Every HBO Comedy Ranked From Worst To Best

While most US adaptations of British comedies are met with trepidation, comedy fans knew they were onto a winner with Veep. Not only was Armando Iannucci dealing directly with the remake of his own The Thick Of It, but the excellent cast and personnel meant we could rest assured this would be quality.

What we didn’t expect was a show that in many respects outstripped its forebearer. It’s not a fair fight as there’s so much more content in Veep, but its seven seasons barely put a foot wrong. Intelligent and articulate but ever-accessible comedy, Veep was some of the most polished and acerbic satirical work in years.

Beyond the fat free scripts was an incredible cast. Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Anna Chlumsky, Reid Scott, and the incomparable Timothy Simmons as overgrown buffoon Jonah are just scratching the surface of the riches on show here. Veep was a spiky and acidic show in the Seinfeld mould, but never hateful or cruel - the characters were at constant verbal war with one another, but seemed to relish the combat.

Seven seasons of quality is no mean feat, and Veep managed to keep up the pace incredibly well. A show that exceeded all expectations.