Laff-A-Lympics (TV series)


 * ''This article is about the television series. For the event, see Laff-a-Lympics.

Laff-a-Lympics is an animated American television series produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions for ABC's Saturday morning children's programming. It ran in 1977 to 1978, airing 24 episodes.

Debuting as a segment of Scooby's All Star Laff-a-Lympics, the series follows an Olympics-themed event full of popular characters from Hanna-Barbera's library at the time going around the world to compete in such events. The games were hosted by Snagglepuss and Mildew Wolf. The three teams consist of the Yogi Yahooeys led by Yogi Bear, the Scooby Doobies led by Scooby-Doo and the Really Rottens led by Mumbly.

Development
During production of the series, Melody, Alexander Cabot III, Alexandra Cabot and Sebastian from Josie and the Pussycats and Jeannie from Jeannie were originally going to be members of the Scooby Doobies, but were scrapped due to legal issues from Archie Comics and Columbia Pictures Television, respectively. Additionally, Dick Dastardly and Muttley from the Wacky Races cartoon were originally going to lead the Really Rottens, but were scarped due to the characters being co-owned by Heatter-Quigley Productions and replaced by the new character, Dread Baron and the already existing Mumbly respectively.

Although many of the Really Rottens were original characters, they were inspired by existing characters, Daisy Mayhem was based on Moonbeam McSwine from L'il Abner, who also had a pet pig, much like Daisy did. The Creepleys were based on the Gruesomes, originally from The Flintstones although they weren't altogether villainous like the Creepleys. The Dread Baron was based on the Red Baron and Dick Dastardly from the Wacky Races cartoon. Great Fondoo was based on Abner K. Dabra from the 1963 book, Yogi Bear and the Cranky Magician and Magic Rabbit's design was based on the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland or What's a Nice Kid Like You Doing in a Place Like This?.

Shortly after "The Swiss Alps and Tokyo, Japan" was finished in production, Alan Reed, the voice of Fred Flintstone, passed away and his role was taken over by Henry Corden, who did Fred's later guest appearances on the show.

Cast

 * Don Messick as Scooby-Doo, Mumbly, Announcer, Boo Boo Bear, Mr. Creepley, Junior Creepley, Dastardly Dalton and Pixie
 * Casey Kasem as Shaggy Rogers
 * Daws Butler as Yogi Bear, Augie Doggie, Blabber, Dirty Dalton, Dixie, Hokey Wolf, Huckleberry Hound, Mr. Jinks, Quick Draw McGraw, Scooby-Dum, Snagglepuss, Snooper and Wally Gator
 * Mel Blanc as Barney Rubble, Captain Caveman and Speed Buggy
 * Frank Welker as Dynomutt, Jabberjaw, Magic Rabbit, Sooey Pig, Tinker and Yakky Doodle
 * Julie Bennett as Cindy Bear
 * Joe Besser as Babu
 * Scatman Crothers as Hong Kong Phooey
 * Bob Holt as Dinky Dalton, Grape Ape and Orful Octopus
 * Gary Owens as Blue Falcon
 * Laurel Page as Mrs. Creepley and Taffy Dare
 * Marilyn Schreffler as Brenda Chance and Daisy Mayhem
 * John Stephenson as Doggie Daddy, Dread Baron, Mildew Wolf and The Great Fondoo
 * Vernee Watson as Dee Dee Skyes