A Nation in Turmoil
The assassination of Robert F. Kennedy on June 5, 1968, sent shockwaves through the United States. As a father of 11 and a vocal advocate for children’s welfare, Kennedy’s death intensified concerns over violence in media, including Saturday morning cartoons. Television networks, pressured by civic groups like the National PTA and alarmed by moral outcries, began reevaluating their programming.
The End of Violent Cartoons
Before Kennedy’s death, Hanna-Barbera and other studios dominated the airwaves with action-packed shows like “Space Ghost” and “The Herculoids,” which featured fantasy violence to boost ratings. However, after Kennedy’s assassination, public discourse shifted. President Lyndon B. Johnson formed a National Commission on Violence, and calls to reduce media violence surged. Networks faced mounting pressure to pivot away from action-adventure programming.
Scooby-Doo’s Birth
Amid this upheaval, CBS and Hanna-Barbera sought a safer, comedic alternative for children. They conceived “Scooby-Doo, Where are You!” to replace violent narratives with humor and mystery. The show debuted in 1969, offering lighthearted adventures where the gang solved mysteries without real peril.
The assassination of Robert F. Kennedy on June 5, 1968, sparked a moral panic over violence in media. As a father of 11 and advocate for children, his death amplified public pressure to reduce violent content in children’s programming, reshaping Saturday morning television. pic.twitter.com/l9u9VnqbJH
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