5 Iconic Stars Who Played Cartoon Versions of Themselves on ‘Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!’
Mysteries, frights, and a whole lot of laughs made Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! a classic cartoon that stands the test of time. And fans of the Saturday morning show may recall a few very famous faces that popped up from time to time.
‘Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!’ is basically a cartoon procedural
Created by Joe Ruby and Ken Spears, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! debuted in 1969 under the Hanna-Barbera umbrella. In the show, a crew of groovy teens and their Great Dane named Scooby-Doo solve spooky mysteries.
The heroes, Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby, get around by driving their Mystery Machine — a van decked out with a psychedelic floral paint job. They investigate strange occurrences in scary locations, typically with a supernatural spin.
Eager investigators Fred, Daphne, and Velma must bribe their fainthearted friends, Shaggy and Scooby, with Scooby Snacks to get them on board with elaborate plans. At that point, the Scooby Gang sets a trap, which ultimately goes awry.
In the end, they always manage to foil the plans of creepy villains. And they would’ve gotten away with it too if it wasn’t for the “meddling kids,” many of the crooks mutter as they are carted away by authorities.
There are a few other recurring gags that amp up the entertainment value on Scooby-Doo. The gang routinely splits up during hairy situations, Velma has a habit of dropping her eyeglasses, and eyeholes cut into wall hangings are used to spy on unsuspecting passersby.
The bottom line is that Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! viewers know what we are getting when we tune into the show. And the classic cartoon never disappoints.
‘Scooby-Doo’ shook up the usual formula with famous faces
Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! has been revamped several times over the years, bringing new life to the narrative. In a departure from the regular case-of-the-week format, the series launched The New Scooby-Doo Movies, which aired from 1972 to 1973.
The hour-long format featured famous guest stars who joined the Scooby Gang to investigate mysteries. Die-hard Scooby enthusiasts have their favorites, but we’ve compiled a list of some of the most noteworthy celebs to appear in animated form.
1. The Harlem Globetrotters
The Harlem Globetrotters are an exhibition basketball team that has been around for nearly a century. The athletic performers guest-starred on The New Scooby-Doo Movies several times. They partnered with the Scoobies to solve mysteries surrounding Red Beard, the Loch Ness monster, and a haunted island.
2. Dick Van Dyke
Dick Van Dyke is known for his iconic roles in Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and The Dick Van Dyke Show, among other titles. The entertainer appeared in The New Scooby-Doo Movies in a quirky role as a carnival owner who enlists the Scoobies to find out why customers have stopped showing up.
3. The Addams Family
“They’re creepy and they’re kooky, mysterious and spooky.” Fans of the ‘60s series, The Addams Family, will recognize those lyrics from the theme song. During season 1 of The New Scooby-Doo Movies, the Mystery Machine breaks down near the Addams’ estate. Coincidentally, Wednesday Addams goes missing, and it’s up to the teens to help find the girl.
4. Sonny and Cher
To the delight of music fans, the famous rock duo Sonny and Cher popped up on The New Scooby-Doo Movies. In the episode titled “The Secret of Shark Island,” the Scooby gang meets the rockers and searches for a freight ship that has inexplicably vanished.
5. Phyllis Diller
Comedy legend Phyllis Diller delivered plenty of laughs during her guest spot on The New Scooby-Doo Movies. When the gang returns Diller’s dog to her abode, they stick around to thwart would-be jewelry thieves.
Scooby-Doo welcomed many other famous guests, such as The Three Stooges, Batman and Robin, and Don Knotts of Three’s Company fame. From the biting comedy to the recurring gags to the A-list guests, the cartoon will remain a treasure to many fans who grew up watching.
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