The creative Scooby-Doo reimagining that is HBO Max's Velma has been confirmed for season 2, despite the massive controversy surrounding it. Velma is derived from Scooby-Doo canon, but has amassed attention for having little to do with any of the adaptations that have come before it. Although Velma pays homage to its beloved Scooby-Doo origins, the considerable backlash geared toward the series keeps Velma rooted to criticism and excessive hate.
Velma still follows a group of teenagers motivated to solve a local mystery befuddling the community - in season 1's case, the serial murders of the Coolsville High "hot girls" and, incomparably, the disappearance of Velma Dinkley's mother. However, the deliberately satirical nature and Velma having an R rating, make this new addition to the Scooby-Doo franchise challenging to the palate. Compared to the original Scooby gang and series, the shift in viewing experience from family-friendly to adult animation can be quite the hard pill to swallow.
Velma Season 1 Was HBO Max's Most Watched Animated Show
Despite Velma's many striking distinctions from Scooby-Doo, the controversial new series has become HBO Max's most watched animated show, which may explain reports of Velma season 2 happening. There are also many reasons as to why curious followers who have grown with the Scooby-Doo franchise may have been drawn in droves to contribute to its massive debut. The most obvious and shocking adjustments in Velma are perhaps the major changes to the Scooby gang.
Velma's cast and characters are purposefully more diverse, which lends to the show's satirical nature, but retains the nostalgic characteristics of the original series. As many viewers likely grew up with the Scooby-Doo franchise, a present-day retelling with a high school twist fits a much wider scope of fan in its audience. Similarly, those who grew up with Scooby-Doo are now afforded the chance to witness an adaptation tailored specifically to the adult demographic. More simply, curious fans could have been drawn to the more mature humor and expanded concepts in Velma's storyline.
How Velma's Controversies Might've Helped The Show's Success
What is certain is that Velma predicted its own backlash, and controversy breeds attention. Ideally, the majority of the increase in attention that eventually led to Velma becoming HBO Max's most watched animated show would come from support of its creative choices to employ diversity and satire. Unfortunately, it has come to be known that Velma's creative choices are partially why the show has garnered its most extensive hate and criticisms.
The Velma TV show's audience likely contained many curious parties watching to see what the criticisms and backlash were all about, and what the biggest problems were. In a self-fulfilling prophecy, those who watched Velma to join the outcry may have actually secured its future. Regardless of how it happened, Velma has captured enough attention to justify production on season 2. What type of audience Velma season 2 will amass might give more insight into how the Scooby-Doo reboot will be perceived once the furor dies down.