Scooby-Doo, Where Are You and The Scooby-Doo Show

Image from Chapters.ca

Originally produced in the 1960s and 1970s, these programs show their age in some respects, especially in their occasional ethnic stereotypes. Still, they can be considered progressive for including two female main characters as equal mystery-solving partners. Shaggy is not an ideal role model, but unlike the case with many cartoons of today, he is not positioned as a complete loser in comparison to group leader Fred—a character who is also shown running in fear from the villains the gang encounters in each episode. Overall, these are fun shows for kids that do not trade on gender stereotypes. Ages 5 and up. Note that younger children might find the ghosts scary, or might at least ask questions about whether ghosts and monsters are real. Some versions air on Teletoon Retro in Canada and the show is also available on DVD.

Parents should note that one of the newer incarnations of this show, What’s New Scooby-Doo, is not quite as forward-thinking. Daphne is dumbed down in the modernized version and Fred seems to have developed a paternalistic instinct to protect the “girls,” as he frequently calls Daphne and Velma.