Parents will probably be familiar with "Doc McStuffins,’ the hit animated children’s television series that’s been airing since 2012 on the Disney Channel and Disney Junior.
The series. which is about a girl who can "fix" toys, with help from her stuffed animal friends, has been a solid performer for Disney since its debut, averaging 1.5 to 2 million viewers per episode, and has received generally positive reviews for its concept and the main character, as well as its portrayal of African Americans in a Disney series.
Executive producer Chris Nee describes the series as "Cheers for Preschoolers."
Kiara Muhammad voices the lead character, Doc McStuffins, and she’s joined by Lara Jill Miller as Lambie, Robbie Rist as Stuffy, Loretta Devine as Hallie, Jess Harnell as Chilly, Kimberly Brooks as Dr. Myiesha McStuffins (mother to Doc McStuffins) and Gary Anthony Williams as Marcus McStuffins (Doc McStuffins’ father).
Worth noting, the series also counts several African American writers and animators working on the show, which is a rarity even still today.
Tomorrow night’s episode, titled "Itty Bitty Bess Takes Flight," airing July 23 at 9 AM ET/PT, sees Doc and the toys help a tiny tin airplane pilot named Bess – a historical toy created in the likeness of the famous African American woman pilot, Bessie Coleman – get back into shape after her joints become rusty.
Audra McDonald guest stars as Bess, and, as you’d expect, will sing a tune or two as Coleman.
I received 2 teasers for tomorrow night’s Bessie Coleman episode, which are both embedded below: