“…and I would have gotten away with it, too, if it hadn't been for you meddling kids!"

Scooby Doo is the longest running cartoon show on television. It began in 1969, originated by American animation studio, Hanna-Barbera.

When they first presented the idea to CBS, executives were afraid that the show might be too frightening to children. It featured four teenagers and a dog investigating paranormal activities, ghosts, monsters, haunted houses and like that.

Fred Silverman, then the head of children's programming at CBS, had the idea of making the dog the main character and naming him Scooby Doo after a line from Frank Sinatra’s, Strangers in the night. This was the comedy touch that the show needed.

Once again a dog saves the day.

The teenagers were Fred, the tall handsome leader who was named after Fred Silverman; Daphne, the pretty airhead who was always getting captured and tied up (although she did get smarter as the series went on); Velma, the brainy one (you can tell the brainy ones because they wear glasses); and Shaggy, a slacker, the owner of Scooby.

Shaggy and Scooby were “courage challenged” which added the comedy touch to the series.

In each show the group would arrive at a place where something supernatural was terrorizing everyone. Through the show they were able to prove that it was all a hoax by finding the villain and having him arrested and taken to jail.

At which point he would say “…and I would have gotten away with it, too, if it hadn't been for you meddling kids!"

Scooby Doo, a  Great Dane, is lovable and vulnerable. Unlike Lassie or Rin Tin Tin, Scooby is somewhat cowardly which has made him a favorite character with children who can identify with his fears. Both Scooby Doo and Shaggy would rather eat than solve mysteries, but they remain loyal to their friends.

Through the years some of Scooby’s annoying relatives appeared in the cartoons, making viewers wish there were a dog pound for cartoon dogs.

Comments

[Alyssa]

Aw, I just watched an episode of this tonight. My young niece is getting into these, and I always get a kick out of them. Tonight's ep was about a mummy who could turn people to stone.

[Poodle lover]

I loved watching Scooby as a child! Scoobydoobydoo!!
tinytexasteacups.blogspot.com

[jet]

I never knew Scooby was a Great Dane! Dur! What other dog would be that big? And that wussy! And that food motivated! ;)

[Pup Fan]

I did always love Scooby. :)

[jackie]

one of my friends had a dog named scooby..dumbest dog ever..

[threecollie]

Remember fondly rushing in from the school bus to was Scooby Doo

[Kristine]

I was never a Scooby fan, I will admit. I don't know why as I loved many other canine cartoons. Maybe he just wasn't dog-like enough for me?

[Clive]

Murray loves Scooby! Meeting him was one of his highlights last year in Universal. The whole Scooby gang were brillant with Murray and spent ages talking with him and having photos taken with Murray.

[georgia little pea]

i can;t remember watching much Scooby Doo. a dog pound for cartoon dogs hehe ;p

[Herbalife]

I watched it with my family members. Everybody enjoyed watching it.

[Anne]

I think kids enjoy being just a bit scared.

[Karen Friesecke]

I HATED Scrappy Doo! I stopped watching the show after he came on the scene.

[lauren]

oh man, desmond is so much like scooby. my husband even got me a scooby-doo chia pet for christmas in his honor. :-)