Veep is starting its new season of Washington drama, political farce, impressive insults, and expletive filled tirades—and Barack Obama and Mitt Romney just might be tuning in.
The show’s Emmy winning star Julia Louis-Dreyfus stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Wednesday night and spilled the beans on some of her show’s fans. “Who is the most famous fan of Veep that you have encountered?” Jimmy Kimmel asked her and she coyly asked, “Does Barack Obama count?”
Veep doesn’t just appeal to Democrats, though, as former Obama’s former rival, one-time Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, is also a fan. Turns out that having fans in high places can be very helpful for a show set inside the high stakes political world. For example, when Louis-Dreyfus’s character, Selina Meyer finds herself reeling after a big political loss, the show was able to all upon Romney, who she respects, for insight. “[Mitt and Ann Romney] came and talked to us at great lengths,” said Louis-Dreyfus. “Which was really helpful because we really wanted to talk to him about what it was like to lose.”
Romney apparently told the show what it was like recovering from political gaffes, like when he claimed that 47% of the American people “pay no income tax.” and then had to explain the comment. According to Louis-Dreyfus, he told Veep writers that “the truth is if you’re running, if you’re explaining, you’re losing” and they ended up putting the line into the show.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Biden Drops Out of Presidential Race , Endorses Harris to Replace Him
- Why Biden Dropped Out
- The Chaos and Commotion of the RNC in Photos
- Why We All Have a Stake in Twisters’ Success
- 8 Eating Habits That Actually Improve Your Sleep
- Stop Feeling Bad About Sweating
- Welcome to the Noah Lyles Olympics
- Get Our Paris Olympics Newsletter in Your Inbox
Contact us at letters@time.com