Episode one of season 3 of “House of Cards” finds Frank Underwood (Kevin 
Spacey) ensconced in the White House ready to focus on policy rather 
than killing the foes who had been obstacles to his rise to power.

In the video clip below, we see his chief henchman Doug Stamper (Michael 
Kelly), who is recovering from the brain damage wrought by a brick to 
the head by one of those foes who escaped with her life, watching his 
boss on the Stephen Colbert Show. While one can never figure out what 
the real intention of screenwriter Beau Willimon were, it might be 
besides the point since the net effect is to demonstrate the 
ineffectuality of Jon Stewart/Stephen Colbert satire, a toothless affair 
that hearkens back to the historical mission of court jesters in 
medieval times—namely to serve as lapdogs. Wikipedia, quoting the Royal 
Shakespeare Company, states: “Regarded as pets or mascots, they served 
not simply to amuse but to criticise their master or mistress and their 
guests. Queen Elizabeth (reigned 1558–1603) is said to have rebuked one 
of her fools for being insufficiently severe with her.”

full: 
http://louisproyect.org/2015/03/01/stephen-colbert-the-modern-court-jester/
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