VELMA Appears to be Another Example of a Decent Show Ruined by a Forced Connection to an Existing IP
HBO Max recently dropped the first full trailer for Velma. This series is supposed to be an R-rated spin-off of Scooby-Doo that explores an origin of Velma Dinkley. It has been met with a lack of enthusiasm to say the least. Now, the series has launched on HBO Max, and maybe it ends up being a moment where everyone puts their feet in their mouths as more people watch it. That being said, I think this is an important case to help outline once again that studios need to allow and even encourage new original IPs.
I’ve heard a rumor that Velma was originally proposed as its own IP, but some executives forced them to make it related to Scooby-Doo. Now, I have no idea if there is even an ounce of truth to this rumor, but I don’t think it’s that farfetched. Having watched the trailer, but not the actual show, there’s a decent skeleton of a show there. It’s an animated high school mystery show that really leans into the R-rated moments it’s allowed. We know there will be murders, language, drugs, probably sex, and more. It feels more like an R-rated animated Riverdale honestly. I think the main problem is that it’s trying to be connected to Scooby-Doo.
Yes, there are people who say that this show was ruined when they changed the race of many of the characters, but I think they’re wrong. I actually don’t think the race of any of the characters is integral to their character. That’s where we do see the problem though. Based on the trailer, it appears that many of the key characteristics for Mystery Inc. are not present. For starters, we’re missing a key character: Scooby-Doo. From all the art, trailers, clips, etc released, there has been zero indication that there is a talking, or even a non-talking, dog named Scooby-Doo involved. Not only does this remove the most key member of Mystery Inc., but it also removes one of Shaggy’s key characteristics: his relationship with Scooby-Doo. Probably the two biggest components of Shaggy’s character are that relationship with Scooby-Doo and his insatiable appetite. Watching the trailer, Shaggy doesn’t feel like Shaggy because we don’t have those items that are key to the character. Instead we get a character that seems more like a stereotypical high school stoner.
My guess is that Velma is not going to be very well liked or received all because it’s branded as a Scooby-Doo show. When connected to such a beloved IP, fans will have expectations and preconceived notions. Heck, this whole article is basically sharing some of my expectations and notions. If Velma was not connected to Scooby-Doo, I think myself and many others would be much more interested. Of course, if Velma was always planned to be a spin-off of Scooby-Doo and the aforementioned rumor is false, I think this is a misstep and it should’ve been pivoted into an original series.
Mindy Kaling is a very talented actor and writer, so I have no doubt that she could come up with a great series that doesn’t rely on an existing IP. She’s joined by Constance Wu, Sam Richardson, and Glenn Howerton, who are also very talented. I actually dig the animation and character designs as well. If Velma was a new and original IP, I don’t think it would’ve had most of the backlash it received and I think many would’ve given it a warm welcome. Dear every studio out there: allow and encourage creators to bring you new and original IP. I think Velma is yet another prime example of why we need them.
It’s also not like we don’t already have a darker and edgier version of Scooby-Doo.. Mystery Incorporated was a great show (with a clumsy finale) that was definitely darker. Sure, it wasn’t R-rated, but I think you could take it and my personal favorite entry, Be Cool, Scooby-Doo!, and throw in some of the more R-rated content they wanted to make a more successful show connected to the IP.
If you have watched Velma, please let me know your thoughts in the comments and if it is something that does indeed fit Scooby-Doo. Do I need to find a way to watch it? Am I just full of hot air?