Watch CBS News

Mindy Kaling Disses Sen. Cory Booker And Gets A Dinner Date

By Faith Karimi

NEW JERSEY (CNN) -- It's like a modern rom-com featuring a television star and a politician -- complete with a social media twist.

What started out as a diss on Hulu series "The Mindy Project" may lead to a dinner date between the show's actress Mindy Kaling and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker.

A recent episode of the show featured Kaling's character, Mindy Lahiri, puzzled that the senator attended a friend's event.

"Cory Booker? I can't believe he came," Kaling's character said on the show. "I guess anything to get out of Newark, huh?"

Teens Wearing Leggings Barred From United Flight, Sparking Twitter Backlash

Booker tweeted the actress and told her he does not agree with her portrayal of the city he once served as mayor, but said he loves her work nevertheless.

"Ouch!" Booker tweeted, complete with an emoji of a broken heart. "Heard Dr. Lahiri dissed Newark last night ... & I disagree."

Kaling was quick to reassure him that anything her character doesn't like always means that it is cool.

"Senator, if Mindy Lahiri shades it, it means we know it's cool. Thanks for the love. It's mutual!" she tweeted, using a big fat heart emoji in place of love.

At that point, social media users collectively swooned and started egging them on. Booker upped the ante with a dinner invitation for Kaling.

"You are making my day! Thanks for the clarification. And If the love is really mutual ... Come have dinner with me in Newark?" Again, the big red heart emoji in place of the word love heated things up a little.

Kaling responded with a yes, and told him she'll check the schedule of PATH -- the rail line that runs between New York and New Jersey.

 

Not to be left out, PATH jumped in and tweeted the actress its train schedule. Booker decided to be a gentleman and offer her a door-to-door car service instead.

Twitter users implored the two to make it happen, prematurely appointing them as the next power couple.

Your call, Kaling.

The-CNN-Wire ™ & © 2017 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.