What’s New Scooby-Doo marked a significant and welcome return for Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Inc. gang to television screens. After a decade-long absence of new TV series since A Pup Named Scooby-Doo, this 2002 series arrived, proving the franchise’s enduring appeal. The consistent popularity was buoyed by a string of successful direct-to-video films from 1998 to 2001, demonstrating that Scooby-Doo still had plenty of life left for audiences eager for more mysteries.
Like its predecessors, What’s New Scooby-Doo centers around the familiar adventures of the perpetually famished and easily frightened Shaggy, the well-meaning but often oblivious Fred, the fashion-forward and resourceful Daphne, the intelligent and logical Velma, and of course, the gluttonous and cowardly canine companion, Scooby-Doo. The voice cast is a major strength, with Frank Welker continuing as Fred and the legendary Casey Kasem reprising his iconic role as Shaggy. Remarkably, despite voicing these characters for thirty years prior, both actors seamlessly recapture the essence of their roles, making it feel as if no time has passed at all. Their performances are a comforting link to the classic series that long-time fans deeply appreciate.
This iteration of Scooby-Doo embraces a more self-aware comedic style, directly referencing and playfully mocking the established tropes and narrative patterns that have become synonymous with the franchise. The show frequently acknowledges the predictable story beats and recurring scenarios, using this self-awareness to generate humor. A prime example is the consistent, and often deliberately incorrect, paraphrasing of the famous line, “And I would have gotten away with it, if it weren’t for you meddling kids,” at the end of each episode. This running gag highlights the show’s lighthearted approach, as the original phrase was never actually uttered in the classic cartoon, much like the misquoted “Play it again, Sam” from Casablanca. This knowing wink to the audience is a key part of What’s New Scooby-Doo‘s charm and comedic success.
However, while the comedic tone largely works in the show’s favor, the quality of the mysteries themselves presents a more varied picture. While the original Scooby-Doo mysteries were never paragons of suspense or intricate plotting, they generally adhered to a degree of internal logic. The mysteries were typically localized, taking place in relatively isolated settings, and the scale of the events remained somewhat believable within the established cartoon world. In contrast, What’s New Scooby-Doo often escalates the stakes to a much grander scale. Mysteries frequently unfold as large-scale events witnessed by numerous people, sometimes hundreds, pushing the boundaries of believability. This shift towards more outlandish scenarios can strain credibility, especially during the series’ signature unmasking and explanation segments, where the elaborate schemes are often revealed to be quite convoluted and improbable given the widespread public nature of the events.
Despite these sometimes over-the-top mysteries, What’s New Scooby-Doo successfully avoids the pitfalls of becoming a cynical or overly negative reboot. It is certainly a more enjoyable and faithful entry in the Scooby-Doo universe than properties like Shaggy and Scooby-Doo Get a Clue, which significantly deviated from the core elements of the franchise. Ultimately, What’s New Scooby-Doo prioritizes comedy, and in this aspect, it largely succeeds. The consistent humor, combined with the excellent voice acting, particularly Casey Kasem’s return, and the show’s affectionate self-parody, provides ample entertainment value. It’s a series that knows exactly what it is – a funny, modern take on a beloved classic – and delivers on that promise, making it a worthwhile watch for Scooby-Doo fans both old and new seeking lighthearted, self-aware animated fun.
