Call Me Kat Star Leslie Jordan Talks Becoming a Social Media Sensation

Call Me Kat, the Fox sitcom starring Mayim Bialik (The Big Bang Theory), set to debut early next year is one of TV’s most anticipated new series. The premise of the series has Bialik’s character, Kat, opening up a cat-themed cafe using the money that her parents had been saving for her wedding. Former Will & Grace guest star Leslie Jordan is also on board.

Leslie Jordan – Media Star

The program boasts an impressive supporting cast besides Jordan, including Cheyenne Jackson (American Horror Story: Apocalypse), Kyla Pratt (Moesha), and Swoosie Kurtz (Sisters).

Jordan plays the character of Phil. Earlier this year, he became a social media sensation courtesy of some Instagram posts he made that caught the attention of many people including singer Katy Perry (American Idol).

“Well, you know, I just took off,” Jordan shared in a press conference for Call Me Kat earlier this week. “I was at home with my mom during the lockdown, and I just started posting. I posted twice a day for 80 days. But my friend called from California. He said, ‘You’ve gone viral.'”

The Emmy-winning actor, who now has 5.5 million Instagram followers, deadpanned in response: “‘No. I’m fine, honey.’ He said, ‘No. You are viral.’ I said, ‘No. Seriously, I’m fine.'”

Jordan clarifies that he actually does know what “going viral” means, but he couldn’t help but have fun with his pal’s wording. “I mean, of course, I knew what that meant, but I didn’t really,” the actor adds. “But, anyway, I’ve gone viral…

The actor adds that it’s become a challenge to post humorous content on a regular basis so, he’s posting once every three days, approximately. He says that the response he’s gotten from his Instagram posts have been heartwarming as people find them both hilarious and comforting.

“I’ve [had] people come up and say, ‘Do you know what? You helped me. I was locked [up] at home with my kids, my husband. I thought I was going to go crazy, and I would wait every day for your post,'” Jordan adds. “And I thought, ‘Wow.'”

Jordan says he made a conscious decision to avoid certain topics (religion and politics) and just keep the emphasis on being funny. “So, I’m really glad that I stuck with that because that’s just what people needed, and it just happened at the right time,” he says. “So, yeah, I’m pretty proud of that.” Check out one of Jordan’s Instagram posts below. Call Me Kat is executive produced by Darlene Hunt (The Big C), Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory), and Bialik. Call Me Kat premieres on Fox on January 3 at 8 p.m. EST.