In the early 1980's, Hanna-Barbera experimented with the Scooby-Doo franchise by sending Fred, Velma, & Daphne on a lengthy hiatus, putting the emphasis squarely on Scooby & Shaggy (along with Scrappy-Doo). A lot of fans are not very fond of this period in Scooby's history, largely because of Scrappy's presence, but also because they got away from the traditional format in favor of slapstick comedy.
In 2006, Warner Bros., having learned very little from the previous experiment, decided to send Fred, Velma, & Daphne away again, but not too far this time. The trio would only be recurring cameo players in Shaggy & Scooby-Doo Get a Clue, which spent two seasons on the CW.
The plot this time has Shaggy (Scott Menville) inheriting a fortune from his supposedly deceased uncle, Albert Shaggleford (Casey Kasem, who seemed to have a monopoly on Shaggy's relatives). This allows Shaggy to upgrade the Mystery Machine into a high-tech morphing vehicle, kind of like the Chan Clan's Chan Van more than 30 years earlier. There's also an ongoing villain, Dr. Phineas Phibes (Jeff Bennett), who wants Shaggleford's nano-tech technology for his own nefarious schemes. Phantomdarknes uploaded the open:
The flash animation doesn't fit Scooby and Shaggy at all. Also, Shaggy has discarded his signature green shirt, which to hardcore Scoobaholics may have been a major turnoff.
This marked the first series in which Casey Kasem wasn't voicing Shaggy, although he continued to essay the part in the direct-to-video movie series until last year, when he passed the mic over to Matthew Lillard. Menville's characterization as Shaggy, like previous would-be heirs to the role (Billy West & Scott Innes), wasn't solid. Like, he tried, but the faithful weren't buying.
Rating: D.
14 comments:
Oh where to begin!
The flash animation was the biggest turn off and I couldn't help but wonder why the rest of the gang couldn't be regulars in this show.
It was good however that Shaggy and Scooby got to step up for the first time and foil Dr. Phibes' nefarious plans.
The theme song was about as obnoxious as the animation.
The flash animation was the reason that I wasn't that big on the show, really. Too bad Shag & Scoob couldn't be that brave a lot more often, like in the current series......
That show sucked anyway.
Apparently, WB & Cartoon Network agree with you, Steven, since it hasn't seen the light of day since it was cancelled.
This was the show that totally raped the franchise.
But the franchise recovered, didn't it?
Yes.
And now we have to wait until next year for the next Scooby series (Be Cool, Scooby-Doo), which is already getting negative reviews for the character designs.
What did you think of the 2002 movie? I thought it was great.
I have often stated in various commentaries that the movie played to the internet by making Scrappy the villain, and subsequent series have continued this ideology. This is wrong on several levels, since Scrappy, as time wore on, matured, but the haters would rather focus on his early years (1979-83), and ignore his more positive contributions. Remember too that the three TV-movies (1987-8) was a resumption of the slapstick comedy format from 1980-3.
You mean you actually HATED the 2002 movie?
No, I didn't totally hate it, I read between the lines of the idea of making Scrappy the big bad. They could've done better.
So you liked the movie? I did too.
I was on the fence. Gave it 2 1/2 stars. The sequel was actually better.
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