Scooby Doo is a fundamental part of American culture. There are thirteen TV shows and more than forty Scooby Doo films. In comparison, Taylor Swift, who ostensibly saved the U.S economy, has only appeared in eleven shows. The canine star Scooby Doo, on the other hand, has inspired a generation of horror/humor writers and has been an American staple for decades.
Writers Joe Ruby and Ken Spears created the first blueprints of the gang. They pitched the original ‘mystery gang’, known as Mysteries 5 which consisted of Geoff, Mike, Kelly, Linda, and W.W. Their dog’s name was Too Much, who was supposed to be a sheepdog. Luckily, Fred Silverman, one of the most influential TV executives of all time, thought the gang could be revamped. It was his genius that created the original characters of Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby Doo. He made the Great Dane the star of the show in the original Scooby series, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! (1969). This is the most popular Scooby Doo series of all time. It had spunky characters, a spooky themed mystery, and that signature-cartoon goofiness too. The formulaic structure of every episode created an iconic branding for the gang. There was always a real life person hiding in a supernatural monster costume, and during the big reveal, the bad guy would always say, “if it weren’t for you meddling kids…”. Despite the predictable plot structure, all the imaginative settings and characters were masterfully crafted to appeal to both young and old alike.
The original Scooby Doo series has received the most critical acclaim over the years, but several later series have made impressions on the public, while others have just been a flash in the pan. Among them, Scooby Doo! Mystery Incorporated stands as the most complex series, with a darker, deeper storyline than the others. What made this show even more unique, was the overarching storyline that expanded across every episode. Each individual mystery contributed to revealing a sliver of the town’s grand mystery. Unlike Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, this show contained a more frightening and grim animation style and tone.
It’s clear how deeply Scooby Doo is rooted in our society. At Winco, several snacks are shaped like Scooby Doo including gummies, crackers, and pasta. On Halloween, there’s always a Velma strolling down the streets. Scooby Doo is deeply ingrained in every individual. The characters are static and archetypal. There’s a little bit of Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and even Scooby Doo in every one of us.
