“Doc McStuffins” is a new animated show for the Disney Junior channel, and is it any wonder that it’s a big hit (check out all the rave comments from parents on Twitter—#DocMcStuffins) when it came right from the heart of executive producer Chris Nee?
Nee created the show in response to son Theo’s diagnosis of asthma when he was a toddler, as a soothing antidote to the anxiety he felt over visits to doctors and hospitals.
Hollywood, Health & Society and its director, Sandra de Castro Buffington, were given a wonderful opportunity to work with “Doc McStuffins,” serving as a consultant from the show’s inception and participating in the first planning meeting with Nee and other Disney executives, writers, producers and animators. ➻Watch an interview with Nee and Buffington here.
After consulting with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Buffington developed a list of priority health topics relevant to the young viewing audience of 2- to 7-year-olds, then pitched these topics to the writing and production team, who incorporated many of them into the first season of programming. Over the following months, HH&S connected Doc McStuffins writers with medical experts on topics that ranged from bone fractures to swimming safety.
In a recent blog by GeekDad on Wired magazine’s website, Jim MacQuarrie writes: “Under the consultancy of the Hollywood Health & Society division of the USC Annenberg Norman Lear Center, Doc McStuffins highlights the importance of taking care of oneself and others, while showcasing the hallmarks of great Disney storytelling—fantasy and wish fulfillment.”
For more on the magic of “Doc McStuffins” and Hollywood, Health & Society’s help with the show, read Buffington’s blog.
Above: Hollywood, Health & Society Director Sandra de Castro Buffington (left) and “Doc McStuffins” creator Chris Nee during an interview.