Kamala Harris Differs from ‘Veep’ Character

Kamala Harris and Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ “Veep” character Selina Meyer were both female vice presidents, but the actor emphasizes that’s where their similarities end.

During an appearance on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” live from the Democratic National Convention, Louis-Dreyfus discussed the sudden spike in popularity “Veep” experienced following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from this year’s election and Harris’ announcement of her candidacy.

When Colbert mentioned that “Veep” viewership had increased by 350%, Louis-Dreyfus responded, “It’s a great thing, I think?” Nonetheless, she clarified that Meyer and Harris do not share the same personality traits.

“Let me explain to you, on ‘Veep’ I played a narcissistic, megalomaniac sociopath, and that is not Kamala Harris,” she said, adding: “It might be another candidate in the race.”

Colbert then asked which “Veep” character reminded Louis-Dreyfus most of Donald Trump’s running mate JD Vance. “That would be Jonah Ryan,” she said, referring to Meyer’s White House liaison, played by Timothy Simons, who constantly clashed with members of her staff.

“I’m sure he’s made love to many couches,” Louis-Dreyfus quipped.

Despite “Veep” being a comedy, Colbert pointed out that it dealt significantly with the harsh treatment of women in politics. Asked if she had a favorite scene that embodied this, Louis-Dreyfus pointed to a moment between Meyer and Matt Walsh’s Mike McLintock.

“He came to me with this speech, and the speech began ‘as a woman.’ And I looked at him and I said, ‘First of all, as a woman, I’m not going to start a speech with “as a woman,” because I can’t identify as a woman,’” Louis-Dreyfus recalled. “Men hate that and women who hate women hate that, which is most women.”

Watch Louis-Dreyfus’ chat with Colbert below.