ROCKS 12A: Scooby Doo Where Are You

WELCOME EVERYBODY TO THE FIRST DISCUSSION IN THE TWELFTH STRAND OF "R.O.C.K.S." - REWATCHING OLD CLASSIC KIDS SHOWS!
A big thanks to everyone that are joining us through all of this.

This set of threads will focus on the various incarnations of Scooby Doo over the years. This week we're looking at the very first series, "Scooby Doo Where Are You?" which commenced all the way back in 1969. That's quite a long time for any franchise, and it's even more remarkable when you factor in that the character of Fred is still being voiced by the same actor now as then - the legendary Frank Welker no less!

Mark M has picked some episodes for us:

- A Night Of Fright Is No Delight
- Haunted House Hang Up
- Go Away Ghost Ship

Just a friendly reminder to everyone that, whilst fans are obviously welcome to passionately discuss and give their views on these episodes, please remember to keep things on a friendly footing and respect your fellow posters.
Also, please do not post where or how to find the full episode online. And do not post asking others to PM it to you. You are however allowed to watch the show in whatever manner you want.

I definitely remember Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?

I watched the episodes, and I don't think I've seen much of this early series before. I know I've seen one or two, but they didn't ring any bells.

It was interesting seeing where it all started. Also an eye-opener in that sometimes they did split up into pairs. I always remembered it as Shaggy & Scooby (and Scrappy when he was there) going one way while Fred, Daphne and Velma went the other. Not always the case in this series. I guess that part of the formula didn't take root until later on.

Another thing I didn't remember was the laughter track. I'm not sure that was a good idea, but it's not too harmful so I'll let it pass.

Of course, we all know the basic formula of the gang investigating a "ghost" and it turns out to be a person pretending to be a ghost. Usually with a financial motive. The fact that there's never a choice of suspects though does make it a bit obvious, and that for me is a weakness. "Haunted House Hangup" offers a little more diversity, in that we first see them unmask someone who hasn't been seen in the episode yet, and then the real baddie ghost comes along again and is unmasked as the one other person we've seen.

This could definitely have been improved by the addition of suspects.

I really enjoyed all these episodes.
It would be hard to pick a favourite of these three episodes but I think ''A Night Of Fright Is No Delight''. The Bouregaurd name and leaving an inheritance is a theme that would later feature as part of the plot of the Scooby Doo movie ''Scooby Doo Meets The Boo Brothers'' although interestingly the Boureguard in question is Shaggy's relative.
Haunted House Hang Up and A Night of Fright is No Delight also have a few influences from ''House On Haunted Hill'' and ''Then There Were Fewer''.
Go Away Ghost Ship is fun but is quite the standard formulaic Scooby episode.

@Liam I think the laughter track may have been regional. Perhaps just in the US? But I kind of recall seeing some episodes with it.
Coincidently on my DVD the episodes do not have a laughter track.

I noticed Fred Welker sounds very young in these episodes.

It's really cool how Scooby Doo's popularity has endured over the decades by keeping getting reinvented but still maintaining the various aspects and formula that has made it successful and appeal to it's audience.
If only we could cover more of the various shows but if we did we would be talking about Scooby Doo every week for the next few months lol.

Next up will be the late 80's show A Pup Named Scooby Doo.

Frank Welker's voice hasn't really changed that much as Fred. It's a testament to how good he is that he's been able to do that same voice for almost half a century and still sound the same.