The Internet Is Currently Obsessed with a Licked Potato Because People Are Weird and Wonderful

If you're even partially engaged with TV Twitter, you might have noticed a weird conversation bubbling up over the past week centered around potatoes. Well, not just any potato, but one particular potato, and the mysterious person who licked it.

When Syfy's supernatural-western series Wynonna Earp unveiled its Season 3 trailer at the ATX Television Festival in Austin, Texas, last week, it was unlikely anyone involved with the show could have predicted the reaction to follow. But as someone who was in the room when the trailer dropped, I can definitively state that the reaction to the potato was instantaneous.

While the shots of the show's heroine, the demon killer Wynonna (Melanie Scrofano), riding a mechanical bull got cheers, and although the glimpses of the supporting cast running to kick some serious demon butt elicited excitement, the laughter at the moment an unknown person dramatically licked a potato was the clear stand-out moment from the trailer, as fans who were equally amused and confused simultaneously began wondering, "WTF?" After the trailer was sent wide, the rest of the fandom joined in on the fun, tweeting each other and the show's creator Emily Andras about their thoughts and feelings about the potato. And trust me, they had plenty to say.

"Who licked the potato?" is #20gayteen's version of "Who shot J.R.?" #WynonnaEarp pic.twitter.com/eeH6JKhkti

— Bridget Liszewski (@BridgetOnTV) June 9, 2018

If the potato isn't in the credits we riot. #WynonnaEarp

— Megan Smith 🥔 (@Nuutmeg) June 12, 2018

Calling now that my first cosplay from #WynonnaEarp Season 3 is the person who licks that potato in the trailer. 👅 🥔

— Cat Zimm (@cimzim) June 9, 2018

As it stands, not a day goes by that a potato tweet doesn't somehow appear in my Twitter timeline -- and I'm not even deep in the online Wynonna fandom, having only recently binged the show on Netflix. But you know what? I am not complaining! There is something so pure and unabashedly silly about this potato mystery that I find myself deeply invested. There are so many things that stress me out on a daily basis, and it's nice to even temporarily distract myself with an issue in which the stakes are low but the suspense is so high. Just look at how much these people care abut this potato!

So the science geek in me is thinking that the proper way to lick a potato to get maximum taste is to hit the back of your tongue, not the tip. #wynonnaearptrailer #WynonnaEarp #WynonnaEarpSeason3 @MelanieScrofano @DominiqueP_C pic.twitter.com/HSxNtKf6sE

— Jenny D (@ellenprice40) June 9, 2018

You've been blessed by the Wynonna Earp Pride Potato. Retweet for good luck. pic.twitter.com/qYrS3CPqoA

— Marisa (@Hot4Haught) June 12, 2018

I can just see it. People bringing potato's to cons to get them signed 😂😂😂 #WynonnaEarp

— Rachael' ⚓️ (@RachWoods97) June 9, 2018

Don't tell me that it's not just a little bit contagious. C'mon, who licks a potato?! And WHY? The people demand answers!!!!

EVERYBODY'S FREAKING OUT ABOUT BLOOD AND KISSES BUT I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE POTATO LICKING#WynonnaEarp #RenewWynonnaEarp

— Earpnado (Liz) (@earpnado) June 8, 2018

It doesn't look as though Andras will be spilling the secrets about the spud anytime soon, so we may just have to wait until Season 3 premieres Friday, July 20 at 9/8c on Syfy. In the meantime, if you want to join this amazing community of potato-licking aficionados and sleuths, you can catch up on the first two seasons of Wynonna Earp on Netflix.