HBO Max's cartoon series 'Velma' offers the titular Mystery Inc. gal an starting place story. But wait, why isn't Scooby-Doo in it? Let's resolve this thriller!
We have one thing to say: Jinkies. If you are not conversant in that iconic one-word catchline, then you most probably aren't aware of Mystery Incorporated. See, Mystery Inc. includes a gang of meddling kids who act as newbie detectives and crime-solvers (there's a staggering amount of spooky crimes to be investigated). Oh, yeah, in addition they personal a cool van and a jittery speaking Great Dane named Scooby-Doo.
OK, you may have for sure heard of the Scooby-Doo franchise, which originated in 1969 with the release of the groundbreaking Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! cartoon. For decades since then, Scooby-Doo has proficient audiences of every age with oodles of snickers and scares (we in particular love 1998's Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island).
Now, in 2023, a certain brainy, visually-impaired Mystery Inc. gal with an affinity for orange and pink is getting an beginning tale. And her catchline is "Jinkies."
From showrunner and government manufacturer Charlie Grandy and government producer Mindy Kaling (The Office) — who additionally voices the titular character — HBO Max's adult cartoon Velma "tells the origin story of Velma Dinkley, the unsung and underappreciated brains of the Scooby-Doo Mystery Inc. gang."
But wait, where's Scooby-Doo himself? The series is void of the cherished high-strung canine, and you'll be wondering why. We think we higher break up up! Just kidding. Stay with us, we are here to provide an explanation for.
Scooby-Doo doesn't appear as a personality in HBO Max's 'Velma.'
Like, Scoob, why are not you in HBO Max's prequel series? Well, given that Velma — which "unmasks the complex and colorful past of one of America’s most beloved mystery solvers" — is an adult-geared show, the verdict considerations "respect" for Scooby-Doo himself.
"We wanted to be respectful. We didn't want to take these beloved characters and put them in outrageous or gross situations and say, like, 'Isn't it crazy if he did that to Velma?'" Charlie Grandy explained all over a panel at New York Comic Con in October 2022.
"So, when we were thinking about what makes it a kids' show and what make it an adult show, the dog, Scooby, is what really seemed to — we couldn't get a take on it," he endured.
“It felt like what made it a children’ display was Scooby-Doo. That coincided with Warner Bros. Animation announcing, ‘Hey, you can’t use the canine,'” Charlie shared. Ah, there it's, a concrete explanation why for Scooby's absence.
“So we have been like, ‘Great, this works out smartly,'” he mentioned with a snigger.
The creators of #Velma share why there's no Scooby-Doo in the impending adult animated series. https://t.co/kAANN6sdzo pic.twitter.com/5QR2Ajqh2S
— Variety (@Variety) October 6, 2022Alongside Mindy Kaling's Velma Dinkley (yes, Velma is Indian!), the series stars Sam Richardson (Veep) as Shaggy Rogers, Constance Wu (Hustlers) as Daphne Blake, and Glenn Howerton (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) as Fred Jones. Velma also options voice work from Debby Ryan (Insatiable), Frank Welker (Scoob!), and Shay Mitchell (You), among others.
Grab some Scooby Snacks and cling onto your glasses, as a result of Velma premieres on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, on HBO Max.
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