The star of the new HBO series "Veep" has embraced her role as vice president, saying the powerful yet powerless position is a "ripe area for comedy."
"There is no politician in Washington who aspires to the vice presidency, right? So that makes it just a delicious, fun thing to do," actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus said Thursday on MSNBC's "Morning Joe."
The comedian said she wanted to make clear that the new show, which premieres on HBO this Sunday, doesn't aim to parody any one politician, as some believe, but is based on "political behavior."
The former "Seinfeld" actress said she was in touch with a couple vice presidents to prepare for the role, but wouldn't name names.
"I was keeping that under wraps because I wanted to ask some really personal questions, like, I don't know, 'When you get up in the middle of the night because you have to go to the bathroom, does the Secret Service follow you?' That's an important question, don't you think? Can you see how I take this research seriously?" she joked.
Though Louis-Dreyfus wouldn't admit which vice presidents she spoke with, MSNBC host Mika Brzezinski let it slip that the actress talked with Al Gore.
She also said she has met Vice President Biden, but it was prior to taking on the HBO show.
"I think he's a great guy. I love him," said Louis-Dreyfus of meeting Biden.
Anyone who's wondering if Louis-Dreyfus's character swings right or left won't find out. The comedian told "Morning Joe" that her political party is never revealed on the show — neither is the commander in chief, who is spoken about, but never seen on screen.
Louis-Dreyfus spoke with The Hill's Capital Living for an extended Q&A on the show, her portrayal of the vice president and some of the antics her character gets into. For the full interview, including her advice to Mitt Romney on picking a running mate,
click here.
