Staff Reports
In a development that could only be described as a divine twist of fate for politically-starved viewers, HBO’s “Veep” has experienced a staggering 350% spike in viewership recently. The timely jump in viewers comes just a day after President Biden threw in the towel on his 2024 reelection campaign and handed the keys to his vice presidency to Kamala Harris. Ironically, this sudden interest in a satirical political show echoes the very plot of “Veep,” where fictional Vice President Selina Meyer finds herself eyeing the presidential throne after her boss decides to take a permanent vacation.
The numbers are nothing short of remarkable. Viewership on Max (formerly HBO Max) skyrocketed from a measly 486,000 minutes on Sunday to a jaw-dropping 2.2 million minutes the very next day. One can only wonder how many Americans were frantically tuning in for a dose of political hilarity after realizing reality was one step away from becoming a sitcom script. After all, when real-life political sagas are so absurd, it’s no wonder people flock to the reruns of a show that provides both laughter and a small dose of catharsis.
HBO’s Veep sees enormous viewership spike following Harris’s 2024 candidacy https://t.co/FLtHzAB5EB
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) July 25, 2024
Adding to the comedic absurdity, this spike in viewership closely follows a surge in interest in Senator J.D. Vance’s memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy,” which was catapulted to Amazon’s top rank after former President Trump named him as his 2024 running mate. In this topsy-turvy political landscape, a book about hillbilly heritage seems more relevant than ever. Even the film adaptation, featuring Glenn Close and Amy Adams, managed to wiggle its way into Netflix’s fourth most streamed movie spot, making one wonder if streaming services are the last bastion of reasonable entertainment during this chaotic election era.
Before Biden’s graceful exit, Trump’s team had a cheeky moment, declaring they won’t schedule a date for the vice presidential debate just yet. They playfully acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding who Kamala Harris would choose as her running mate, poking fun at the struggling Democrats. The notion of Harris having to pick a running buddy from a dwindling list of candidates practically invites a game of political bingo. However, they might want to avoid bingo, as it implies some level of competition.
Despite the chaotic smorgasbord of events, Trump announced he would “absolutely” engage in a debate with Harris before the election. However, he isn’t keen on the ABC News platform that was initially set for the Trump-Biden face-off. Trump suggested that a Fox-hosted debate would be more fitting. Once again, this proves that in politics, timing and a good pinch of humour are just as essential as policies and pledges. With the election cycle heading into full swing, one can only hope the entertainment continues—because, if anything, the unpredictability of politics has become the best show in town.
