Why Fergie, Austin Dillon and Julie Thatcher Are TV’s Social Media MVPs of the Week
A pop star, a NASCAR driver and a returned sister had viewers talking passionately on social media over the past seven days.
The Wrap has partnered with Canvs, the emotion measurement company, for a weekly look at some of the characters and personalities that have TV viewers the most worked up on social media. The data below covers Feb. 14-20 and is drawn from the most emotionally reacted-to television programs, including broadcast, cable, streaming and PPV.
Instead of being about the players, much of the conversation around the 2018 NBA All-Star game, which generated 251,679 Emotional Reactions (ERs) and was broadcast on TNT, centered on Fergie, the singer who performed a notoriously controversial rendition of the National Anthem. Thousands of people took to Twitter to weigh in about the song, which Fergie performed in a jazzy, weirdly sultry manner. Reactions ranged from confusion and awkward laughter to downright anger and hate.
Wtf fergie??? #AllStarWeekend
— TheBus_Driver (@AirFly24) February 19, 2018
Uhmmm, okay Fergie? ???? #NBAAllStar
— CJ Khaled (@cj_enco) February 19, 2018
That was AWFUL Fergie #AllStarGame
— Sam Clubb (@sam_clubb26) February 19, 2018
Fergie is horrible #NBAAllStar2018
— Juaniboi (@ynkeesnum1fan) February 19, 2018
Fox’s broadcast of the 2018 Daytona 500 inspired 78,510 ERs, with ultimate champion Austin Dillon being the most-mentioned driver of the day. During the final lap, Aric Almirola crashed into a wall, giving Dillon the space to eek out the win. Viewer reaction was mixed, with some applauding him while others went the more negative route.
CONGRATS TO AUSTIN DILLON ????????
— Paige (@keefer_paige) February 18, 2018
Ugh. Austin Dillon wins.
— Just Keep Fighting (@JKFv699) February 18, 2018
Way to go Austin Dillon! Whooot!
— Sarah Hansen (@kaitlandsmom) February 19, 2018
Austin Dillon, scumbag of the week
— owen mccormack (@OwenMcCormack8) February 18, 2018
There were 18,986 ERs around the season 5 premiere of Hallmark’s hit series “When Calls the Heart,” with Julie Thatcher (portrayed by Charlotte Hegele) generating the most conversation. Julie is the sister to main character Elizabeth Thatcher, and her unexpected return in the premiere prompted much excitement among fans — although some expressed trepidation over her apparent interest in the character Jesse (Aren Buchholz).
OMG JULIE IS BACK!!! #Hearties
— Miranda Hernandez (@Mir_maid6) February 19, 2018
Julie looks great. #hearties @hallmarkchannel @SuperChannel
— Katya Valluzzo (@katya421) February 19, 2018
So happy to have Julie back! #Hearties
— Candace Dezelske (@CandieCane1118) February 19, 2018
Nooooooo not Julie and Jesse!!!!! ????@WCTH_TV #Hearties
— Tayci Gustafson (@giggletayc) February 19, 2018
Related stories from TheWrap:
Jimmy Kimmel Has the Perfect Excuse for His Reaction to Fergie's National Anthem (Video)
Forget Fergie, LeBron James and Steph Curry Agree That 2018 NBA All-Star Game Was a Hit
Fergie Responds to National Anthem Backlash: I 'Honestly Tried My Best' (Video)
Even Roseanne Barr Dunked on Fergie's National Anthem Performance: 'Mine Was Better'
