Why House of Cards Is Abandoning Politics

There are two kinds of political television shows.

The first is the kind that ennobles the profession, the ones in which good-hearted, cynical-but-not-caustic, generally liberal do-gooders earnestly attempt to make the world a better place through the vagaries and eccentricities of the political process. The West Wing, Parks and Recreation, Madam Secretary, these are shows that appeal to our better natures, ones built to encourage our faith in our leaders and make us believe that, doggone it, Washington really is trying. Perhaps not coincidentally, these are the shows that most often feature actual cameos from actual politicians.