In April 2012, HBO decided to take the world by storm by releasing their comedy series called Veep.
In April 2012, HBO decided to take the world by storm by releasing their comedy series called Veep. For those who are still living under a rock, Veep is essentially a satirical look at the sordid side of the world of politics. It mainly focuses on the political and personal life of Selina Meyer, played by highly reputable Julia Louis-Dreyfus, as she makes desperate endeavors to get into the White House.
From the get-go of its premise, one can already predict that the series will have countless unlikable characters. The thing which sets it apart from the rest is that it does shy away from airing out the dirty laundry of the people it centers around. Though there might be characters that show a sheer moment of kindness, that lasts only a second, the characters mostly are downright horrendous. Therefore, here are all the major characters of Veep ranked, from most to least likable.
Even though Splett wasn't on the show since the beginning, the very fact that he is the most likable character on the list, shows how lovable he just was. He is an example of a political person who can still make it far in the lion's den known as politics, despite having a pure heart. He was introduced on the show as an incompetent individual from Selina's political campaign prior to climbing into the inner circle. He is just easy to root for due to his easy-going nature, which acts as a breath of fresh air among all the vicious cruel politicians. In a world where everyone is looking for moments to make each other fall, Splett remains unguarded and honest. He is one of the rare people that even Selina really likes and treats nicely, which in itself is an accomplishment.
Without a doubt, no one on this show is as faithful to Selina as her bagman, Gary Walsh, played by Tony Hale. Walsh is the only person who is always there for Selina through thick and thin. There is no doubt in admitting that he is a man who is very hard not to love, if only Selina felt the same way as she severely mistreats him. Despite all the mistreatment, he is still kind and extremely helpful. Tony Hale did such an impressive job portraying this pathetic yet lovable man that he was able to win Emmys twice for his remarkable character.
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As the last name suggests, Catherine Meyers is Selina's daughter. Despite being an only child, she didn't receive much love from her mom. Since she was a little girl, Catherine has been appalled by the things Selina does just to make advances in her career. Throughout the show, the audience sees her trying to guide her mother into making moral choices, even if they lead to nothing. In season three, episode three, she finally blows up at her mother, calling her out for her actions because her mother's negligence led her to live a very miserable and lonely life. In fact, she is so deeply wronged by her own mother's actions, that she never reconciles even after Selina passes away.
In Selina's world, Kent is one of the few immensely talented political personalities. While he is capable and shrewd to make cold decisions, he isn't that terrible. Though his Noodle analogy concerning the hostage situation in season two seems unsettling at first, it somehow makes sense as Kent's existence is all about numbers. He is much more of a machine than a human and looks at life in just facts and figures. Though he can be quite blunt and emotionless while dealing with people at times, one can also see he never had an evil intention behind them. Furthermore, occasionally, the audience sees a more humane side to him when he advises Selina to not pick Jonah Ryan as running mate, despite Selina being Kent’s opposing party.
Dan Egan is truly one of the most terrible people on the show. He is just a downright horrendous Washington politician who is simply trying to ruin as many people's lives as he can while making an ascend in his career. Dan, regardless of being extremely handsome, is extremely punch-able due to his huge ego. While he is selfish, rude, and extremely misogynistic, Dan is still not cut out for the vicious realm of politics. The quality which makes him even more unpleasant is that he knows he is a jerk, and in fact, he thrives on being one. As the audience can see in season six, episode two, when Jonah loses his hair due to testicular cancer, Dan is seen passing dark comments like he should be underground worshiping an atomic bomb, or when he tries to draw on Jonah, as Dan thinks looks like male genitals. Not only this, but when Jonah lashes out on him on his morning show, rather than feeling remorse, he feels more amused as his show will get more ratings.
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If there could be another name for a trash bag, it would without a doubt be Jonah Ryan. This character is most despicable and was fighting to be at the top of the list of being least likable. Jonah Ryan is an arrogant and brash person who is always seen saying the most offensive and abhorrent things in the name of humor. Though he shows respect to no one, somehow demands himself to be respected without doing anything in order to achieve it. If that doesn't shout male entitlement, what else will?
In season seven, the audience sees him making some extremely racist remarks. Whether it is him being appalled by the fact Muslims created math and claiming it to be a terrorist subject or saying Pass when an interviewer asks about Africa, Jonah is a pile of trash. He is detestable, with horrendous outdated ideas. However, despite it all, it makes him one of the most realistic depictions of a political leader, which is another reason he is so unlikeable as he hits too close to home with many of the real world leaders.
Taking the crown for being the least likable character on the show is none other than the main character, Selina Meyers. Veep never hesitates from making its main character a genuinely dreadful individual. In fact, this made the show more entertaining. Selina started as an ambitious politician who over time gets engulfed in the greed of power which turns her pure wicked. She throws away any shred of morals or things she once believed in just for the sake of winning. Though many people didn't have a choice in making terrible decisions, it wasn't the case with Selina. She was just downright a terrible person. Who treated everyone around her like mere insects and never took ownership of her failures.
Not only for strangers, but she was a terrible mother to her only daughter. Other than being a neglectful mother, she always used her daughter for gaining more votes. In season seven, Selina does the unthinkable when she vows to permanently outlaw gay marriages simply to gain endorsements and a few more votes, regardless of knowing the fact that her daughter is a lesbian. This law goes against her own daughter's marriage, but Selina is simply so thirsty for power that she proceeds to go forward with it. However, the show does a remarkable job of showing her end. How even when she ends up becoming the President, it was a hollow, lonely victory, which is all she deserves for being worse than the monsters one reads about.
Fatima is an author, seamstress and English major who is enthusiastic about films, comics and cosplay. She also has an avid love for writing and writes about the latest entertainment news and trends on Movieweb.