While I’m not personally a fan of Netflix’s massively popular “House of Cards,” I’ll be the first to admit that the show does what it does very well. It’s a hard, cynical look at hard, cynical people, replete with high-voltage dialogue that’s occasionally as sharp as a scalpel and actors who do not merely chew the scenery, but devour it. Kevin Spacey — an actor of considerable range who has a special knack for playing cold-hearted creeps — has turned his Machiavellian political climber Frank Underwood into one of pop culture’s most ubiquitous and enjoyably evil small-screen villains. So as all the fans wait with bated breath for ‘Cards’ to kick off its third season at the end of this week, here is a beguiling tribute to hold you over in the interim. That’s right folks, it’s a kooky, loving homage courtesy of the folks over on “Sesame Street.”
For the record, this stuff is pretty strictly for the youngsters. There’s scant reflection of the abundant sex, swearing and generally awful behavior that distinguishes ‘Cards’ as a definitively grown-up piece of entertainment, although the video wisely keeps Underwood’s cruel and knowing voice (“Some people say there’s too much pork in this town” is an admittedly inspired excerpt) when he addresses the viewer directly. Our (anti)hero in this incarnation is one Frank Underwolf, a conniving politico (and wolf) with a soupy Southern accent who re-enacts the beloved children’s tale of the Three Little Piggies for our viewing pleasure. It’s all very cute and silly and if nothing else, the clip leaves us to wonder: what’s next? A parody of “Transparent” featuring Oscar the Grouch? Probably not, but a man can dream.
The third season of “House of Cards” premieres its entire thirteen-episode run this Friday, February 27th. [Dangerous Minds]
