Scooby-Doo! Online?
So Iâve been think of an idea for a new Scooby-Doo! series. Something that reflects current culture. I know some Scooby fans are purists that will automatically hate any innovation in the franchise, and Iâm sad to say this idea might not be for them.
First of all let me start off by saying that my two favourite productions in the franchise were the direct to video movies starting in the 90âs (specifically Zombie Island and The Witchâs Ghost), and the 2010-2013 Mystery Incorporated series. Both gave legitimate reason for the gang to be seeking out the mysteries they solved. The filming of a reality tv series in the case of the former, and a hobby in the case of the latter. They also feature a slightly more serious tone without completely letting go of the old campy humour (more so the former). More importantly they both featured much more characterisation for the cast than typical adaptations of the earlier characters.
In this modern age of the YouTuber/influencer industry, I like the idea of the gang filming an online web series, where they travel to various locations in search of hauntings which they would attempt to either prove, or more often debunk. I do kind of like the idea of them actually encountering the real thing on occasion, but more often it would turn out to be the typical hoax/crook.
Daphne, Velma, and Fred would be the primary hosts. Daphne would be a Fox Mulder-esque believer, seeking to prove the hauntings are real. Velma would be the Dana Scully-esque sceptic, seeking to uncover the hoax. Fred would be in it for the hunt, seeking to capture the perpetrator either way, not unlike his trap obsessed M.I. counterpart. Shaggy would be the groupâs cameraman and editor, which would explain his presence despite still being his typical cowardly, ghost hating self, giving him more involvement, and raising him above his typical food loving, comic relief history. Not to say that he wouldnât still be a foodie. In fact I like the idea of him having a segment on the web show where heâd talk about the local cuisines in the locations they visit, like a food critic. Scooby would of course be his typical self, acting as Shaggyâs sidekick, helping him with camerawork, and participating in the food segments.
One aspect that might throw long term fans is what Iâd do with the Mystery Machine. First of all, the typical Mystery Machine van would be the Mark 2. The Mystery Machine Mark 1 would be a station wagon that the gang used when they first started out back in high school, which had enough room to store the camera equipment. As they got older and began travelling to farther locations, they realised that they needed more room for luggage, and possibly a place to sleep if they couldnât find or afford a hotel or other accommodations. Thus they upgraded to the van, the Mystery Machine Mark 2, which had more room, and collapsible cots on the inner walls to sleep in. By the time of the series however, the Mystery Machine Mark 2 is becoming cramped because the gang has invested in news van style editing and broadcast equipment so that Shaggy can work on the road, as opposed to once he gets home as before. Thus they are considering upgrading to a larger RV for long distance travel, which they may get within the series time span, and would be the Mystery Machine Mark 3.
As in Mystery Incorporated, I love the idea of seeing characters from old shows returning. In fact, since many episodes would take place in or around their hometown, Iâd love for many of the recurring characters from Mystery Incorporated to appear in the show, including the charactersâ family, teachers (Iâm thinking they could be in college during the show), Sheriff Branson Stone, and Velmaâs âfriendâ Marcie Fleach AKA Hotdog Water. Heck, I even like the idea of a couple members of the âoriginalâ Mystery Inc. appearing on the show as hosts of a similar television series from years earlier, who the gang were fans of and modelled their own show after, and they could act as mentors.
One group I would definitely want to appear would be fan favourites The Hex Girls. In universe they would be a famous band that the gang are fans of. They could occasionally run into the gang, since they like playing in haunted venues, and turn out to be fans of the gang themselves, leading to them getting involved in some cases. They could even be the ones to help the gang acquire the Mystery Machine Mark 3 by gifting (or selling for a deal) them their old tour bus.
