Doctor Who basically admits that the 2024 Christmas episode is based on a 1970s children's TV show

Warning: Spoilers ahead for Doctor Who's “Joy to the World.”

Doctor WhoThe 2024 Christmas special can't help but give a nod to the 1970s children's TV show it's clearly based on. Written by ex Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat, it's no surprise that “Joy to the World” revolves around an intriguing central concept. Moffat was previously responsible for the album “The Weeping Angels”don't blink“reason, the Doctor Who/Time Traveler's Wife crossover of “The Girl in the Fireplace” and the “Doctor steps on a landmine” premise of season 14's “Boom.” In the same vein, “Joy to the World” features the ingenious Time Hotel.

About 2,000 years later Doctor WhoIn the future, London is home to a hotel where each room contains a portal to another era. Guests then dress up in period costumes and vacation in the past, whether it's murder tours, historical events or a dinosaur safari. As with your previous Doctor Who episodes, Moffat uses the story's high concept to create an adventure for the Doctor – in this case, the evil Villengard Corporation exploiting the Time Hotel for nefarious purposes. The Time Hotel may be fun, but the idea is heavily based on Mr Bennand Doctor Who seems to realize this.

Doctor Who Easter Egg pretty much admits 'Joy To The World' is based on Mr Benn

As if by magic, the TARDIS appeared…

Originally a series of books written by David McKee Mr Benn it was later adapted into an animated TV series that debuted in 1971. Each episode involved the titular Mr. Benn visiting his local costume shop, putting on an outfit, and then walking through a magical door into the world the costume came from. If Mr. Benn dressed up as a cowboy, he would visit the Wild West. If Mr. Benn dressed up as a gladiator, he would visit Ancient Rome, etc. Mr Benncostume shop for a hotel, and what you're left with is pretty much the exact premise of Doctor Who2024 Christmas Special.

Doctor Who makes no attempt to hide the similarities between “Joy to the World” and Mr Bennand actually addresses the comparison head on. When Ncuti Gatwa's Fifteenth Doctor is examining the hotel lobby, he notices that guests purchase their costumes from a store called “Mr Benn's Any Era Clothes”. Using the name “Mr Benn” – and for a costume shop no less – is a very clear acknowledgment that “Joy to the World” owes a creative debt to the 1970s cartoon.

The Easter egg goes even deeper, as the store's logo includes a classic bowler hat exactly like the one Mr. Benn would wear before changing his clothes. Even better, the window displays red armor – a loving homage to McKee's first book in the series, Mr. Benn – Red Knight

Doctor Who's 'Mr Benn' Easter Egg Could Reveal What Happens to Anita

Doctor who subtly confirms a happy future for Anita?

Doctor WhoThe “Mr Benn's Any Era Clothes” Easter egg is a very clear reference to Mr Bennbut it could also resolve a key plot point from the episode itself. “Joy to the World” sees the Fifteenth Doctor befriend the manager of the Sandringham Hotel, Anita, as a temporary companion over the course of a year. As reward for putting up with him, the Doctor recommends Anita as a new recruit for the Time Hotel, offering his friend the president an excellent opportunity for a new life. Crucially, though, Anita is listed as “Anita Benn” in the episode’s end credits.

It can't be a coincidence that Anita Benn joins the Time Hotel team and the Time Hotel has a store called “Mr Benn's Any Era Clothes”. Due to the nature of the hotel and its recruitment policy, it is possible that “Mr. Benn”, owner of the hotel's costume shop, is a future descendant of Anita. If so, that would suggest that she lived a happy and fulfilled life after Doctor Who'Joy to the World', starting a family that was happy enough to remain part of the Time Hotel team for generations.