Fan Spotlight 2022 Day 2: Graig

Today’s fan spotlight has been a long time in the making, as it was originally one of the spotlights from last year, but unfortunately, it didn’t work out. That’s why I’m even more excited that we were still able to do it this year! I’m excited to introduce you to Graig, a Scooby fan who has commented on this blog quite a bit and is also a member of the ScoobyAddicts forum. Through doing this fan spotlight, I also found out that both of us are big fans of a pop punk band named Hey Violet, which was really cool to discover!

Here’s Graig’s fan spotlight:

1. What is your name?
I go by dooscoobert0220 on ScoobyAddicts but my real name is Graig. Hi!
 
2. How did you get into Scooby-Doo?
I wish I could remember but as far as I know I’ve been a fan of Scooby-Doo pretty much since birth. My parents would apparently put it on while I was in my crib and stuff. And it stuck.

3. What is your favorite Scooby-Doo episode and film? Why?
My favorite movie is definitely Zombie Island. Yes I am basic, I don’t even care. Everything about it comes together to make a thrilling, funny, scary, intense ride of a Scooby film and I honestly feel like they have never managed to combine all those elements so perfectly since, except for Witch’s Ghost (a close second fave of mine) but only almost because it’s not as scary. I genuinely don’t think I could pick a favorite episode. There’s too many and I still haven’t even seen them all. I will say my favorite series is Mystery Incorporated for - I feel like - obvious reasons. Sort of like Zombie Island, I love how it manages to balance all of these ideas and all of this ambition within while still making it feel true to Scooby as a franchise. It’s fantastic.
 
4. What ways are you involved in the Scooby fandom online?
Well, I’m a member of ScoobyAddicts and I frequent (the amazing) ScoonySnax blog, though it’s been a while since I was active on both, at the time of writing. I’m hoping to change that soon. I also follow a couple Scooby related Twitter accounts.

5. In your opinion, what is the best series or era of Scooby?
Well, for series, as I said, Mystery Incorporated. Era though…I’m probably biased because it’s what I’ve grown up with (though still with plenty of the older stuff) but almost the entire post-2000 era has been pretty great. Show wise, I personally feel like there’s only one dud in Get A Clue (I’ve only watched a few episodes though and I’ve heard mixed things on Guess Who so I could be wrong) and the movies for the most part have been on the level of pretty great to absolutely amazing, with only one true dud (again in my opinion, though I get why some would think others are middling) in Return To Zombie Island.
 
6. What one Scooby-Doo series or film would you want a sequel to someday?
I will forever be bitter we didn’t get a Mystery Incorporated season 3 since they set one up with a perfect idea at the end of 2, so that for sure. Also I would kill for a Witch’s Ghost sequel because we simply don’t get enough Hex Girls content. Also, I love magic and witches. And I mean an actual sequel, not the fake sequel thing they’ve done.
 
7. What direction would you like to see the franchise go in the future?
I honestly don’t know. A bunch of things. It’d be cool if they went down a more child-horror oriented path, like the tone of Zombie Island but through a whole series. I feel like they’ve milked the comedy aspects of the series as much as possible so exploring the horror influence the series has would be really interesting. I am one of the few who is excited for the Velma series (if it still happens) because of its focus on an adult audience and willingness to try something new (especially since the other, toddler aimed show does not seem exciting) but it’d be great to see them balance the two like they’ve successfully been able to for over 50 years. I do think they need something fresh and new though. Also, this is kinda random but I have to mention it: An adaptation of Scooby Apocalypse would be pretty cool. It’d be great if they re-released the series again as well. Oh and bring back Scrappy.
 
8. Who is your favorite member of the gang and why?
Oof. I genuinely love them all for so many different reasons. If I had to pick I guess I would say Daphne. I love that even if she has a tendency to fall into danger, she still dives headfirst into the mysteries. She’s not letting the possibility of getting hurt stop her from going for it. And then she found ways to get better at avoiding danger and fight back and became an absolute bad***. I just really love her.
 
9. What is your favorite villain? Why?
The cat creatures from Zombie Island. Not only is their design terrifying but so is the idea of them - apparently friendly, accommodating hosts who need help but are actually manipulative energy vampires who have spent a long time draining and killing people for their own self-preservation because traumatic events, loss, grief and the desire for revenge lead them down a dark path. Insanely cool and creepy.

10. In your opinion, who is the best recurring (non-gang) character in the franchise?
The Hex Girls, hands down. I’m 90% sure they influenced a large portion of my music taste (I really love rock bands with female lead vocals, and I’m a fan of more women than men in general) and their style is insanely cool. We seriously deserve a spin-off following their witchy music exploits. Like, Charmed meets Scooby-Doo and Josie & the Pussycats.

11. Do you have a Scooby-Doo collection? If so, what’s in it?
I do! It’s mostly made up of DVDs (55 and counting) but I also have a few games, some socks, a few toys and plushies as well as a small poster from the 2002 film signed by Matthew Lillard. That especially is one of my most prized possessions. I also have four PEZ’s of the gang and I’m only missing Daphne.
 
12. What do you think has made the franchise so popular that it’s still going strong after 50 years? 
That is a really interesting question. The concept in general is pretty timeless, everyone loves mysteries and there are a lot of ways to shake up the formula - as the franchise has proven. I think the characters might be the biggest part though. They’re funny, interesting and at the franchise’s best, well-written and relatable. Everyone can find something of themselves in the gang. 
 
13. What is one fun fact about you in real life?
I have two cats and I wanted to name the older one Scooby when we got him but he already had a name. 

14. Please feel free to share anything else you’d like to here!
I love talking about Scooby or anything else so feel free to message me on ScoobyAddicts (if you’re on there) if you wanna talk about something cool.

A huge thank you to Graig for being today’s fan spotlight! I was really happy this was still able to work out even though it didn’t last year, and I hope you enjoyed reading his answers.