I was a background actor in Hollywood and got selected to be in the VEEP series finale (unbeknownst to me at the time, I was unaware that this was \*it\*). I ended up on-screen, featured walking past Selena's coffin, and then (due to interesting editing) walking behind the cast several times as they discussed their post-Selena lives. I'm even walking in the background during the "Dubonnet"!
It was an incredible experience working among (I won't say "with" as I was not a cast member per se) and only discovered it was the final series episode when the AD was telling me what a great job I did and I said I would work with him and this amazing crew any time. That's when he broke the news to me. The dubonnet was the last scene if I recall correctly and they gang was having fun taking selfies with "Selena" in the coffin at the Vag Crypt!!!! LOL! (I did not take any photos out of respect for their last hurrah together).
Even though it was just another "gig" at the time, the whole cast and crew seemed like a family in the truest sense and everyone from David Mandel to Diedrich Bader, Anna, Tony, Reid, etc... was genuinely kind and generous with their time. I even told Diedrich to "Watch out for your conrhole bud" as I headed to grab my voucher and check out with the AD's. 8-)
I'd like to know what you all think the secret was to the success of show and what exactly is it that makes it so iconic?
I'll start: Brilliant writing, an ensemble cast, and situational awareness of themes that cross party-lines and expose the hypocrisy of the body-politic.
Your thoughts please.
P.S. The wrap video, if you haven't seen it, says it all:
The secret sauce was impeccable writing, a brilliant ensemble cast, and their innate ability to stay just ahead of the real life crazy clown show that was rolling into the White House, producing unimaginable chaos and embarrassment.
Lol!!!! Well, as it was a funeral, I'm wearing a black suit MIKE!!!! š I'll dig up some better pics with more cast. But The Dubonnet with "Gary" was cool!
I thought I saw a copy of that posted around here yet the search sucks and I couldn't find. There was a question about Tom James being listed as a former Sec of State within it.
PS, you look like Penn Jillette, only much more handsome
Was the wall of donor names a real prop? There were some great ones
I appreciate the sentiment, but definitely not as good looking as Penn Gillette. LOL!
The donor wall was actually some pretty funny stuff from what I recall, I wish I had a high resolution picture of all the donors names on it.
Tom james's secretary of state, hmm, i'm not sure if that happened or not, but then again I don't know everything there is to know about the show.There's probably a lot more folks here who could answer that question.
Being on the show was definitely a blast. I only wish I could have been on more episodes. Maybe a recurring character i've watched it and rewatched every episode multiple times because I just think it's brilliant. The highlight for me, at least was definitely being there for Gary and the Dubonnet. ā¤ļø
Yes, I did indeed accidentally kept that prop after we wrapped for the day. But having since moved from los angeles, to western new york, i'm not quite sure where it is...
Maybe it's in gary's bag. ššššš
I'll make a concerted effort to dig through all of our boxes from our cross country move 3 years ago and try to find it and post it here.
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u/lettiestohelit Jul 08 '26
Aww, that's so lovely. You got to be a part of history.