“Scooby-Doo Superfan Shares Collection and Podcast Passion”

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Alexa Lawlor has amassed a vast array of Scooby-Doo memorabilia, losing count of the exact number of items in her collection. The 28-year-old resident of Regina has invested in her collection without keeping track of the total expenditure or getting it professionally valued.

For Lawlor, collecting goes beyond mere acquisition; each item holds a personal connection or story. She emphasized, “If an item lacks a narrative, it doesn’t find a place in my collection. I can recall where I acquired each piece, why it holds significance for me, and why I find it enjoyable or important.”

Lawlor finds it challenging to pinpoint the exact commencement of her collection. Her fascination with Scooby-Doo began during her childhood upon discovering a Scooby-Doo VHS tape and a toy won by her brother at a fair.

Affection from the Start

The moment she laid eyes on the toy, Lawlor recounted, she was immediately captivated. Growing up in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Scooby-Doo was a prevalent gifting choice due to the release of live-action movies, fueling Lawlor’s collection journey.

Over time, Lawlor’s collection expanded, with Scooby-Doo items adorning various areas of her home. The scale of her collection hit her in recent years when she found space to exhibit her treasures, spanning her living room with eight bookshelves and extending into the kitchen and hallway.

Lawlor’s affinity for vintage items extends to jigsaw puzzles, VHS tapes, dolls, figurines, action figures, and stuffed animals in her collection. Additionally, she possesses unique memorabilia such as character reference guides used by Hanna-Barbera staff and a framed comic book ad believed to be the initial promotion for the original 1969 TV show, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!

Lawlor also treasures a print autographed by Hanna-Barbera founders William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, along with Iwao Takamoto, the original animator of the Scooby-Doo gang.

Bold in Pursuit

Upon entering Lawlor’s living room, visitors are greeted by a large cardboard display featuring the Scooby-Doo gang and the Mystery Machine, acquired from a Spirit Halloween store. Lawlor often discovers new additions to her collection through online platforms, second-hand stores, flea markets, antique shops, and garage sales.

Describing her knack for spotting potential additions, Lawlor humorously stated, “I call it my ‘Scooby Sense.’ If I can identify the right colors or recognize an item I know exists from a distance, I can make a beeline for it.”

Lawlor shared an amusing incident at the Calgary Stampede where she successfully convinced a man to sell her a giant, stuffed Scooby-Doo toy that he had just won at a game of chance.

Venturing into Podcasting

During the early stages of the pandemic, Lawlor initiated her podcast, The Unmasked History of Scooby-Doo. Leveraging her journalism background and communications expertise, Lawlor ventured into a podcast focusing on her cherished franchise.

She expressed her inspiration for the podcast, citing a desire to revive the special features found on DVDs containing interviews with key figures involved in the shows. Through her podcast, Lawlor interviews individuals connected to the Scooby-Doo franchise, including Frank Welker, the voice behind “Fred” and the recent voice of Scooby-Doo.

Reflecting on the podcast’s success, Lawlor marveled at the enthusiasm displayed by individuals eager to discuss the beloved franchise with her. She shared her delight in interacting with voice actors who occasionally embodied their characters during interviews.

Regarding her enduring fascination with Scooby-Doo, Lawlor highlighted the show’s ability to take viewers on a captivating journey within each 22-minute episode. She emphasized the relatability of the characters and the comforting resolution of unmasking the villains, creating a sense of safety and enjoyment.