The Wednesday Dance Scene: How It Became a Global Phenomenon

In November 2022, a single scene from a Netflix show became the most replicated, referenced, and remixed moment in TikTok history. Wednesday Addams dancing to The Cramps' "Goo Goo Muck" wasn't just a scene—it was a cultural event.

Let's break down why this specific moment captured the world.

The Scene Itself

The Setup: The Rave'N Dance at Nevermore Academy. Wednesday attends reluctantly, dressed in her signature black while everyone else wears color.

The Music: "Goo Goo Muck" by The Cramps (1981)—a goth-punk classic that perfectly matches Wednesday's aesthetic.

The Choreography: Jerky, unconventional, deliberately awkward movements that somehow look incredibly cool. Wednesday doesn't dance like everyone else—she dances like Wednesday.

The Duration: About 45 seconds of actual dancing, but it feels both eternal and too short.

Jenna Ortega's Contribution

Here's what makes this scene even more impressive: Jenna Ortega choreographed it herself.

• She created the routine in about a week
• Drew inspiration from 80s goth club dancing, Lisa Loring (the original Wednesday), Siouxsie Sioux, and Bob Fosse
• Wanted movements that looked "almost painful" and unnatural
• Performed it while sick with COVID (though she didn't know it at the time)

The choreography works because it's character-driven. Wednesday wouldn't do trendy moves. She does whatever unsettles people the most while still being undeniably cool.

The TikTok Explosion

• The #wednesdaydance hashtag accumulated over 1.5 billion views
• "Goo Goo Muck" re-entered charts 41 years after release
• The Cramps saw a 9,000%+ streaming increase
• Countless celebrities, athletes, and regular users recreated the dance

Why It Went Viral: 1. Accessible: The moves aren't technically difficult 2. Distinctive: Immediately recognizable 3. Character-Specific: You're not just dancing—you're being Wednesday 4. Flexible: Works with many different songs 5. Halloween-Ready: Perfect for the spooky season crowd

Lasting Impact

The Wednesday dance changed things:

For Netflix: Demonstrated social media's power to boost shows. The dance drove viewership more than traditional marketing.

For The Cramps: A new generation discovered their music. "Goo Goo Muck" became a gateway to goth rock.

For Choreography: Proved that character-driven movement matters more than technical perfection.

For Jenna Ortega: Cemented her as a creative force, not just an actress following direction.

For TV Dance Scenes: Raised the bar. Future shows will try to replicate this moment—few will succeed.

How to Do the Dance

Want to try it yourself? Key elements:

1. The Arms: Rigid, angular movements. Think robot meets zombie.
2. The Legs: Stomping, not gliding. Each step is deliberate.
3. The Expression: Dead-eyed. Absolutely no smile.
4. The Head: Sharp turns. Stare at nothing.
5. The Attitude: You're not trying to look cool. You ARE cool. There's a difference.

The secret is commitment. Half-hearted attempts look silly. Full commitment looks iconic.