by Mateo Biggs
As many know, HBO has always followed behind Netflix in the decision of making old shows with a new twist and bringing back childhood classics. From shows like “Titans” after the classic “Teen Titans”, to the most recent show “Velma” which comes from the ever timeless favorite “Scooby-Doo”. However, in terms of the latter, are these twisted remakes we want to see?
For those who don’t know, “Velma” was created earlier this year by executive producers Charlie Grandy, Howard Klein, Sam Register, and Mindy Kaling(“The Office”). Based on the infamous character Velma Dinkley, the show follows many of the characters we know recategorized into a modern Era of entertainment.
However, as far as the show goes, it leaves much to be desired. Beyond their names, characters no longer resemble any aspect of their previous iterations and beloved canine companion Scooby-Doo is no longer a dog but a food critic who ends up in a relationship with Shaggy– “call me Norville” –Roberts, Velma Dinkley seems to be a near self obsessed aggressor who tears down other people, and Daphne Blake simply seems to act as a near damsel in distress for Velma’s character.
New York Post– not to be confused with The New York Post –claims that viewers see “Velma” as “so insulting to the Scooby-Doo fanbase” while Mindy Kaling herself said on twitter that the show is “hilarious” and “sometimes scary”. The Atlantic states that the so-called edgy and satirical“concept, though, quickly grows old” with both audiences and critics. Even Forbes critiques that “Velma” is horrible “for its shallow sense of humor, which is extremely self-referential, and packed with snarky, pseudo-progressive one-liners that seem stolen from 2016 “girlboss” Twitter”. Rotten Tomatoes gave the show a 7% audience rating, with IMDb rating it a harsh 1.5/10. Even Google Review says that 11% of audiences enjoyed the show.
Despite these ratings and the constant protests from viewers, as of February 15th, 2023, “Velma” has been approved for a 2nd season. Although a premier date hasn’t been released, it has managed to be promised a new season to continue the dragging plot. Does a show with such low ratings deserve a season renewal? Or are the hate watching viewers fueling the prospective fire they’re setting? Regardless, perhaps there might be some hope for the new season, or perhaps protests will pull the plug and let “Velma” rest in the proverbial television in the sky.
