HBO's hidden comedic gem

"Tell her I'm canceling the lunch with Catherine that was supposed to prove there's nothing more important than Catherine because something more important than Catherine has come up." — Selina Myers, "VEEP"

HBO comedies are a mixed bag. Historically, the most popular has been "Sex And The City." In recent years, the comedies have been all over the map. "Curb Your Enthusiasm," which has aired eight seasons and is supposed to come back at some point, is one of the most revered. "Girls," which just wrapped its second season, is one of the most critically acclaimed and popular.

Then there's the misfires. I enjoyed "Bored to Death," but apparently few others did. "Enlightened" never really caught on, despite a nice pedigree, and has been put out to pasture. Then there's "VEEP," a little comedy starring Julia Louis Dreyfuss about the vice president of the United States. The show just began its second season last night — now oddly paired with "Game of Thrones" on the new Sunday night lineup for HBO. And the second season premier was proof positive that "VEEP" just might be the hidden gem in the HBO lineup.

In the late 1990s, when people still had some hope and faith in government, TV gave us "The West Wing." Political view aside, the show was an idealized vision of how our government should work. Though I didn't always agree with the political ideals, I was always moved by the passion and commitment to doing what was best for America that was depicted in the show. And it seemed that struck a patriotic chord with audiences, too.

In 2013, no one harbors illusions about our government. Most people see it as dysfunctional and misguided. Into that world comes "VEEP," a show that not only accomplishes the goal of being funny, but accomplishes the goal of reflecting back to a viewing public what we already believe about our government.

It centers on the Vice President (Louis Dreyfuss) and her team. Of course, for the most part, the Vice President isn't in the lime light in our current politics, and the show has fun with that, too. But what it really has a knack at is exposing what the casual person believes Washington, D.C. is like.

Most of the politicians and politicos in the show are vain, self-centered, and far too focused on personal glory. They give great speeches with the cameras are rolling and there is an audience, but are more themselves behind the closed doors of power.

The show finds the humor in ill-advised political moves, the back room deals and back-stabbing that keep legislation stalled in the halls of power, and the race the to the bottom of the ladder of morality and human decency. In short, it's a political show that's reflective of the gridlocked, ridiculous times we live in. There is nothing idealized about this show, and that's part of its appeal.

It also has an incredible cast — which includes Tony Hale, Reid Scott, and "My Girl's" Anna Chlumsky. While "Girls" might grab all the attention, for me "VEEP" is the one generating all the laughs. Just try to forget what a close reflection to real life it is.