anna Chlumsky, Reid Scott, Timothy Simons, Sam Richardson, Sarah Sutherland, Clea DuVall, and Sufe Bradshaw. In a delightful twist, several special guests stepped in for various roles, including Larry David, Jason Alexander, Kevin Smith, Kumail Nanjiani, and surprise guest Patton Oswalt.
Host Stephen Colbert guided the audience through Q&A sessions with the Veep creators and real-life Wisconsin politicians, fostering an atmosphere of engagement that kept fans invested throughout the nearly two-hour event.
The Fundraising Impact
According to the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, which hosted the event, the $735,000 raised will play a crucial role in supporting their efforts to secure victory in the pivotal 2024 election. Ben Wikler, Chair of WisDems, highlighted the significance of this fundraiser, especially as Harris and Trump are currently neck-and-neck in Wisconsin polls, with Harris leading by just a slim margin of 1 to 2 points.
The funds will be instrumental in mobilizing voters and enhancing outreach efforts as the election approaches. During the event, it was announced that donations would continue to be accepted at wisdems.org/veep throughout the week, allowing fans to gain access to a replay link of the event and participate in an ongoing auction of exclusive items.
The Legacy of Veep
Veep has made a lasting impact on political satire, especially after the show’s end in 2019. The series often drew uncanny parallels to real-world politics, and with the recent resurgence of interest—particularly following President Biden’s endorsement of Vice President Harris—Veep comparisons are more pertinent than ever.
During the Q&A, creator Armando Iannucci reflected on whether Veep could make a return in today’s political climate. “It depends who wins,” he noted, acknowledging that the landscape has shifted dramatically. He pointed out that the satire of Veep thrived on the notion that politicians might be held accountable for their actions—a premise that feels tenuous in today’s environment.
“If there was an episode of Veep filmed about Trump, when he does, ‘They’re eating the dogs! They’re eating the dogs!’ during a presidential debate, the staff would probably just shrug and say, ‘Yeah, whatever,’” Iannucci observed, highlighting the evolution of political discourse.
The End of the Night
The reunion concluded with a classic tradition: the introduction of new Jonah Insults, a series of hilariously outrageous insults directed at Simons’ character, Jonah Ryan. With contributions from Iannucci and Oswalt, the cast delivered laugh-out-loud barbs that had everyone in stitches, including creative jabs like “TwatGPT” and “face circumcised.”
Conclusion
The Veep reunion fundraiser not only entertained fans but also significantly bolstered efforts to support Harris and Walz in the upcoming election. With political satire that remains both timely and relevant, Veep continues to resonate with audiences while demonstrating the power of comedy to effect change.
As donations continue to flow in, fans of the show and the political landscape alike are reminded that humor, community engagement, and a bit of irreverence can go a long way in the pursuit of a better future.
