ABC began threatening cancellation for the show, as the show's ratings were declining and
Fred Silverman, one of the show's biggest backers at ABC, had left for
NBC in 1978. ABC was going to choose between two shows: Scooby-Doo or an unnamed pilot from
Ruby Spears Enterprises. Therefore, for its 1979–1980 season,
Scooby-Doo was given a major overhaul, adding the character of
Scooby's nephew
Scrappy-Doo, voiced by
Lennie Weinrib, and changing the name of the show to
Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo. Although still present in these episodes, the characters of
Fred,
Daphne, and
Velma became less essential to the plot, and it became more of a concentrated effort to try and make them relevant, once the new character's presence shed light on it. However, they ultimately were removed by the next season.
Shaggy, Scooby and Scrappy were the main focus. Marla Frumkin took over
Pat Stevens' role as Velma Dinkley towards the end of the season, beginning with episode 12, "The Ghoul, the Bat, and the Ugly". ==Episodes==