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Dr. Laura Schlessinger

The Religious Affiliation of
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
 

Religion: Jewish (former atheist; temporarily in Orthodox Judaism) CBR Scale: M

Name: Dr. Laura Schlessinger

Other Names: Laura Catherine Schlessinger; Doctor Dora

Classification: real/historical person real/historical person  

Publisher(s): DC

Earliest Appearance Listed in This Database: Joker: Last Laugh #3 (Dec. 2001): "Lunatic Fringe"

Creators: Chuck Dixon, Scott Beatty, Walter McDaniel

Number of Appearances: 22

   Comic Book Appearances: 1

   TV, Film Appearances: 1

   TV, Film Appearances As Herself: 20

Occupation: counselor, radio host

Birth Place: Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Gender: female

Radio show host Dr. Laura Schlessinger is referred to as "Doctor Dora" by Oracle (Barbara Gordon) in panel on page 15 in Joker: Last Laugh (Dec. 2001). This is on page 79 in the Joker: Last Laugh trade paperback.

The situation involves the Joker's prison break of all of the super-villains held at the Slab maximum security facility. The Joker, thinking (mistakenly) that he is dying from an inoperable brain tumor, has decided he needs an heir. He assigns some of the female super-villains under his control to fetch Harley Quinn, which is the closest person to a paramour the Joker. She isn't into the idea however, feeling that having a child with the Joker isn't what she wants because she isn't ready and they aren't even married yet. To avoid being forcibly kidnapped by the villainesses, she calls Oracle (Barbara Gordon) to ask her to send some help.

From a pay phone, Harley Quinn tells Oracle, "My puddin's back in town. And he won't take 'No' for an answer!"

Oracle asks, "You can handle him, can't you, Harley?"

Harley answers, "Not now! I need help!"

Oracle/Barbara Gordon isn't impressed with Harley's plight. After all, Harley has often been the Joker's right hand gal, and the woman seems positively obsessed with the maniacal villain. Oracle probably wonders why she wants to stay away from at this juncture. Oracle tries to defer Harley's request for help, telling her, "Relationship problems? Call Doctor Dora."

By referring to "Doctor Dora" here, Oracle is making a reference to relationship expert Dr. Laura Schlessinger, who hosts a popular radio show on which she provided guidance about relationships and morals. It is not uncommon for popular media, including DC comics, to use pseudonyms when referring to popular real-life personalities. It is probably not legally necessary in this case, but sometimes using pseudonyms helps avoid complications. DC Comics has traditionally done this more than Marvel, which is set more in the "real world" than DC is. It is possible that "Doctor Dora" is simply a pseudonym. It is also possible that Oracle only has a passing familiarity with the "Dr. Laura" show and she mis-recalled the host's name. It is also possible that the DC Universe version of Dr. Laura is actually named "Dr. Dora."


This character is in the following story which has been indexed by this website:
Joker: Last Laugh #3 (Dec. 2001): "Lunatic Fringe" (mentioned)


Suggested links for further research about this character and the character's religious affiliation:
  - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Schlessinger
  - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0772292/
  - http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0091840/
  - https://www.comics.org/issue/291660/
  - http://comicbookdb.com/issue.php?ID=12496