Veep
Streaming on Max is the American political satire dramedy “Veep” which follows Vice President (VP) Selina Meyer (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and the political turmoil she navigates. Each episode is chock-full of governmental chaos, false promises to the press, political tightrope walking and flat-out offensive statements behind closed doors. Her cabinet members include a wise-cracking Chief of Staff Amy Brookheimer (Anna Chlumsky) and an almost-too-loyal personal aide Gary Walsh (Tony Hale.) In the show’s background, the unseen President Hughes slowly declines in popularity, with the public’s dissatisfaction culminating in the expulsion of Hughes from the ballot with Meyer as a replacement. Recently, viewership of “Veep” increased 353%, after Biden stepped down from re-election and the Harris campaign emerged, as the show held extreme similarities to that political event.
Parks and Recreation
“Parks and Recreation” on Peacock is a sitcom set in the fictitious Indiana town of Pawnee, with a hilarious ensemble cast of kooky local-governmental workers. It begins when the optimistic Deputy Director of the Parks and Recreation Department of Pawnee Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) sets her sights on building a park on a massive hole sitting in the middle of a neighborhood. Working with Knope is the misanthropic Director of the Department Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman) and sly department administrator Tom Haverford (Aziz Ansari.) Knope’s journey to beautifying her community showcases her unwavering faith in the bureaucratic process and that no matter what problems the local government may throw her way, she will keep on doing it for the people.
Designated Survivor
The Netflix political thriller “Designated Survivor” is based upon an executive fail-safe designating a presidential cabinet member to assume leadership in case of a catastrophe incapacitating successors to the presidency and the president themselves. In the series, Tom Kirkman (Kiefer Sutherland,) who is the secretary of housing and urban development, is suddenly thrust into office when hundreds of high-ranking government employees are killed in a terrorist attack on the Capitol during a State of The Union. FBI Agent Hannah Wells (Maggie Q) is sent to uncover the terrorists behind the attack. As the nation descends into chaos over the uncertainty of what may happen next, it is up to President Kirkman to mold into his role and lead his country out of darkness.
Scandal
“Scandal” is a political drama streaming on Hulu and Tubi featuring head-strong former White House Press Director Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington,) who owns crisis management firm Pope & Associates. Pope’s firm makes scandals disappear, to protect the image of its clients and have the press be none the wiser. Working under Pope is her right-hand man Stephen Finch (Henry Ian Cusick) and compassionate newcomer Quinn Perkins (Katie Lowes.) The series finds its catalyst when Pope unravels an alleged illicit relationship between President Fitzgerald (Tony Goldwyn) and former White House intern Amanda Tanner (Liza Weil.) Pope can confirm Tanner’s claims due to her own affair with Fitzgerald and her investigations bring back her past with the president to haunt them in full display.
