A Pup Named Scooby-Doo - TV-Y

Meet the pre-Mystery Machine Scooby gang.

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Common Sense rates it
3
Seen the show?
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details
  • TV Rating: TV-Y
  • Network: Boomerang
  • Cast: Don Messick, Casey Kasem, Carl Stevens
  • Genre: Children, Cartoons, & Animation
  • >Available On: DVD,Download

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this version of the original Scooby-Doo series features "the gang" as kids. The boys (Shaggy and Freddy) are pretty dumb -- they usually suggest the wrong idea or have no clue what to do. The girls (Velma and Daphne) are the smart ones, and brainy, glasses-wearing Velma always solves the mysteries. Shaggy uses the word "like" in nearly every sentence, and Daphne often insults the boys' stupidity. The silly cartoon violence and monsters in every episode might frighten very young children.

Families can talk about who they think the villain might be as they watch. Is it who you expect it to be? What clues helped you figure it out? Why are Shaggy and Scooby most afraid of the monsters and villains? Freddy is brave, but not very smart -- why does he always blame Red Herring? Why does Velma only talk when she finds a clue? How can Shaggy understand Scooby when he talks?

Message

Social Behavior:

The male characters are dumb and miss obvious clues. The female characters, mainly Velma, have the smarts to solve the mysteries. Some put-downs. Freddie always suspects Red Herring and accuses him of lying.

Consumerism:

Sccoby Snacks (a snack food line marketed to children) motivate Scooby-Doo into action.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

Cartoon violence; chasing, screams, monsters/villains.

Sex

Language

No profanity, but mild put downs and name-calling (ex. "liar-liar pants on fire).

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Audrey Shapiro

A PUP NAMED SCOOBY-DOO is a spin-off of the long-running (and often retooled) animated series Scooby-Doo Where Are You! In this version, which originally ran from 1988-1990 and still airs in repeats (and is available on DVD), the gang is younger -- middle-school-aged -- and can't yet drive the Mystery Machine, so they stumble upon crimes, mysteries, and misgivings in their neighborhood or on vacation. They call themselves The Scooby-Doo Detective Agency and set about solving cases and unmasking villains.

Is it any good?

3

Arguably more irreverent than the original, this Scooby iteration gives the gang similar (if slightly exaggerated) roles as in the original, wrapped up in a comfortable, predictable formula meant to engage young viewers. Shaggy (voiced by Casey Kasem) and his beloved talking pup, Scooby-Doo (Don Messick, in his final performance as Scooby), are still easily frightened when they stumble upon the mystery, crime, or key clues. Freddy (Carl Stevens) tries to solve the mysteries and provides comic relief by always being wrong and always accusing Red Herring (Scott Menville), his nemesis (and a character unique to this series), of being the villain. Daphne (Kellie Martin) is the spoiled rich girl with a butler to bail her out of sticky situations, while Velma (Christine Lange), bookish and quiet, is the brains behind the entire operation and speaks only when she finds a clue and then solves the mystery.

As a tribute to the original series, about midway through each episode, a rock 'n' roll chase scene stops the action. The characters run and dance to music while being chased by the villain or monster. Young kids will appreciate a break in the story and might enjoy dancing and wiggling to the catchy tunes. If cartoons are the junk food of children's television, Scooby-Doo (in all its iterations) is the hot dog. Classic American fare, it's comfortable for parents who grew up consuming it -- harmless fun without much nutritional value.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 2 reviews.

5


Posted on 12/20/06 by Cartoonaholic_Chocoholic Kid contributor, age 14

Funny, Witty, Cartoony...

This is the younger version of Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?. How many times did Cartoon Network do series runs of this? Maybe 100 times. This (and Tom & Jerry (1939)) is not enough for CN, bring back Tom & Jerry Kids (1990), Scooby Doo, Where Are You? (1969), SWAT Kats (1993), Super Globetrotters (1979), Gary Coleman Show (1982), Mr. T (1983), Chuck Norris Karate Kommandos (1986), 2 Stupid Dogs (1993), Gigantor (1962), Voltron (1984), DragonBall Z (1989), Popeye (1930's), and Bob Clampett Show (1940's?) to make this network even.
5

Posted on 11/09/06 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 13

hilarious but for 8 and under.

i loved the show when i was younger and i still do. it rally helps kids with problem solving skills(which they will need in futuer years.) :-)

Adult Reviews

There are 0 reviews.

There are no adult reviews.

Kids Reviews

There are 2 reviews.

5


Posted on 12/20/06 by Cartoonaholic_Chocoholic Kid contributor, age 14

Funny, Witty, Cartoony...

This is the younger version of Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?. How many times did Cartoon Network do series runs of this? Maybe 100 times. This (and Tom & Jerry (1939)) is not enough for CN, bring back Tom & Jerry Kids (1990), Scooby Doo, Where Are You? (1969), SWAT Kats (1993), Super Globetrotters (1979), Gary Coleman Show (1982), Mr. T (1983), Chuck Norris Karate Kommandos (1986), 2 Stupid Dogs (1993), Gigantor (1962), Voltron (1984), DragonBall Z (1989), Popeye (1930's), and Bob Clampett Show (1940's?) to make this network even.
5

Posted on 11/09/06 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 13

hilarious but for 8 and under.

i loved the show when i was younger and i still do. it rally helps kids with problem solving skills(which they will need in futuer years.) :-)
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