Barack Obama Riding in a Self-Driving Car in Netflix’s ‘Working’ Will Make You Squeal With Joy

Okay, I’ll be fully transparent and start off this article by saying, yes, I have an itsy-bitsy, teeny-tiny crush on former U.S. President Barack Obama. I don’t know what it is. His deep baritone voice? The suave, too-cool-for-school attitude he has with everybody, including diplomats, the press, and the ladies? Is it his genuine concern for the future of America and humanity? His steady dedication to goodness? Perhaps it’s just his polished, yet modern fashion style? Nevertheless, I knew I was done for when I saw him in Netflix’s latest docuseries,  Working: What We Do All Day.

Listed above are just a few of the many reasons why one would potentially have a crush on Obama, but let’s transition into what kind of crush it is. Now, it’s not a rip-off-your-clothes-and-lets-go-at-it type of crush; it’s more a slow burn. The type of crush you have on your high school history teacher or your friend’s dad. Entirely off-limits but like… nobody has to know?

This type of crush often comes with a giddy excitement towards everything they do, no matter how big or inconsequential the action is. Oh, you told me “good job” on my test? I’ll be thinking about this for the rest of my life. Eye contact during a lecture? He’s totally into me. You made a grilled cheese sandwich? I’m so impressed, this is the best thing I’ve ever eaten! You must be a chef.

Now that we’ve established the groundwork, the following sentiment will make much more sense: Watching Obama ride in a self-driving car in Working was my favorite part of the entire docuseries and he was just soooo cute, and I’m obsessed with everything about it. 

Inspired by Studs Terkel’s 1974 book, the docuseries follows real people, from service workers to senior executives, in their daily lives. Obama serves as the narrator and adopts an on-screen role in the series as he meets various working mothers, self-employed individuals, entrepreneurs, musicians, etc., and listens to the plights and joys of their jobs and their hopes and dreams. While the series may have its pitfalls, overall it’s a breezy watch and gives way to some crush-worthy moments for the former President. 

One of my favorites comes in Episode 3 where Mr. President takes the front seat in a self-driving car, called The Aurora Driver. Two individuals are situated in the backseat. The scene is a brief opener that clocks in at under two minutes but features Obama excitedly asking questions about the vehicle and audibly reflecting on the experience. He appears hesitant and slightly concerned at first but eventually adopts the excitement of a child on a playground.

While watching the steering wheel turn on its own, he comments, “Wow, it’s like the invisible man is sitting here!” Eventually, Obama ponders the different activities one could do while riding in a self-driving car. “As somebody who has not been allowed to drive for the last 13 to 14 years, you do a lot of reading and occasionally play online Scrabble,” he says. Wow, Mr. Obama, I’m sure you have some very impressive Scrabble scores.

Another notable moment occurs in the first episode. Obama goes grocery shopping with a single mother and her child and observes her experience navigating the store and sticking to the budget that she can afford with her service job as a home care aide for handicapped adults. She tells Obama that her monthly check is about $1,400.

The former politician intently listens to her stories about resilience and her musings on food prices while pushing her cart and playfully keeping an eye on her toddler, who is riding in the top section of the cart. When the woman asks him if he’s “at peace,” he tells her that he’s comfortable and has cared for his family, but worries about the next generation. However, you see the light in her eyes when he mentions that he has a “nice porch” and a “rocking chair,” which echoes her hopes for her future.  [NOTE: the scene was cut before the group reached the register but I hope he paid for her groceries because I saw him buy a man a salad in a later episode… ]

If the description of these two scenes left you softly squealing, please know there’s more to come in the Netflix series, which is currently streaming on the platform. Even if it doesn’t get better than the self-driving car.