I’m gonna be honest. Josie and the Pussycats is one of those shows that I always KNEW about (I mean, who hasn’t?) but never really watched. I knew the catchy theme song, I knew the general conceit, I knew it was Hanna-Barbera… but it just never made my Saturday morning must-see list.

The original series recently landed on Blu-ray for the first time, thanks to the good folks at Warner Archive, so I decided to rectify my childhood oversight.

And imagine my surprise when I discovered the show wasn’t JUST about a 70s pop singing sensation. The animated Josie and the Pussycats debuted in 1970 and was based on Archie Comics of the same name (created by Dan DeCarlo).

But the original incarnation of the show, which ran for just 16 episodes in 1970 and 1971, shares much of its DNA with the original Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! Jinkies!

From the slightly creepy mysteries to villains in disguise, the show follows a very familiar template. On top of that…

• Casey Kasem voiced Alexander Cabot III, Josie’s manager, and did very little to distinguish that voice from Shaggy’s.
• Josie’s tall, blond love interest – Alan Mayberry – bears a striking resemblance to Fred Jones… right down to his ridiculous ascot.
• Don Messick, the original voice of Scooby-Doo, lends his “voice” to Sebastian, an evil laughing cat that admittedly sounds more like Muttley (another Messick character) than Scooby, but it’s hard to ignore.

The new release includes all 16 episodes on 2 discs, plus a special featurette on creator Dan DeCarlo. It’s great fun visiting this classic show for the first time, and if you were a fan from back in the day, the episodes, I’m sure, have never looked better than they do in HD.

It’s also fantastic to see Warner Archive finally giving Blu-ray love to the classic Hanna-Barbera shows. From the aforementioned Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! to Space Ghost & Dino Boy to The Flintstones and more, we’re living in a minor golden age for classic cartoons… at least for those of us who still use physical media.