WASHINGTON — Fears that a popular Disney show that features a young, black, female doctor may not be renewed for a fifth season are spawning a huge outpouring of support on social media, calling for the company to #RenewDocMcStuffins.
In the few days since comedian W. Kamau Bell tweeted Friday that Disney Junior had yet to confirm a new season of “Doc McStuffins,” fans of the animated show have posted thousands of reasons they hope the show will continue.
Dottie “Doc” McStuffins is a seven-year-old girl who decides she wants to become a doctor, like her mother. She practices by fixing and healing her dolls and toys.
Two of the show’s stars tell WTOP they are overwhelmed by the support that the show, which is geared for 4- to 7-year-olds, is generating from parents.
“There’s some really beautiful, amazing stories that people have posted from their Twitter or Facebook accounts,” said Robbie Rist, who provides the voice of Stuffy, a blue stuffed dragon.
Rist described a moving photo of an injured man in a wheelchair in a hospital, with his daughter by his side, and how the program helped the child cope with her father’s injury.
When he got hurt, she brought her Doc kit to every visit to fix him. It made things less scary. #RenewDocMcStuffins pic.twitter.com/DZQBB59gBD
— McKinzie Dobey (@kinzdobey) July 2, 2016
Lara Jill Miller is the voice of Lambie, a stuffed lamb in a pink tutu, who is Doc’s best friend.
Miller said the program encourages young people to stay healthy and offers kid-friendly messages about people’s similarities and differences.
“Well, they didn’t use the word ‘amputee,’ but they certainly had a toy without a leg, they had a toy in a wheelchair, they had toys with glasses,” said Miller.
Rist, who played Oliver in “The Brady Bunch” and also appeared on the “Mary Tyler Moore” television series and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Sharknado series, says he’s most proud of the effect “Doc McStuffins” has had.
“I have friends who are kindergarten teachers, and they’ve noticed a shift in the classroom talk among the kids, of fewer kids wanting to be pop stars and sports legends, and they’re talking about wanting to be doctors,” Rist said.
Miller, who starred as Samantha “Sam” Kanisky in the 1980s sitcom “Gimme a Break!,” says parents have been expressing appreciation for a show that portrays little girls with aspirations of powerful careers.
“There are little boys growing up asking, ‘Mommy, are boys allowed to be doctors too?,” laughs Miller.
“Which is awesome,” Rist chimes in.
The fourth season of “Doc McStuffins” is set to begin this month, but Disney Junior has not yet confirmed the show will have a fifth season — unusual in the world of animated features, which typically require a longer lead time.
“We’re very hopeful,” said Miller. “We want to have a fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth season, but if we’re not picked up we’ve had four amazing seasons as a top-rated show.”
Rist, got an early lesson in the fleeting nature of Hollywood success when Brady Bunch was cancelled six episodes after he joined the cast in 1974 — giving rise to the term “Cousin Oliver Syndrome.”
“I think entertainment teaches you the Zen practice of non-attachment — you don’t want to love anything too much,” said Rist.
However, Rist believes there are at least two reasons he hopes “Doc McStuffins” will continue.
“I think this thing has incredible legs, “said Rist. “I think this character has a lot to teach kids and adults — I don’t think it’s run its course.”
“Oh, and also I want to have a job,” Rist deadpans.
Miller said she feels “so proud and honored” by the public’s online support.
Rist concurs.
“How incredibly lucky we are to be part of a show that has so many people that believe in it, as much as they do,” he said.
Disney has not yet responded to a request for comment from WTOP about the future of the show.
Begging networks to not cancel shows ain’t my thing but @DisneyJunior has NOT renewed Season 5 of #DocMcStuffins! https://t.co/DDxfOla7Mm
— W. Kamau Bell (@wkamaubell) July 1, 2016
#RenewDocMcStuffins because she inspires the grown up kids too pic.twitter.com/nv5b3sVIaj
— Katherine Wheatle (@DrWheatle2B) July 2, 2016
#RenewDocMcStuffins @DisneyJunior the little child who will one day cure cancer is watching Doc in her/his PJs right now.
— S. (@Dominican_tri) July 2, 2016
"Wow – thanks for all the love and cuddles! As long as there are toys to fix, the Doc will be in!" — #DocMcStuffins pic.twitter.com/ldotHfruNG
— Disney Junior (@DisneyJunior) July 3, 2016
