On Sunday, Jodie Whittaker was announced as the next Doctor Who (and yes, I can say “the next Doctor Who” because he was called “Doctor Who” in the credits through Tom Baker’s run at least), and I wanted to capture my daughter, Wednesday, reacting to the news. I posted the video on Twitter, and it went viral. Because I’ve now licensed it through a media company (because my phone was ringing nonstop and the requests from media outlets were overwhelming me), I’m not sure I can even share it here without paying for it, but you can see her reaction in this clip from BBC Breakfast. She’s the one screaming “The new Doctor is a girl!”:
Anyway, since then, my twitter has exploded. As of right now, the original tweet has been favorited 72,000 times and retweeted 20,000 times. I just did a live interview on BBC radio. This has blown up wildly.
Because of that, there are probably some people just now finding this blog through various channels, and you’re likely looking for Doctor Who related stuff. So, here is a list of Doctor Who posts I’ve made in the past:
- Peter Capaldi wishing me a happy birthday
- My 20th Who-nniversary
- Motivational Doctors pt. 1
- Motivational Doctors pt. 2
- My American Girl doll gets a Doctor Who cosplay costume to match mine.
- My cousin D-Rock and I take a Doctor Who survey
Maybe start with the 20th Who-nniversary post and go from there? I don’t know, I’m not going to tell you how to live your life.
Anyway, it’s been a whirlwind of commotion over here. If you found me because of the video, awesome, welcome! Poke around at things. I say occasionally funny stuff that you might enjoy. Or, consider trying one of the many books I’ve written, located in the “Read Jenny’s Books” link above.
Your daughter is adorable (and looks just like you so cute! It’s like I can see what you looked like as a kid!!!)
Wednesday is pretty much all over the UK online news outlets! All of the articles are very positive. She is so cute and looks very like you. The forums and Guardian Newspaper threads are full of righteous ‘snowbro’ – as one woman called them – butthurt about Jodie’s casting. It’s gleeful to read! I will miss Peter C though and Bill and Nardole. I wish they had all done one more season. But I wish Jodie’s the very best!
Hey Jenny,
Tell your daughter she looks beautiful. I read your tweets everyday and your blog too. It is depressing to see people spewing nonsense and hatred at a child and you but I love your responses to those idiots. Keep rocking girl.
M
Is there a copy of the BBC Radio interview anywhere on the intertubes where we can listen to it?
As a lapsed Whovian (I tuned out during Matt Smith’s run, and came back to the fold for the last series with Peter Capaldi), I’ve decided that I’m reserving judgement on Jodie Whitaker’s season until I see how the writers handle her character.
In the past, I feel that the show has squandered the talents of some of its actors, through weak story-lines or lazy writing. Especially when it comes to female characters. That seems endemic to Moffat, though, and I’m hoping the new show-runner will avoid those pitfalls.
With so many sexist jerks already waiting with baited breath for a female Doctor to fail, what would really let this down for me would be if they changed The Doctor’s character to reflect stereotypes around her gender.
That said, if the script doesn’t contain the line “Time waits for no man” / “I AM NO MAN!”, then what are they even doing?