What did you think about Daphne Blake's appearance in "The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo"?

[George3000]

I'm just wondering, since it marked the last time we would see the teen/adult version of her until that Johnny Bravo crossover special.

Just so you know, in case you've never seen The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo, both Daphne and Shaggy (and even the Mystery Machine), got refurbished looks, but I think Daph's was the most notable change; why? for 2 reasons: 1) Her hair style changed, and 2) Her clothing varied from episode to episode (but still keping the purple color sceme from her original 1969 outfit). So I've been wondering: Was Daphne's new look (particulary the red hair) so ill-fated, that was she the one thing that caused Scooby-Doo to cancellation? (she was never seen in the 3 late-'80s TV movies, in which Shaggy and the MM still kept their new looks) The reason I'm asking this question because when we the teen/adult Daphne next in that said Johnny Bravo crossover, she is back in original look (old hair, purple dress, high heels, green headband, and all)

Anyways I kind of preferred this new look better than I did with ther 1969 look (and What's New, if you want to add that in). And no I haven't seen enough Get a Clue in a long while, so I can't really give my opinion on her appearance there.

[Tobias]

I liked the new look, and wished it'd been kept. The purple pantsuit was a lot more acceptable for running around chasing ghosts than doing it in a skirt and high heels.

I also liked the hair change. I wonder what the animators would have done with a Fred and Velma redesign had they shown up.

[Brainatra]

In retrospect, her outfit/hair in "13 Ghosts" was meant to "update" her for the 80s... and the 80s meant tacky-but-ugly fashions (vs. the 70's tacky-but-actually-working-anyway fashions :-p)---shoulder pads, big hair, etc. Hence her makeover...

I prefer Daphne's "classic" look (or its respectfully-updated variant on "What's New Scooby Doo?").

[muttley123]

I much prefer her classic look. I'm glad they kept it pretty much the same for "What's new".

[RonDrakenfan17]

To me the bigger question of the show is why they suddenly decided to bring Daphny in? And over Velma of all people LOL. I mean;

1. I though Velma was more popular

2. Velma loves solving crimes

3. She I thought was Shaggys love intrest

So it would have made more sense to bring Velma back. There was no point in bringing Daphny back, it just added Shaggy/Daphny shippers LOL. While I like Daphny, I think it was kind of pointless.

[Tobias]

Because Daphne was easier on the eyes. Even though the show was aimed at kids, the powers that be obviously wanted some attractive eye candy for the older viewers, and Velma in all her Ugly Betty-ish glory just couldn't fill that role.

[muttley123]

I agree, Daphne's eye candy appeal was part of the reason I liked watching Scooby as I was growing up. For that matter, the same thing applied for the many Hanna Barbera damsels of those days. Teenage Pebbles, Jeannie, Penelope Pitstop, Josie, the Teen Angels, Mindy McConnell (Mork & Mindy cartoon) to name a few. However, I gotta say, Daphne was always the one lol!

[TwoToneDearly]

Her look in "The 13 Ghosts of Scooby Doo" looks like she ripped off Debbie's look from "Speed Buggy"

[Mister Intensity]

I figured they brought back Daphine instead of Velma because the voice actress, Heather North was more likely to do the show. Remember they recast Velma mid-season during Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo (1979) for some reason and the replacement Velma, Maria Frumpton, never did sound right as Velma. When Velma came back in The New Scooby-Doo Mysteries (1984), Frumpton was Velma instead of Nicole Jaffe or Pat Stevens and since she was never really accepted as Velma they figured a Daphine that sounded right was better than an awkward sounding Velma.

[Silverstar]

I figured they brought back Daphine instead of Velma because the voice actress, Heather North was more likely to do the show. Remember they recast Velma mid-season during Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo (1979) for some reason and the replacement Velma, Maria Frumpton, never did sound right as Velma. When Velma came back in The New Scooby-Doo Mysteries (1984), Frumpton was Velma instead of Nicole Jaffe or Pat Stevens and since she was never really accepted as Velma they figured a Daphine that sounded right was better than an awkward sounding Velma.

That could be the reason, but I tend to agree with Tobias; Daphne was brought back to fulfill the token hottie 'eye-candy' factor which the franchise was sorely lacking in the previous incarnation with just Scoob, Shag and Scrappy. Velma's OK as a character, but a model-pretty girl puts more butts in seats than a brainy, awkward one.

[The Cartoon]

I think the show would have been more successful if Fred & Velma had still been in the show. I didn't particularly like Daphne's new look, but I don't think that was the reason the show didn't do well. It was probably Flim Flam and/or Scrappy, even though I didn't have a problem with them.

PS: 500th Post!

[Blackstar]

I think the show would have been more successful if Fred & Velma had still been in the show. I didn't particularly like Daphne's new look, but I don't think that was the reason the show didn't do well. It was probably Flim Flam and/or Scrappy, even though I didn't have a problem with them.

PS: 500th Post!

I think it was a combination of both. Scrappy alone was annoying enough, but both him and Flim-Flam together were the 1-2-punch on the annoyance factor. And I guess I'm one of the few people who didn't mind Daphne's new look. Her new appearance was just a change from the old one if you ask me, no better or worse than before. It certainly wasn't enough to turn me away from the show.:sweat:

Also, congrats on your 500th post!

[Deadman]

i thought the look in 13 ghosts was her best yet.

[Old Guy]

I thought Velma was more popular

Where did you get that idea? :confused:

[Tobias]

The overall format change in 13 Ghosts might have also been network mandated. I mean, look at 'Superpowers Team' of the team year, which was a COMPLETE overhaul of Superfriends character design wise.

Maybe ABC wanted their two flagship shows to have new looks to try to save both, then ended up canceling both in the end.

[Silverstar]

Can't say about Scooby, but Super Friends became Super Powers Team in order to tie in with a new line of toys.

[Rick Jones]

never really thought much about her look but I liked it

Its kind of funny that as a kid I always wanted "hot chick" Daphne to end up with Shaggy over that pretty boy Fred. It was always my favorite Scooby series back then and the intro reminded me of Thriller. Not to mention they kept the characters I liked and left out the ones I didn't really care for at the time.

[Tobias]

It'd be cool if they updated '13 Ghosts' for the inevitable next Scooby series, since 'Get a Clue's' pretty much over, giving Daphne and Shaggy back their looks from that series, and then update Fred and Velma in the same fashion. (I could see Fred in a brown bomber jacket/white t-shirt/blue jeans/black boots with a crew cut)

They could put Fred and Velma back in the mix, leave Scrappy and Flim Flam out, and get a Vincent Price sound alike for Vincent Van Ghoul.

[Zen Man]

never really thought much about her look but I liked it

Its kind of funny that as a kid I always wanted "hot chick" Daphne to end up with Shaggy over that pretty boy Fred. It was always my favorite Scooby series back then and the intro reminded me of Thriller. Not to mention they kept the characters I liked and left out the ones I didn't really care for at the time.

I thought I was the only one who was curious about a Shaggy/Daphne hookup. But it probably would'nt have worked out anyway since they're both so different.

[Master Toon]

It never really crossed my mind. The only thing I ever thought about with that series was the fact that it was just Daphne and Shaggy. Oh, and the dogs too.

[hobbyfan]

never really thought much about her look but I liked it

Its kind of funny that as a kid I always wanted "hot chick" Daphne to end up with Shaggy over that pretty boy Fred. It was always my favorite Scooby series back then and the intro reminded me of Thriller. Not to mention they kept the characters I liked and left out the ones I didn't really care for at the time.

1. On point: Daphne in a jumpsuit instead of the dress & hose (pink or purple depending on the episode) was a mistake. I think in a way that was part of the reason 13 Ghosts bombed. Some guys who grew up ogling Daph wanted to see the classic look. Too bad they had to wait several years to get it back.:sad:

2. The intro reminded you of "Thriller"? Hmmm. Vincent Prince contributed to that song, so, gee........YA THINK???

3. How could you not dig Fred and/or Velma? Sure, one's a bookworm, the other's been reimagined in recent years as a ditzy fanboy, but, still.....!

[Rick Jones]

1. On point: Daphne in a jumpsuit instead of the dress & hose (pink or purple depending on the episode) was a mistake. I think in a way that was part of the reason 13 Ghosts bombed. Some guys who grew up ogling Daph wanted to see the classic look. Too bad they had to wait several years to get it back.:sad:

2. The intro reminded you of "Thriller"? Hmmm. Vincent Prince contributed to that song, so, gee........YA THINK???

3. How could you not dig Fred and/or Velma? Sure, one's a bookworm, the other's been reimagined in recent years as a ditzy fanboy, but, still.....!
geez can I catch a break ? :D

I haven't seen this series in over a decade. I was just saying what I remembered liking about it back then

I don't mind Fred so much now ( Frank Welker is awesome times infinity) and I like Velma

[Daphne Blake]

It's been so long since I've seen this series I can't remember the new look too well. Anyone have an image? Is this series on DVD yet?

I doubt it was the look which made it bombed, it's most likely Scrappy. I think I've only spoken to one person who liked Scrappy. I'm not sure he was too right in the head either.

Daphne over Velma? It's prob not just the fact boys fancy her but more girls would like to be her and dress up as her. Velma is prob better for the role, and I love her all the same but little girls would prob rather model themselves on beauty rather than brains sadly.

[Daphne Blake]

Ah just found the intro on retrojunk.com, does anyone else think Daphne looks like April O'Neil there?

[Eric B]

It's been so long since I've seen this series I can't remember the new look too well. Anyone have an image? Is this series on DVD yet?

I doubt it was the look which made it bombed, it's most likely Scrappy. I think I've only spoken to one person who liked Scrappy. I'm not sure he was too right in the head either. That is not why it bombed (and who said it ever "bombed", even?) It is the Scrappy haters who seemed to be not right in the head. They claimed he ruined their childhoods (You can see this on jumptheshark.com!) and have hallucinated their own history of Scooby where he killed off the show and all that. But they have certainly borne their influence!
Scrappy was not even as prominent in the stories anymore. He had completely mellowed down, and more attention was going to Flim Flam, and back to Shaggy and Scooby as well. When I think of an average 13 Ghosts episode, it is easy to forget that Scrappy was even there.

The show probably ended, because it basically ran its course, and they did not know what to do with the franchise anymore. I remember hearing plans for the next season after tha, where they would bring back Scooby Dee as Scooby's girlfriend. But that never happened. Then, we get the three Superstar 10 movies shortly after.

[Daphne Blake]

That is not why it bombed (and who said it ever "bombed", even?) It is the Scrappy haters who seemed to be not right in the head. They claimed he ruined their childhoods (You can see this on jumptheshark.com!) and have hallucinated their own history of Scooby where he killed off the show and all that. But they have certainly borne their influence!
Scrappy was not even as prominent in the stories anymore. He had completely mellowed down, and more attention was going to Flim Flam, and back to Shaggy and Scooby as well. When I think of an average 13 Ghosts episode, it is easy to forget that Scrappy was even there.

The show probably ended, because it basically ran its course, and they did not know what to do with the franchise anymore. I remember hearing plans for the next season after tha, where they would bring back Scooby Dee as Scooby's girlfriend. But that never happened. Then, we get the three Superstar 10 movies shortly after.

Dude, those Scrappy haters are worrying.

[Tobias]

Scrappy was not even as prominent in the stories anymore. He had completely mellowed down, and more attention was going to Flim Flam, and back to Shaggy and Scooby as well. When I think of an average 13 Ghosts episode, it is easy to forget that Scrappy was even there.


I think Scrappy's 'mellowing out' actually started two years prior with the return of Daphne in 'The New Scooby Doo & Scrappy Doo Show'.

When she returned, Scrappy, while still being a little too gung ho about things, actually started becoming a bit more intelligent about running into things. Scrappy essentially filled Fred's role from then on, as it was him and Daphne that were solving most of the mysteries and making sure the clues got gathered.

[Daphne Blake]

that were solving most of the mysteries and making sure the clues got gathered.

and notjust just Scooby snacks?

[Eric B]

I think Scrappy's 'mellowing out' actually started two years prior with the return of Daphne in 'The New Scooby Doo & Scrappy Doo Show'.

When she returned, Scrappy, while still being a little too gung ho about things, actually started becoming a bit more intelligent about running into things. Scrappy essentially filled Fred's role from then on, as it was him and Daphne that were solving most of the mysteries and making sure the clues got gathered.
That's quite true.
But the haters never seemed to realize that. They are reacting to the very first season (with the whole gang), and even the next season after that (the first without the gang), he began maturing. He was at his most gung-ho there, but this time actually able to do something to the villains (when Scooby didn't snatch him away first).

[hobbyfan]

Ah just found the intro on retrojunk.com, does anyone else think Daphne looks like April O'Neil there?

Considering that the first TMNT series hit the air after 13 Ghosts was cancelled, you can say their producers got the idea for April's gold jumpsuit from 13 Ghosts.

[Daphne Blake]

Considering that the first TMNT series hit the air after 13 Ghosts was cancelled, you can say their producers got the idea for April's gold jumpsuit from 13 Ghosts.


I assumed Daph was before but I wasn't sure, thanks for clearing that up. Was that look then a fashion at the time?!? The hair cut and clothes?

[hobbyfan]

I assumed Daph was before but I wasn't sure, thanks for clearing that up. Was that look then a fashion at the time?!? The hair cut and clothes?

Might've been, what with the introduction of aerobics into pop culture at the time.

[Blackstar]

Its kind of funny that as a kid I always wanted "hot chick" Daphne to end up with Shaggy over that pretty boy Fred.

I'm personally glad that didn't happen. IMHO, Shaggy doesn't need a girlfriend. A girlfriend for Shaggy would interfere with Shag and Scoob's "special friendship". H-B did attempt to give Shaggy a girlfriend named Googie (voiced by B.J. Ward) in the TV movie Scooby Doo and the Reluctant Werewolf, but her career was noticeably short; she made no further appearances.

[bwrosas]

The reason in my opnion that Daphne was brought back, was because even before Scrappy came into being, Daphne was along with Shaggy and Scooby one the most popluar characters in the early days of the show.

And perhaps as some might say, it was possible a way for HB to test out a relationship secniro between Daphne and Shaggy.

As far as Daphne's look goes in 13 ghosts, that was due to the fact that it was made/aired during the mid-1980's, and that was the style back then.

Let's not also forget that this was at a time when HB had started it's new made for TV movie divsion, The Superstar 10 series.

[hobbyfan]

Let's not also forget that this was at a time when HB had started it's new made for TV movie divsion, The Superstar 10 series.

Actually, the Superstar 10 series came about 2 years after 13 Ghosts ended. A Pup Named Scooby-Doo was hitting the air around the same time that the movies started, so to appease any fans who wanted the "adult" Scooby, H-B commissioned 3 Scooby movies out of the 10 in the series.

[IIRC, Yogi Bear & Top Cat each had two movies.]

[Tobias]

The Jetsons had 2 (one of them with the Flintstones), and I believe Huckleberry Hound had the 10th. There was also a Jonny Quest movie around that time, wasn't there?

I wonder what future films in the 'Superstar' series would have been like?

[bwrosas]

Actually, the Superstar 10 series came about 2 years after 13 Ghosts ended. A Pup Named Scooby-Doo was hitting the air around the same time that the movies started, so to appease any fans who wanted the "adult" Scooby, H-B commissioned 3 Scooby movies out of the 10 in the series.

[IIRC, Yogi Bear & Top Cat each had two movies.]

Actually,Yogi had three, the spruce goose, great escape, and the space bears, which Cindy was in.

Top cat only had one.

[Zen Man]

The Jetsons had 2 (one of them with the Flintstones), and I believe Huckleberry Hound had the 10th. There was also a Jonny Quest movie around that time, wasn't there?

I wonder what future films in the 'Superstar' series would have been like?

If you wanna divide the Superstar 10 movies by star then...

Yogi -3
Scooby-3
The Jetsons-2 (one shared with the Flintstones)
The Flintstones-1 (shared with the Jetsons)
Top Cat -1
Huckleberry Hound-1 (I still haven't seen this one)


Jonny Quest was given two TV movies in the mid 90's- Jonny's Golden Quest in 1993 and Jonny Quest and The Invasion of the Cyber Insects in 1995. These weren't apart of the H-B Superstars 10 package though.

BTW, Weren't they gonna do a Wacky Races Superstar movie?

[TMC1982]

I'm just wondering, since it marked the last time we would see the teen/adult version of her until that Johnny Bravo crossover special.

Just so you know, in case you've never seen The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo, both Daphne and Shaggy (and even the Mystery Machine), got refurbished looks, but I think Daph's was the most notable change; why? for 2 reasons: 1) Her hair style changed, and 2) Her clothing varied from episode to episode (but still keping the purple color sceme from her original 1969 outfit). So I've been wondering: Was Daphne's new look (particulary the red hair) so ill-fated, that was she the one thing that caused Scooby-Doo to cancellation? (she was never seen in the 3 late-'80s TV movies, in which Shaggy and the MM still kept their new looks) The reason I'm asking this question because when we the teen/adult Daphne next in that said Johnny Bravo crossover, she is back in original look (old hair, purple dress, high heels, green headband, and all)

Anyways I kind of preferred this new look better than I did with ther 1969 look (and What's New, if you want to add that in). And no I haven't seen enough Get a Clue in a long while, so I can't really give my opinion on her appearance there.

In retrospect, I don't like Daphne's 13 Ghosts... look because it simply dates the show too much ("Oh, this is an '80s show!":shrug:).

[KJ Styles]

I'm personally glad that didn't happen. IMHO, Shaggy doesn't need a girlfriend. A girlfriend for Shaggy would interfere with Shag and Scoob's "special friendship". H-B did attempt to give Shaggy a girlfriend named Googie (voiced by B.J. Ward) in the TV movie Scooby Doo and the Reluctant Werewolf, but her career was noticeably short; she made no further appearances.

I remember that movie too, and even then Shaggy seemed to pay more attention to Scooby and Scrappy than to Googie.

As for the original question posted. 13 Ghosts was only meant to have 13 episodes anyway, so Daphne's new look didn't have anything to do with Scooby's cancellation. I think it had more to do with the fact that they ran out of ideas for new Scooby series at the time. Personally, I liked Daph's new look, she was still hot, and 13 Ghosts was a good show despite the annoying Flim-Flam. Scrappy was tolerable by comparision.

If I recall correctly, after 13 Ghosts 1985 season, ABC ran reruns of The New Scooby-Doo Mysteries in 1986.

[TMC1982]

I remember that movie too, and even then Shaggy seemed to pay more attention to Scooby and Scrappy than to Googie.

As for the original question posted. 13 Ghosts was only meant to have 13 episodes anyway, so Daphne's new look didn't have anything to do with Scooby's cancellation. I think it had more to do with the fact that they ran out of ideas for new Scooby series at the time. Personally, I liked Daph's new look, she was still hot, and 13 Ghosts was a good show despite the annoying Flim-Flam. Scrappy was tolerable by comparision.

If I recall correctly, after 13 Ghosts 1985 season, ABC ran reruns of The New Scooby-Doo Mysteries in 1986.

Clearly, The 13 Ghosts... would've been way better had Fred and Velma been there instead of Scrappy and Flim-Flam (but keep Vincent Price:cool:). I mean, it's quite apparent why this was the last "classic" (i.e. pre-A Pup Named Scooby Doo) Scooby show if they had to change Daphne and Shaggy's looks and add an obnoxious little kid (like Scrappy wasn't bad enough).

[Nickle98499]

Yeah that idea has been bandied about for a long time; actually i've been working on fan fiction versions of each of the 13 Ghosts episodes with no Scrappy, but with Flim Flam still there and with Fred and Velma. Actually I didn't mind Flim Flam too much, in watching the reruns of the show he actually was pretty funny; besides, unlike Scrappy he and Vincent Van Ghoul were designed to be one shot characters, that is to say they were only around for that series only and then were never on again, so I didn't mind them that much. But I do agree that if Fred and Velma were there the series would have been way better than it was.

[KJ Styles]

Clearly, The 13 Ghosts... would've been way better had Fred and Velma been there instead of Scrappy and Flim-Flam (but keep Vincent Price:cool:). I mean, it's quite apparent why this was the last "classic" (i.e. pre-A Pup Named Scooby Doo) Scooby show if they had to change Daphne and Shaggy's looks and add an obnoxious little kid (like Scrappy wasn't bad enough).

Personally, I never had a problem with Scrappy. The only thing I didn't like was when they got rid of Freddy and Velma. Scrappy haters are really obnoxious. I can understand why some don't like him but those people that go as far as to say that he "ruined their childhood" must have had horrific childhoods to begin with. Remember, ABC was threatening to cancel Scooby the season before Scrappy came along, and when he did the ratings went UP. Scrappy was fine with me. In fact, I found him entertaining at times (Scooby-Doo Mysteries especially) they should have just not gotten rid of Freddy and Velma. The weakest Scooby seasons were the ones with just Scooby, Shaggy, and Scrappy.

As I stated before, 13 Ghosts was only meant to have 13 episodes. Flim-Flam was definitely annoying but I enjoyed the show personally. My favorite episode is when Scooby decided to quit and then Vincent convinced him to come back and then he saved the day against Time Slime.

[launchpad20]

I wasn't too crazy about Daphne's look, but it wasn't too bad. While the classic purple dress was more attractive, i could understand why it was they switched to a jump suit since it's hard to run around in high heels. (She even says this in the 'Johnny Bravo' episode.) As for Scrappy, he didn't seem as annoying in '13 Ghosts' as he was before. He did seem to take Fred's role of observing clues with Daphne in the previous season. Plus, he actually had some funny moments. (A rare feat for a character like Scrappy, i know) Like when he interviews Loretta Cutitout (get it?) about the use of fire on Saturday Morning TV, and he tells her how the dragon needs to keep his job to feed his family. Even in these tough economic times, dragons gotta eat, too you know. :p