‘Scooby’s Laff-A-Lympics: The Complete Series’ Blu-ray Review
For a little over a decade, the major networks NBC, CBS and ABC would compete in what was called The Battle of the Network Stars. Stars of popular TV series would compete against one another in Olympic-style events, all to see who was the best. In September 1977, Hanna-Barbera would bring some of their greatest cartoon stars together for their version of the Battle of the Network Stars. This series was entitled Scooby’s Laff-A-Lympics, and now Warner Archive Collection have released all 24 episodes on Blu-ray.
Sports, spoofs, and shenanigans abound when three teams of favorite Hanna-Barbera characters the Scooby Doobies, the Yogi Yahooeys and the Really Rottens compete for glory in all 24 original episodes of this fan-favorite series. Hosted by yellow-jacketed commentators Snagglepuss and Mildew Wolf, the fractured face-offs feature other animated immortals joining Scooby Doo including Huckleberry Hound, Yogi Bear, Wally Gator, Dynomutt and many more.
In the late 1960s, Wacky Races set the bar for animated competition shows – and what a classic it remains. Hanna-Barbera later revisited that formula with Scooby’s Laff-A-Lympics, another all-star contest packed with familiar faces. The series brings together a host of beloved characters, voiced by legendary talents like Daws Butler, Mel Blanc, Alan Reed, Casey Kasem, Scatman Crothers and Joe Besser, among others. While Scooby’s Laff-A-Lympics is an enjoyable, lighthearted watch, it never quite reaches the same iconic heights as Wacky Races.
Scooby’s Laff-A-Lympics has been transferred to Blu-ray in 1080p and is presented in 1.33:1 aspect ratio. The audio track is an English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono. There is also the option for English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.
As for bonus features, there’s only one on offer – but thankfully, it’s a solid inclusion. Scooby-Doo! Spooky Games is a 23-minute Warner Bros. production that sees Scooby and the gang heading to London for the World Invitational Games… only to end up caught in another mystery, because of course they do. It’s presented in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Digital 2.0 audio, and serves as a fun little extra that fans of the franchise will definitely appreciate.
All 24 episodes of Scooby’s Laff-A-Lympics and the bonus Spooky Games are spread across 3 Blu-ray discs. What results is a crisp and clean, beautifully colourful cartoon series that would make a nice addition to your Hanna-Barbera Collection.
***½ 3.5/5
Scooby’s Laff-A-Lympics is out on Blu-ray now.
______
