This Isn't Your Mother's Strawberry Shortcake

Aug. 10, 2008 — -- Some cartoon characters never seem to age. For instance, Mickey Mouse, who was born a year before the stock market crash of 1929, doesn't look that different from his "Steamboat Willy" days.

And then there's Scooby Doo, who -- even in dog years -- still looks young.

But, while these characters don't get wrinkled, they do get old. And it's a challenge to keep them fresh and hip with their target audience.

"The inherent challenge of a classic character is, it becomes classic and it looks very much of another time," Chris Byrne, contributing editor for Toy and Family Entertainment magazine told "Good Morning America." "That's great if we're watching Shirley Temple movies, but if you're trying to reach today's girls or boys in a crowded marketplace, you have to have something that looks like what they're seeing around them."

For the 80s classic character Strawberry Shortcake, that means her traditional bloomers and spunky red curls are out, and a slicker look with lip gloss, sleeker outfit and modern, long strawberry locks are in.

"GMA's" Kate Snow visited Strawberry Shortcake in her cartoon land strawberry patch for a little one-on-one.

"Do you mind if I call you Strawberry?" Snow asked her animated friend.

Shortcake was not shy about showing off her new look.

"There's only one way to describe my new look: absolutely delicious!" exclaimed Shortcake. "Do you like my new hat? You know, sometimes you just gotta try something new."

"I love the hat. It's like a strawberry, only modern," Snow told Strawberry. "So, why did you need a makeover?"

"Why the makeover? I mean, who likes wearing the same outfit over and over? Life is all about discovering new ways to be yourself!" the pint-sized sage piped up. "You wouldn't do 'Good Morning America' in big hair and a leisure suit, wouldja?"

Snow thought about this for a moment, and replied, "I probably wouldn't, but Ron [Claiborne] might. So, how do you think your new look is going to help you?"

"How do I think my new look will help me?" she giggled. "I never thought about it that way! It's really more important to help others, right? That's how you make the berry best things happen!"