SCOOBY-DOO!: A LOOK BACK AT THE FIRST 50 YEARS! - PART 2: BEHIND THE SCENES

[“SCOOBY-DOO!” and the “MYSTERY INC.” crew throughout the years!]

ZOINKS! like welcome back everyone! Last time we talked about “scooby’s” entire T.V. and film career. Now we are going to see how “SCOOBY-DOO” and the “MYSTERY INC.” crew were created!

What you are about to read is an article from the WIKIPEDIA page all about the creation of “SCOOBY-DOO!”:

In 1968, parent-run organizations, particularly ACTION FOR CHILDREN’S TELEVISION (ACT), began protesting what they perceived as excessive violence in Saturday-morning cartoons. Most of these shows were HANNA-BARBERA action cartoons such as “SPACE GHOST”, “THE HERCULIODS” and “BIRDMAN AND THE GALAXY TRIO” and virtually all of them were canceled by 1969 because of pressure from the parent groups. Members of these watchgroups served as advisers to HANNA-BARBERA and other animation studios to ensure that new programs would be safe for children.

FRED SILVERMAN, EXECUTIVE OF DAYTIME PROGRAMING at CBS, was then looking for a show that would both revitalize his Saturday-morning line and please the watch groups. The result was “THE ARCHIE SHOW, based on BOB MONTANA’S teenage humor comic book “ARCHIE”. Also successful were the musical numbers “THE ARCHIES” performed during each program (one of which, "SUGAR, SUGAR", was the most successful BILLBOARD number-one hit of 1969). Eager to build upon this success, Silverman contacted producers WILLIAM HANNA and JOSEPH BARBERA about creating another show based on a teenage rock group, this time featuring teens who solved mysteries between gigs. SILVERMAN envisioned the show as a cross between the popular “I LOVE A MYSTERY RADIO SERIALS” of the 1940s and either the “ARCHIE” characters or the popular early 1960s television series “THE MANY LOVES OF DOBIE GILLIS”.

After attempting to develop his own version of the show, called “HOUSE OF MYSTERY”, BARBERA, who developed and sold Hanna-Barbera shows while HANNA produced them, passed the task along to STORYWRITERS JOE RUBY and KEN SPEARS, as well as ARTIST/CHARACTER DESIGNER IWAO TAKAMOTO. Their treatment, based in part on “THE ARCHIE SHOW”, was titled “MYSTERIES FIVE” and featured five teenagers: “GEOFF”, “MIKE”, “KELLY”, “LINDA”, and “LINDA’S” brother “W.W.”, along with their bongo-playing dog, “TOO MUCH”, who collectively formed the band “MYSTERIES FIVE”. When the “MYSTERIES FIVE” were not performing at gigs, they were out solving spooky mysteries involving ghosts, zombies, and other supernatural creatures. RUBY and SPEARS were unable to decide on whether “TOO MUCH” would be a large cowardly dog or a small feisty one. When the former was chosen, RUBY and SPEARS wrote “TOO MUCH” as a GREAT DANE but revised the dog character to a large SHEEPDOG (similar to “THE ARCHIES’” SHEEPDOG, “HOT DOG”) just before their presentation to SILVERMAN, as RUBY feared the character would be too similar to the comic strip character “MARMADUKE”. SILVERMAN rejected their initial pitch, and after consulting with BARBERA on next steps, got BABERA’S permission to go ahead with “TOO MUCH” being a GREAT DANE instead of a SHEEPDOG.

During the design phase, LEAD CHARACTER DESIGNER TAKAMOTO consulted a studio colleague who was a breeder of GREAT DANES. After learning the characteristics of a prize-winning GREAT DANE from her, Takamoto proceeded to break most of the rules and designed “TOO MUCH” with overly bowed legs, a double chin, and a sloped back, among other abnormalities.

RUBY and SPEARS’ second pass at the show used “DOBIE GILLIS” as the template for the teenagers rather than “ARCHIE” The treatment retained the dog “TOO MUCH”, while reducing the number of teenagers to four, removing the “MIKE” character and retaining “GEOFF”, “KELLY”, “LINDA”, and “W.W.”. As their personalities were modified, so were the characters' names: “GEOFF” became “RONNIE” – later renamed "FRED" (at SILVERMAN’S behest), “KELLY” became "DAPHNE", “LINDA” "VELMA", and “W.W.” "SHAGGY". The teens were now based on four teenage characters from “THE MANY LOVES OF DOBIE GILLIS”: “DOBIE GILLIS”, “THALIA MENNINGER”, “ZELDA GILROY” and “MAYNARD G. KREBS”, respectively.

The revised show was re-pitched to SILVERMAN, who liked the material but, disliking the title “MYSTERIES FIVE”, decided to call the show “WHO’S S-S-SCARED?” SILVERMAN presented “WHO’S S-S-SCARED?” to the CBS executives as the centerpiece for the upcoming 1969–70 season's Saturday morning cartoon block. CBS PRESIDENT FRANK STANTON felt that the presentation artwork was too scary for young viewers and, thinking the show would be the same, decided to pass on it.

Now without a centerpiece for the upcoming season's programming, SILVERMAN had RUBY, SPEARS, and the HANNA-BARBERA staff revise the treatments and presentation materials to tone down the show and better reflect its comedy elements. The rock band element was dropped, and more attention was focused upon “SHAGGY” and “TOO MUCH”. According to RUBY and SPEARS, SILVERMAN was inspired by FRANK SINATRA’S scat “DOO-BE-DOO-BE-DOO” at the end of his recording of "STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT" on a flight to one of the development meetings, and decided to rename the dog “SCOOBY-DOO” and re-rechristen the show “SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU!” The revised show was re-presented to CBS EXECUTIVES, who approved it for production.

And the rest as they say is history!

[In case you haven’t already figured it out yet…] Did you know that “SCOOBY” actually has six “FATHERS”?

They include:

FRED SILVERMAN,

JOSEPH BARBERA AND WILLIAM HANNA [HANNA-BARBERA],

[HANNA-BARBERA WITH “FRED FLINTSTONE”, “YOGI BEAR”, “SCOOBY-DOO” AND “HUCKLEBERRY HOUND”.]

JOE RUBY AND KEN SPEARS [who would later form their own production company called RUBY-SPEARS PRODUCTIONS/ENTERPRISES.]

[RUBY]

[SPEARS]

AND IWAO TAKAMOTO!

[TAKAMOTO]

Did you know that the vocal "SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU! THEME SONG" was not the original theme composed for this series? MUSICAL DIRECTOR TED NICHOLS had originally composed an instrumental theme for the show, which alternates with the the more familiar DAVID MOOK/BEN RALEIGH theme (which was recorded three days before the premiere of the show on September 13, 1969) on the original broadcast prints of the show. NICHOLS incorporated his tune as the main recurring theme for the incidental music score, and a truncated version of it underscores all the episode title cards for both “SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU!”[1969-1970] and “THE NEW SCOOBY-DOO MOVIES” (1972-1973). “SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU!: WHAT A NIGHT FOR A KNIGHT” (September 13, 1969) [The very first episode!] used the “THE NICHOLS INSTRUMENTAL THEME” under the opening credits sequence, with the MOOK/RALEIGH tune for the closing credits. “SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU!: A CLUE FOR SCOOBY-DOO!” (1969) was the only one to feature NICHOLS’ theme for both opening and closing credits. The following episodes used “THE MOOK/RALEIGH THEME” for the opening credits and “THE NICHOLS INSTRUMENTAL THEME” under the closing credits sequence: “SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU!: HASSLE IN THE CASTLE”, “SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU!: WHICH WITCH IS WHICH?” and “SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU!: A NIGHT OF FRIGHT IS NO DELIGHT”. All other episodes used MOOK and RALEIGH’S theme for both opening and closing credits.

[NICHOLS]

[MOOK]

[RALEIGH]

Did you know that FRANK WELKER [“FRED JONES” - 1969-PRESENT AND “SCOOBY-DOO” - 2002-PRESENT] originally wanted to voice “SHAGGY”? That’s right WELKER wanted to audition for the role of “SHAGGY” since he had always been cast as the straight man and wanted to do a comedic character. CASEY KASEM [“SHAGGY ROGERS” 1969-1995 AND 2002-2009] wanted to audition for the role of “FRED” because he claimed he was not a comedic actor.

[WELKER AS “SCOOBY-DOO”, “FRED” and a thousand other characters!]

[KASEM AS “SHAGGY”]

Did you know that KASEM stopped voicing “SHAGGY” because of a 1995 BURGER KING commercial? KASEM had become a vegan during season 2 of “SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU! [1970] and could not in good conscience promote the consumption of hamburgers. He came back to the fold in 2002 when producers made the “SHAGGY” character into a strict vegetarian.

Did you know that DON MESSICK [“SCOOBY-DOO” - 1969-1996], “SCRAPPY-DOO” - 1980-1988] used to perform for the U.S. ARMY?

In 1944, MESSICK joined THE U.S. ARMY, performing for troops as a part of THE SPECIAL SERVICES. MESSICK’S first big break came when he was hired by the MUTUAL BROADCASTING RADIO STATION in LOS ANGELES, where he played “RAGGEDY ANDY” and “FARMER SEEDLING” on the radio series “THE RAGGEDY ANN SHOW”.

[MESSICK AS “SCOOBY-DOO”, “SCRAPPY-DOO” and other HANNA-BARBERA characters.]

And now that we’ve talked three biggest names in the cast, let’s move on to the others!

Did you know that ACTRESS/SINGER INDIRA STEFANIANNA CHRISTOPHERSON [“DAPHNE BLAKE” from “SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU” -SEASON 1, 1969], HADLEY KAY [“SCOOBY-DOO” from the “JOHNNY BRAVO” episodes “BRAVO DOOBY-DOO” and “TWAS THE NIGHT” - 1997-2004], LENNIE WEINRIB [“SCRAPPY-DOO” from “SCOOBY-DOO AND SCRAPPY-DOO” -SEASON 1, 1979] and BILLY WEST [“SHAGGY” from “SCOOBY-DOO! ON ZOMBIE ISLAND” - 1998] spent the least amount of time on the series?

For different reasons, these four ACTORS/ACTRESS never stayed on any longer than that.

[CHRISTOPHERSON]

[KAY]

[WEST]

[WEINRIB]

Did you know that both FRANK WELKER and NICOLE JAFFE [The original voice of “VELMA DINKLEY” - 1969-1974 and 2003] have appeared together in the ELVIS PRESLEY film “THE TROUBLE WITH GIRLS” [1969]?

Don’t believe me? well see for yourself.

There’s your proof! JAFFE with THE KING OF ROCK ‘N ROLL in a scene from the movie. Sorry I couldn’t find a picture of WELKER in that movie…but I did find an image of him with KURT RUSSELL from the 1969 DISNEY comedy “THE COMPUTER WORE TENNIS SHOES”.

[From left to right: RUSSELL, ALEXANDER CLARKE, MICHAEL McGREEVEY AND WELKER]

And the whole “MYSTERY INC.” Acting/Voice Acting crew:

“SCOOBERT “SCOOBY-DOO” DOO”:

1- DON MESSICK [from 1969-1997],

2- HADLEY KAY [from 1997-2004],

3- SCOTT INNES [from 1998-2001. INNES also semi-officially voiced “SCOOBY AND SHAGGY” in video games until 2010.],

[INNES]

4- NEIL FANNING [The voice of the CGI “SCOOBY-DOO” in “SCOOBY-DOO: THE MOVIE” - 2002 and “SCOOBY-DOO 2: MONSTERS UNLEASHED” - 2004 - he also voiced “THE TASMANIAN DEVIL” in this film as well!],

[FANNING]

[CGI “SCOOBY-DOO”]

5- J.P. MANOUX [as “SCOOBY-BRAINIAC” from “SCOOBY-DOO 2: MONSTERS UNLEASHED” - 2004.],

[MANOUX]

6- FRANK WELKER [2002-PRESENT - WELKER will also be reprising his role as “SCOOBY-DOO” in the summer 2020 animated theatrical release “SCOOB”.],

AND 7- DAVID RUDMAN [Puppeteer for “SCOOBY-DOO! ADVENTURES: THE MYSTERY MAP” - “SDA: TMM” - 2013.]

[RUDMAN performing with “SESAME STREET” star “COOKIE MONSTER”.]

“NORVILLE “SHAGGY” ROGERS”:

1- CASEY KASEM [from 1969-1995 and 2002-2009.],

2- DUNCAN ROBERTSON [semi-officially in the 1977 PETER PAN RECORDS read-along audio books - “SCOOBY-DOO! AND THE MYSTERY OF THE RIDER WITHOUT A HEAD”.] [Sorry, but I can’t find an image of him anywhere!],

[The record that robertson appeared in.]

3- BILLY WEST [“SCOOBY-DOO! ON ZOMBIE ISLAND - 1998],

4- SCOTT MENVILLE [“SHAGGY & SCOOBY-DOO GET A CLUE!” - 2006-’08 plus “RED HERRING” from “A PUP NAMED SCOOBY-DOO” - 1988-1991 and other characters from “SCOOBY” related titles including: The second series version of SCOOBY-DOO AND SCRAPPY-DOO” - 1980-’82, “SCOOBY-DOO!: MYSTERY INCORPORATED” - 2010-’13, “SCOOBY-DOO! AND THE GHOUL SCHOOL” - 1988, “SCOOBY-DOO!: CAMP SCARE” - 2010 and “LEGO SCOOBY-DOO!: HAUNTED HOLLYWOOD” - 2016.],

[MENVILLE]

5- SCOTT INNES [THE DTV “SCOOBY MOVIES” - 1999-2001],

6- MATHEW LILLARD [The live-action theatrical - L.A.T. - films from 2002-’04 and the animated version of the role from 2010-PRESENT],

[LILLARD with “SCOOBY”.]

“SCOOBY-DOO 2” CAMEOS

7- CASCY BEDDOW as “YOUNG SHAGGY”,

8- NAZANIN AFSHIN-JAM as “SHAGGY CHICK”,

[AFSHIN-JAM, I’m sorry but I can’t find an image of her real face.]

9- NICK PALATAS [The Live-Action Prequels L.A.P. FILMS FROM 2009-’10],

[PALATAS]

10- ERIC JACOBSON [Puppeteer for “SDA: TMM”.],

[JACOBSON with “SESAME STREET” star “GROVER”.]

11 & 12- IAIN ARMITAGE [“YOUNG SHAGGY”] AND WILL FORTE [“SCOOB”]

[FORTE]

“FRED JONES”:

1- FRANK WELKER [1969-PRESENT],

2- CARL STEVENS [as “FREDDIE JONES” from “A PUP NAMED SCOOBY-DOO” - 1988-1991],

3- FREDDIE PRINZE, JR. [THE L.A.T. FILMS FROM 2002-’04],

[PRINZE, JR. With “VELMA” - LINDA CARDELLINI - and “GRANDMA” - a poorly disguised “SCOOBY-DOO!”]

4- RYAN VRBA [“SD2” cameo as “YOUNG FRED”],

5- CHRIS COX [2004 - Semi-officially from the PC game version of “SCOOBY-DOO 2” - 2004.],

[COX]

6- ROBBIE AMELL [THE L.A.P. FILMS FROM 2009-’10],

[AMELL]

7- JIM WISE [The singing voice for “FRED” in “SCOOBY-DOO!: MUSIC OF THE VAMPIRE” - 2012.],

[WISE]

8- MATT VOGEL [Puppeteer for “SDA: TMM”.],

[VOGEL]

9 & 10- PIERCE GAGNON [“YOUNG FRED”] AND ZAC EFRON [“SCOOB”]

[EFRON]

“DAPHNE BLAKE”:

1- INDIRA STEFANIANNA CHRISTOPHERSON A.C.A. [Also Credited As] INDIRA STEFANIANNA, INDIRA DANKS AND STEFANIANNA CHRISTOPHERSON [1969-’70],

2- HEATHER NORTH A.C.A. HEATHER NORTH KENNEY [1970-’80, ‘83-’86, 1997 - JOHNNY BRAVO: BRAVO DOOBY-DOO - and 2003’s “SCOOBY-DOO! AND THE LEGEND OF THE VAMPIRE” and “SCOOBY-DOO! AND THE MONSTER OF MEXICO” DTV movies.],

[NORTH]

3- KELLIE MARTIN [“A PUP NAMED SCOOBY-DOO!” FROM 1988-1991],

[MARTIN]

4- MARY KAY BERGMAN [1998-200],

5- GREY DELISLE A.C.A. GREY DELISLE-GRIFFIN AND GREY GRIFFIN [2001, 2003-PRESENT],

[GRIFFIN]

6- SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR [THE L.A.T. FILMS FROM 2002-’04],

[GELLAR]

7- EMILY TENNANT [“SD2” cameo as “YOUNG DAPHNE”],

8- KATE MELTON [THE L.A.P.’S FROM 2009-’10],

[MELTON]

9- SARAH JEFFERY [“DAPHNE AND VELMA” - 2018],

[JEFFERY]

ALICE DINNEAN [Puppeteer for “SDA: TMM”.],

[DINNEAN]

10 & 11- MCKENNA GRACE [“YOUNG DAPHNE] and AMANDA SEYFRIED [“SCOOB”]

[SEYFRIED]

“VELMA DINKLEY”:

1- NICOLE JAFFE [1969-1974 AND 2003’S “SCOOBY-DOO! AND THE LEGEND OF THE VAMPIRE” AND “SCOOBY-DOO! AND THE MONSTER OF MEXICO” DTV MOVIES.],

[JAFFE]

2- PATRICIA “PAT” STEVENS [1976-’79],

[STEVENS]

3- MARLA FRUMKIN A.C.A. MARLA FRUMPKIN SCOTT, MARLA SCOTT AND MARLA FINN [1979-’84],

[FRUMKIN]

4- CHRISTINA LANGE [“A PUP NAMED SCOOBY-DOO!” FROM 1988-’91],

[LANGE]

5- B.J. WARD [Semi-officially in 1997’S “JOHNNY BRAVO: BRAVO DOOBY-DOO” crossover episode and officially from 1998-2002.],

6- MINDY COHN [2002-2015],

[COHN]

7- KRYSTAL A.C.A. KRYSTAL HARRIS, KRYSTAL MARIE HARRIS-PETERSON, KRYSTAL PETERSON AND MISS KRYSTAL [The singing voice of “VELMA” in “SCOOBY-DOO! AND THE LEGEND OF THE VAMPIRE” - 2003],

[HARRIS]

8- BETS MALONE [The singing voice of “VELMA” in “SCOOBY-DOO!: MUSIC OF THE VAMPIRE” - 2012],

[MALONE]

9- STEPHANIE D’ABRUZZO [Who was both the VOICE ACTOR and PUPPETEER PERFORMER for “VELMA” in “SDA: TMM”.],

[D’ABRUZZO with “VELMA”.]

10- KATE MCUCCI [2015-PRESENT],

[MCUCCI]

11- LINDA CARDELLINI [THE L.A.T. FILMS FROM 2002-2004],

[CARDELLINI]

12- LAUREN KENNEDY [“SD2” CAMEO AS “YOUNG VELMA”],

13- HAYLEY KIYOKO [THE L.A.P. FILMS FROM 2009-’10],

[KIYOKO]

14- SARAH GILMAN [“DAPHNE AND VELMA” - 2018],

[GILMAN]

15- TRISHA GUM [Who was the co-director and the voice of “VELMA” in “THE LEGO MOVIE 2: THE SECOND PART” - 2019],

[GUM]

16 & 17- ARIANA GREENBLATT [“YOUNG VELMA”] AND GINA RODRIGUEZ [“SCOOB”]

[RODRIGUEZ]

THE “YOUNG MYSTERY INCORPORATED” TEAM FROM “SCOOBY-DOO 2” [Because I couldn’t a shot of them seperately. see previous spots on the list for their indevidual names.]

[I’m sorry but I can’t find any images of the young “SCOOB” actors.]

And just because I want to…….

“SCRAPPY-DOO”:

1- LENNIE WEINRIB [1979-’80],

2- DON MESSICK [1980-’88],

3- SCOTT INNES [“SCOOBY-DOO: THE MOVIE” - 2002]

AND 4- J.P. MANOUX [As 2002 “SCRAPPY’S” monstrous alter-ego, “SCRAPPY-REX”, also in “SCOOBY-DOO: THE MOVIE”.]

[Good luck going to sleep with that image in your head tonight!]

While we are on the subject, here’s another [but edited] wikipedia article all about the creation of “SCRAPPY-DOO!”:

Though “SCRAPPY” officially debuted in fall of 1979, there may have been hints of his existence in 1969. The idea of “SCRAPPY” actually may not have been all that new to the series, as he "...bore a resemblance to Spears's and Ruby's initial idea for a feisty little dog", which was one of the early ideas for the “SCOOBY-DOO” character himself, along with the "big cowardly dog" ultimately chosen. Hints of Scrappy can also be seen in the fact that there were originally six members of mystery inc planned-”MIKE”, “KELLY”, “LINDA”, “GEOFF” and “TOO MUCH”. It is unknown if one of the personalities was analogous to “SCRAPPY”, or which one it would have been. The character was created by JOSEPH BARBERA and developed by writer MARK EVANIER, who has acknowledged that Scrappy's personality was largely based on that of the “LOONEY TUNES” character “HENERY HAWK”.

Scrappy’s creation officially began in the year of 1978, when Scooby’s ratings were sinking to the point of cancellation threats from ABC. There was only one remaining show slot left, which would either go to “SCOOBY” or a pilot from RUBY-SPEARS ENTERPRISES. BARBERA created “SCRAPPY” as a “new element” to restore the network’s interest in the show. After various staff members, including BARBERA, took some shots at writing the character, which the network found unsatisfactory, BARBERA went to EVANIER, who wrote for the rival pilot to give a shot at writing “SCRAPPY’S” “PILOT”. EVANIER agreed, and BARBERA and the EXECUTIVES were satisfied with the results, and by extension “SCRAPPY”, and chose “SCOOBY” over the rival pilot, irritating EXECUTIVE PRODUCER JOE RUBY.

MEL BLANC was the first choice to voice “SCRAPPY”, given his connection to “HENERY HAWK”, but wanted too much money to voice the part. The second consideration was actor FRANK WELKER, who coined the catchphrase "Puppy Power" during his audition. He would later change this to "Monkey Muscle" for the similar “DONKEY KONG JR.” character he would voice for TV's “SATURDAY SUPERCADE” The next choice was DON MESSICK, who was seen as giving the best audition, but still deemed "the wrong voice". Afterwards, other well-known cartoon voice artists were considered or suggested: DAWS BUTLER, PAUL WINCHELL, MARILYN SCHREFFER, HOWARD MORRIS, DICK BEALS and MARSHALL EFRON. Ultimately, LENNIE WEINRIB was chosen, and after the first season, MESSICK became the final voice for the rest of the series' run after WEINRIB asked for a higher salary. Welker auditioned to voice Scrappy as a dual role during the character's development before Hanna-Barbera settled on weinrib, but kept WELKER’S ad-lib and worked it into several scripts.

After his addition to the show proved to be a ratings success, HANNA-BARBERA restructured the show as a means of rebooting the franchise, focusing more on “SCOOBY”, “SHAGGY” and “SCRAPPY”. The original format of four teenagers and their dog(s) solving faux-supernatural mysteries for a half-hour was eschewed for simpler, more comedic adventures which involved real supernatural villains (the villains in previous “SCOOBY” episodes were almost always regular humans in disguise). “SCRAPPY” remained an integral part of the “SCOOBY-DOO!” franchise, on both TV and in “SCOOBY-RELATED” licensed products and merchandising, through the end of the 1980s.

Well folks thanks for joinning me today. Now if you’ll excuse i’m gonna go eat some “SCOOBY SNACKS”, bye! “SCOOBY DOOBY-DOO!”