"Scooby-Doo - Mystery, Inc." News & Discussion Thread

[Nickle98499]

I think they should have brought them back for the Boo Bros. That would have been good, just like old times, and the last hurrah of the gang in the original animation and design style. And it was only one story, so there should have been no problem with casting or keeping the roles alive.

Yeah, I agree too; I mean if Casey Kasem and Don Messick could come back for three movies, Heather North and Frank Welker could have come back for one movie, thing is: who would you have gotten to voice Velma? Pat Stevens, Maria Frumkin(sp?), or B.J. Ward? Because B.J. did a voice in one of the three syndicated movies(Reluctant Werewolf) I would have picked her myself.

 

[Eric B]

This is a rather random thought, but I always thought that Mindy Cohn's Velma in this show greatly reminds me of "The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy." Except Velma is not as rude or sarcastic (seems the sarcastic devil-may-care Velma only exists when Mindy Cohn voices her). But Mandy's voice actually sounds quite a bit like Mindy Cohn, IMO, even though it's actually Grey DeLisle doing the voice.

Wow; come to think of it, Cohn's Velma does sound a lot like Mandy. Surprised I didn't think of that!

Yeah, I agree too; I mean if Casey Kasem and Don Messick could come back for three movies, Heather North and Frank Welker could have come back for one movie, thing is: who would you have gotten to voice Velma? Pat Stevens, Maria Frumkin(sp?), or B.J. Ward? Because B.J. did a voice in one of the three syndicated movies(Reluctant Werewolf) I would have picked her myself.

Not Stevens, because she changed the spirit of the character too much, and the other voices save BJ Ward, were slight improvements over her. The only thing she had was the same "twang" or forced inflection in her voice that sounded like Jaffe. Otherwise, it just was not the same.

I was thinking, since Kellie Martin was to join the cast the following season (as a young Daphne who has all of Velma's wit), she would have been good for it!
Or maybe even to get Cohn back then, when she was younger, and would have had more of the girlish sound like Jaffe.

I had been thinking, I would rather have had Cohn back then (instead of Frumkin), and Martin in the present shows and DTV's. (except for the ones where Jaffe came back, of course).

 

[Nickle98499]

Wow; come to think of it, Cohn's Velma does sound a lot like Mandy. Surprised I didn't think of that!


Not Stevens, because she changed the spirit of the character too much, and the other voices save BJ Ward, were slight improvements over her. The only thinng she had was the same "twang" or forced inflection in her voice that sounded like Jaffe. Otherwise, it just was not the same.

I was thinking, since Kellie Martion was to join the cast the following season (as a young Daphne who has all of Velma's wit), she would hav been good for it!
Or maybe even to get Cohn back then, when she was younger, and would have had more of the girlish sound like Jaffe.

I had been thinking, I would rather have had Cohn back then (instead of Frumkin), and Martin in the present shows and DTV's. (except for the ones where Jaffe came back, of course).

With Kellie Martin doing Life Goes on at the same time, or around the same time, maybe she might not have been able to do Scooby Doo until 1988; I never thought about having Mindy Cohn do Scooby back then, she might have worked.

Although because she was doing another show, in this case The Facts Of Life, maybe she wouldn't have been able to Scooby Doo either; but maybe she could have, maybe if the producers tried to get Kellie or Mindy for Scooby Doo back then, Velma could have been in Boo Brothers or 13 Ghosts of Scooby Doo, you never know.

 

[RonDrakenfan17]

I'd LOL If they brought in Scrappy, he's one of the least liked Scooby characters to this date.

 

[Daffyfan2003]

This is a rather random thought, but I always thought that Mindy Cohn's Velma in this show greatly reminds me of "The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy." Except Velma is not as rude or sarcastic (seems the sarcastic devil-may-care Velma only exists when Mindy Cohn voices her).

Yeah. I thought of that too, but Mindy's Velma's personality wasn't that bad until this series. I see what you're saying though, it seems like B.J. Ward and the previous Velma voices made her much more mellow than she is now. You can't really blame Mindy, it's more of how the writers are portraying her.

Not Stevens, because she changed the spirit of the character too much, and the other voices save BJ Ward, were slight improvements over her. The only thing she had was the same "twang" or forced inflection in her voice that sounded like Jaffe. Otherwise, it just was not the same.

I disagree there. I sort of liked Stevens as Velma. I think I've grown used to it overtime because as I kid a mostly watched the 70s series. Though, I do agree with you that Frumkin's Velma didn't work. It would have been a good idea if they would have had Cohn or Ward back then.

 

[BrendaBat]

It may be too late to do this for the first season of Mystery Incorporated; but I really hope that some good female writers are hired to work on this show eventually (if only as consultants). I hate to sound sexist, but I can tell that the writers of this show are all men without even glancing at IMBD. And it's clear that none of those men understand how to create a balanced female character (especially when romance is involved).
This show is seriously making me re-think my stance on affirmative action (at least when it comes to the hiring of cartoon writers).
[/end feminist rant]

....sorry about that. Still kinda bummed that The Secret Serum revealed that Velma's entire sense of self-worth depends on Shaggy finding her attractive and that no one else's opinions matter to her.

 

[magicdog]

Still kinda bummed that The Secret Serum revealed that Velma's entire sense of self-worth depends on Shaggy finding her attractive and that no one else's opinions matter to her.

I'm curious how you came to this conclusion because I don't see that at all.

All women at all ages want to feel they are attractive to the opposite sex. When you're in a relationship - (and if you're a teenaged girl) you want to know about that even more.

Velma was dumped by Shaggy for his dog. If any woman found herself in a similar position, it's really bound to damage her psyche. Velma is bitter over recent events and I wouldn't blame her for that; it's also awkward to still be hanging with someone who was your boyfriend and are expected to pretend his humiiliation of you wasn't that big a deal and that you're "still friends".

If you'll notice Shaggy doesn't seem all that phased by the events of his breakup with Velma. He doesn't appear to be pining for her the way Velma still does. He didn't get jealous like Fred did when the girls were mooning over their teacher. Velma seems far from his mind (so far anyway).

I really hope that some good female writers are hired to work on this show eventually (if only as consultants). I hate to sound sexist, but I can tell that the writers of this show are all men without even glancing at IMBD.

It's true men seem to outnumber women writers - especially for scripts for animated shows, but I don't mind it. Sure women would be writing some things differently but forcing the presence of women to write for any show/studio is not the answer. I'd rather have Scooby fans (regardless of gender) be in charge of the series. It was reverence for Scooby that gave us "Bravo Dooby Doo" and it's reverence that is giving us this series (with all the mythology gags and lampshading ).

I do agree with you that Frumkin's Velma didn't work. It would have been a good idea if they would have had Cohn or Ward back then.

It's hard to say what was going on in the minds of the Powers That Be at that point in time. Mindy Cohn was still a teen back then (the Facts of Life series began in circa 1979) and I don't think was doing VA work yet either. BJ ward might never have been considered; since Velma, Freddy and Daphne were dropped from the show shortly thereafter, there seemed no point in worrying about a voice for her (Velma was completely mute for the last ep, "The Ransom of Scooby Chief").

 

[moo92]

I have to agree with magicdog here. But having female writers could have helped with this relationship chaos. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1660055/ I can't see who the writers are here.

I find it weird how Shaggy is not phased by his break up with Velma. He did not even do/say anything when she was crying. And its Scooby who is trying to fix the friendship between him and Velma not Shaggy at all. It makes me wonder why/how they got together in the first place.

 

[magicdog]

I find it weird how Shaggy is not phased by his break up with Velma. He did not even do/say anything when she was crying. And its Scooby who is trying to fix the friendship between him and Velma not Shaggy at all. It makes me wonder why/how they got together in the first place

I noticed this also. It could make the case that it was Velma's idea all along to initiate a romantic relationship with Shaggy - but we won't know for sure unless we see a flashback or something mentioned in passing.

I also wonder why it's Scooby of all people trying to mend fences. Not that he shouldn't, but that Shaggy should be the one trying to improve relations with Velma. As I mentioned in my previous post he didn't seem upset over the girls mooning over their teacher like Fred was and we don't seem to see him upset over his decision to break up with Velma. Does he even miss her like she misses him? Does he ever think maybe he could have done things differently?


On a different note, I've seen the CN premiere page for November and unfortunately there's nothing new all month long for Mystery Inc. Curse you CN!!

 

[moo92]

I noticed this also. It could make the case that it was Velma's idea all along to initiate a romantic relationship with Shaggy - but we won't know for sure unless we see a flashback or something mentioned in passing.

I also wonder why it's Scooby of all people trying to mend fences. Not that he shouldn't, but that Shaggy should be the one trying to improve relations with Velma. As I mentioned in my previous post he didn't seem upset over the girls mooning over their teacher like Fred was and we don't seem to see him upset over his decision to break up with Velma. Does he even miss her like she misses him? Does he ever think maybe he could have done things differently?


On a different note, I've seen the CN premiere page for November and unfortunately there's nothing new all month long for Mystery Inc. Curse you CN!!

Good questions.

I heard that an episode might be on the 15th. But I could be wrong.

 

[SpiderScooby]

Good questions.

I heard that an episode might be on the 15th. But I could be wrong.

Nope. According to the CN schedule, The Shrieking Madness is re-airing on the 15th.

 

[RonDrakenfan17]

Maybe it was Velma who started the relationship? If Shaggy was the one surly he'd feel sad? Maybe Shaggy was all hey what the heck, after seeing how bossy she was. Now feels its all for the better that there relationship has ended? Just some ideas. Wonder why they won't show how Shaggy and Velma got together?

 

[Collie]

Then again, we can always open the debate that Mr. E isn't working alone and there's multiple people helping him pull these sorts of things.

Or there may not be 'a' Mr. E. It could be a small committee, and they use a voice synthesizer to record the messages that they send to the gang.

...

What if Mr. E is actually Mystery Incorporated, the original gang? That makes the group's name even more appropriate somehow, since there's four of them acting as one. Mr. E, Incorporated.

 

[glt1000]

I don't know how deep I want to delve into the relationship business, as I find it more a distraction than a selling point for the series, but I guess there are several points I can offer.

I noticed this also. It could make the case that it was Velma's idea all along to initiate a romantic relationship with Shaggy...

It seems quite clear that Velma is the one that wants this relationship with Shaggy. She is seen several times pushing for time alone, and initiating intimacy. (A nice way of stating it on an all ages forum, no?) Most of the time Shaggy is shown as dragging his heels. Initially, I can easily see Shaggy taking the approach of "Hey, I'm not that interested, but an attractive gal is into me, so why not? Besides, I value Velma as a friend and Gang member, and don't want to make her mad. So as long as it doesn't cost me anything..."

Unfortunately, from Shaggy's point of view, this relationship started to cost. Velma was making demands on him that he was not comfortable with. (Whether those demands were reasonable or not really doesn't matter.) Finally, he did what should have been done from the beginning, and told Velma that he did not share the same feelings she did.

No one likes rejection, and the only thing worse is public, humiliating rejection. As people learn as they mature, your enemies can't hurt you, because you don't care what they think, and you expect the worse. It is the people you care about that can hurt you. Unfortunately, Velma had expectations of Shaggy that he could not meet. So I guess it is normal that Velma's better nature has been (temporarily, one hopes) overtaken by bitterness and the desire to strike back.

(As an aside, I don't watch this series because I want to see a realistic portrayal of teenagers and young love. I want to see the rather unreal Gang that I have come to know and love over the years. So Snarky-Bitter Velma can go away any time now.)

I also wonder why it's Scooby of all people trying to mend fences. Not that he shouldn't, but that Shaggy should be the one trying to improve relations with Velma.

Shaggy and Scooby are trying to get back what they had before--they are trying to be Velma's friends. Only Velma can choose whether to accept that or not.

And it seems that in the last couple of episodes Velma is saving most of her "Hey! Look everybody, I'm hurt!" for Scooby. She has already admitted that she can't stay mad at Shaggy, so poor Scoob gets the blame and the bile. Again, a reaction that is believable--but not reasonable. (See aside above.)

On a different note, I've seen the CN premiere page for November and unfortunately there's nothing new all month long for Mystery Inc. Curse you CN!!

I hadn't given it all that much attention, and I recorded the Monday night showing as usual. My disappointment upon discovering a rerun episode was profound.

GLT

 

[moo92]

Shaggy and Scooby are trying to get back what they had before--they are trying to be Velma's friends. Only Velma can choose whether to accept that or not.



GLT

Actually only Scooby is the one that is trying repair the friendship. Shaggy has not done anything that I can think of.

 

[glt1000]

Actually only Scooby is the one that is trying repair the friendship. Shaggy has not done anything that I can think of.

I think it is more that Shaggy is returning to what he always was. He has always been a "take me as I am" guy that was an accepted and liked member of the Gang. Always loyal when the chips are down, etc.

There is very little you can do to "make nice" after you have broken up with someone. To "repair" the relationship in a way Velma would accept would require him to be someone he is not, and give something he does not have to give. The most he could do (and do we really need to see this in a 30 minute animation featuring 40 year old stereotypical characters who's primary goal is to solve mysteries?) is to apologize to Velma for leading her on, or perhaps explain that he thought it might work out but it didn't. He has pretty much done that once already.. And that isn't what Velma wants to hear.

GLT

 

[SpiderScooby]

Could this "special" episode be a holiday themed episode?

 

[veemonjosh]

What if Mr. E is actually Mystery Incorporated, the original gang? That makes the group's name even more appropriate somehow, since there's four of them acting as one. Mr. E, Incorporated.

It's entirely possible...I've already got a strong feeling that their DJ friend (Angel Dynamite, I think?) was the Velma-counterpart and that Fred Jones Sr. was his son's counterpart. Certain things they've done have hinted at some connection to the original Mystery Inc.

But isn't part of the mystery about what happened to them? Just saying they split apart and are still residing in the town would be a bit of a cop-out.

 

[moo92]

It's entirely possible...I've already got a strong feeling that their DJ friend (Angel Dynamite, I think?) was the Velma-counterpart and that Fred Jones Sr. was his son's counterpart. Certain things they've done have hinted at some connection to the original Mystery Inc.

But isn't part of the mystery about what happened to them? Just saying they split apart and are still residing in the town would be a bit of a cop-out.

Nah, they disappeared or at least thats what everyone says in the series. Angel Dynamite is totally hiding something but I think the Velma counterpart was her sister. Its seems more likely.

 

[magicdog]

I've already got a strong feeling that their DJ friend (Angel Dynamite, I think?) was the Velma-counterpart and that Fred Jones Sr. was his son's counterpart.

If any of the gang's parents had been official members of the original Mystery, Inc (ie. in the [yearbook] photos) there's no doubt they'd have recognized them by now. I'm not saying any or all of their parents couldn't have been contemporaries or classmates of the missing teens, but definitely not the actual team members. I'm still not certain about Angel - I'm nore inclined to think she's a relative of Cassidy's rather than Cassidy herself.

But isn't part of the mystery about what happened to them? Just saying they split apart and are still residing in the town would be a bit of a cop-out.

I agree. Not to mention in a small town like Crystal Cove, it wouldn't be hard for anyone to recognize them had they stayed. If all the team members are still alive (and/or as suggested, are collectively Mr. E.) they can't be living where they are likely to be recognized.