Obama-Abe toast features 'House of Cards'

David Jackson | USA TODAY

There's little doubt that politicians (and reporters) love the Netflix series House of Cards — it even figured into Tuesday's state dinner toast between the leaders of the United States and Japan.

In his remarks, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he is one of the "hard core fans" of the political drama in which a conniving congressman manages to worm his way into the presidency by undercutting superiors.

Abe quickly added, "I am not going to show this House of Cards to my fellow minister deputy prime minister in Japan."

Hey, you can't take too many chances.

President Obama has also expressed enjoyment of House of Cards, telling one group that protagonist Frank Underwood — who moved from congressman to vice president to president in a mere two seasons — is "getting a lot of things done."

His toast to Abe, however, was a little more traditional:

"To our guests, Prime Minister Abe and Mrs. Abe, to the friendship between our two peoples and to our magnificent that does so much, not just for our two countries but for peace and prosperity in the world, may it endure for all seasons and all time. Cheers. Kampai."