‘Brilliant!’: Stacey Abrams is a ‘Doctor Who’ fan, and Twitter is aflutter
From quick online search you can find out that Stacey Abrams is a Democrat, she was a House minority leader and a candidate for governor of Georgia. But there is one role she doesn't list on her website, but that sent ripples through time and space: she's a Whovian.
Abrams appeared on Buzzfeed News' AM2DM show Thursday to talk about her history-making response to President Donald Trump's State of the Union address. She was selected to be the first black woman — and the first Georgian — to deliver the marquee speech.
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The show’s hosts asked Abrams what her day was like before she delivered the Democratic response.
After going over her speech again, she said, “I watched about three episodes of ‘Doctor Who,’ and just kinda chilled out.”
Host Isaac Fitzerald's eyes grew wide and his mouth fell open with a surprised look.
"Hang on, hang on, hang on," he said. "Like ... this season 'Doctor Who' or back-in-the-day 'Doctor Who'?" he asked, as co-host Saeed Jones laughed and clapped his hands.
Abrams explained she started watching the new iteration of the British science fiction show about a year ago and just finished season 8. For the uninitiated, "Doctor Who" is about a "Time Lord" from the planet Gallifrey who, instead of dying, regenerates every hundred or so years. The show has been around more than 50 years, because it can easily change actors — and now actress — to play the title role.
Whovians — a term used for fans of “Doctor Who” — could not contain their enthusiasm.
POLITICIAN: I support Medicaid expansion and voting rights
— Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) February 7, 2019
ME: [nods, strokes chin]
POLITICIAN: I'm a fan of a 55-year-old British sci-fi show about a shapeshifting alien who rides a time-traveling box
ME: pic.twitter.com/kELV98994d
Realizing we live in a world where @staceyabrams and @AOC are nerdy POCs has this black geek feeling so fucking SEEN rn.
— she writes stuff💬📝☕️ (@shewrites_stuff) February 8, 2019
— Chakras And Chill (@solomonmissouri) February 8, 2019
Nerd! ❤❤❤❤ pic.twitter.com/Bm3sD6GXHT
— Shops by Bike (@belleoflonglake) February 8, 2019
But which one is her favorite (because every Whovian has a favorite Doctor)?
I’ve liked all of the newest regenerations since its return (some more than others), but Tom Baker remains the one Doctor to rule them all. https://t.co/S9BJlf3BF9
— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) February 8, 2019
— Ⓥ (@ReplicantX6) February 8, 2019
My son is going to be so happy when he hears you’re a Tom Baker fan! pic.twitter.com/UQVhDvmIQa
— gardenhack (@kate_cottle) February 8, 2019
No... she’s right. #maythefourthbewithyou pic.twitter.com/W9EJEuNrkI
— BritTrack at DC (@brittrack) February 8, 2019
— Patrick (#RunBernieRun) Bruck (@scott_satzer) February 8, 2019
Fans of the Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth Doctors (David Tennant, Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi, respectively) were disappointed.
My favorite thus far pic.twitter.com/3GCCnTCxuW
— Raj Lakra (@RajLakra) February 8, 2019
Keep up your wonderful works... Thank you for your dedication and kindness 😍 pic.twitter.com/Vss2Sd9iU7
— Brian Young 🌊🙅🏿♂️🙅🏿♀️ Wakanda 4evs (@LCARS_TechGuy) February 8, 2019
— Kirsten O’Nell (@ohkirsten) February 8, 2019
No really. Matt Smith is the best. pic.twitter.com/UgDYEjkUzg
— Kirsten O’Nell (@ohkirsten) February 8, 2019
About the Author
Nancy Clanton is a lead producer for The AJC's platforms team, but also writes stories about health, travel, events and entertainment. A native of Knoxville and graduate of the University of Tennessee, she has worked at the AJC for 24 years.
