Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Velma

  • Jinkies! ‘Velma’ Season Two Reportedly In The Works

    Jinkies! ‘Velma’ Season Two Reportedly In The Works

    Warner Bros. TV is planning more firepower for its slate of comedy series, including a second season for Velma. Despite significant backlash from the first season of the HBO Max original, there are plans to forge ahead. There have been no indications of storylines for season two, but it’s reasonable to suspect the series will continue to push boundaries.

    Mindy Kaling, executive producer and voice of Velma Dinkley, previously spoke about wanting to explore the possibilities of challenging expectations. Showrunner Charlie Grandy backs Kaling saying, “We faced no resistance. We came in and said, ‘This is what we want to do, and this is how we want to do it.’”

    If Velma season two is going to work, it will likely be on the efforts of the pure viewing numbers alone. The show holds the record for the biggest premiere day for any animated original on HBO Max.

    Source: Deadline

  • REVIEW: ‘Velma’ is Too Cynical and Meta for its Own Good

    REVIEW: ‘Velma’ is Too Cynical and Meta for its Own Good

    Scooby-Doo is back with an animated series that explores Mystery Inc. before they united to take on mysteries across the United States. Yet, this time around, the series will not include the iconic cartoon dog and also takes some cues from popular R-rated series. Velma is trying to be the most unique take of a classic franchise, but somehow loses its way in trying way too hard and also overcompensates with its meta-humor.

    There’s one thing worth praising about Velma and that is the animation. The character designs are surprisingly detailed and the hallucination sequences are actually quite impressive visually. Once they add some shading, the animation suddenly pushes the series to shine beyond just being Scooby-Doo meets Family Guy. There are also some surprisingly creative shot composition that make this series visually stand out from others.

    Yet, not even some of its most visually stunning moments can’t cover the series’ general issue of just trying too hard. The series opens with a sequence of supposedly 15-year-olds naked in the showers talking about clichéd plotlines. Theere’s no subtlety in this series that seems quite desperate on showcasing that it’s subverting expectations by repeating some we’ve seen with other shows.

    Many compare it to Harley Quinn, but that series has the advantage of feeling like a DC Comics adaptation first and a meta-commentary second. In the case of Velma, it feels like the series was written to subvert the storylines and expectations of these characters before looking at its characters. There’s an overarching mystery but it feels like the series is more interested in making fun of TV storylines rather than telling an actual story.

    We have a murder mystery at its core, but it seems more like an afterthought. There’s no real hint at who might actually be the murderer. So, you as a viewer have no incentive to get invested and just wait for the reveal. Plus, we have a mystery built around her mother going missing that also doesn’t really feel relevant. Velma’s big character struggle is she feels guilt over her mother leaving in the form of hallucinations when she solves “mysteries.”

    Yet, it also changes the rules of when and how they appear; something pointed out in the series. Telling the audience that a clichéd plotline is the way it is while still doing it takes away from the experience. It falls flat as a joke and the subversion isn’t as poignant as it may have seemed at first. The running gag built around Glenn Howerton‘s take on Fred Jones goes on for too long and overstays its welcome; once again taking away any commentary it was trying to make. It’s stumbling something that Be Cool, Scooby-Doo managed better back in 2015.

    Mindy Kaling gives a decent performance as Velma Dinkley, who is constantly sarcastic and not a very likable character most of the time. Her dynamic with Constanze Wu‘s Daphne is the most interesting part of the show, but they also try so hard to subvert expectations that they end up repeating old cliches, such as with Norville’s attempts to woo him. The fact they are desperately trying to avoid the character’s well-established name showcases how it takes away elements we’ve come to love without honoring them along the way.

    The diverse cast is great and could’ve been used for great effect to further explore these characters. Making good use of their backgrounds to establish what they have in common and how they differ to create a strong bond for the future members of Mystery Inc. It’s not even original in this attempt, as even the film SCOOB! that released in 2020 when Gina Rodriguez voiced the character, which added elements to the character from her new cultural background.

    Meta humor can be funny, but if used reasonably. The risk of using this kind of humor is that it comes at the cost of an interesting story arc or an abundance of cynicism. Most of the cast is extremely one-note and besides the before-mentioned duo, there’s not much development here. They took very specific character traits from the original and blew them up in a way that loses what made these characters so memorable.

    Subsequently, the humor doesn’t truly land because most of it is trying to be clever. Norville making a comment he doesn’t like drugs isn’t funny, because the whole running gag was never alluded to in the first place. Hell, the original live-action Scooby-Doo movie made a better joke around that jokey assumption back in 2002. That same film was built around the idea of subverting the clichés that developed around the series. So, the show’s core premise isn’t as original as it’s trying to be.

    It tried too hard to be clever while doing a schtick we’ve come to expect once “meta-humor” is alluded to even for a second. Outside of its animation, the series sadly falls flat even if it could’ve been so much more. There’s nothing wrong with a more adult take on Scooby-Doo and it could’ve worked with this cast of characters. Yet, the show’s cynical take on subversion is overshadowing any of that potential leaving us with an uninteresting mystery to watch.

  • From ‘Velma’ to ‘Midnight Club:’ Hunter’s Top 5 NYCC Experiences

    From ‘Velma’ to ‘Midnight Club:’ Hunter’s Top 5 NYCC Experiences

    After months of anticipation, New York Comic-Con has come and gone. Four incredible, lovely, tiring days of being a professional nerd. If one were to tell my younger self he was attending events like NYCC as a member of the press, that little guy would explode with excitement. It’s an honor, and every moment spent sprinting around the convention center is one worth talking about. However, we have neither the time nor the patience to discuss every second, so I’ve narrowed it down to my top five experiences instead. Creating a list like this is difficult when so much of the weekend was such a good time, so don’t take it as a condemnation of anything that didn’t make the cut. It’s really just the highlight reel for a perfect game.

    5. Cosplayers

    I love other nerds, so getting to see and talk to them is always going to make the list. I’ve been to quite a few conventions in my day, and if I’m being honest, this year’s NYCC might have been one of the most impressive when it came to fan creativity and cosplay. Every day, the costumes roaming the show floor seemed to become more and more complicated. Many were striking enough to stop me in my tracks. There were giant functioning robot suits, perfect renderings of classic comic looks, hilarious combinations of characters that most would never think to put together, and even one or two people who defied gravity. I saw a man floating and I’m still not sure how he did it.

    The communal love we show each other at places like NYCC, as people with a common interest, is so inspiring. I found this to be especially true at the Marvel booth’s cosplay contest, where dozens upon dozens of folks dressed as every Marvel character a person could think of gathered to celebrate one another. There was no hostility or jealousy. Just a lot of compliments and happy reunions.

    4. The George Lucas Talk Show

    I’m a sucker for comedy and a lover of Star Wars. Therefore, showing up for a live recording of The George Lucas Talk Show at NYCC was a given. For those outside the know, this a satirical show in which comedian Connor Ratliff dresses up as Star Wars creator George Lucas and interviews real celebrities with deadpan delivery. It’s sort of a niche little corner of fandom to find yourself in, but if you like absurdist humor, it comes highly recommended.

    The George Lucas Talk Show records an episode at NYCC every year, using the event to secure top Star Wars talent as guests. This time, they managed to secure Mandalorian stuntmen Brendan Wayne and Lateef Crowder, as well as Aphra comic writer Alyssa Wong and show regular Zach Cherry – who exists more in the world of Marvel than the galaxy far, far away. Belly laughs were aplenty, especially when Wayne admitted that Din Djarin is “never nude,” and the recording was a great little break from the chaos of the show floor.

    3. The Midnight Club

    I’ve loved Mike Flanagan’s work for years. He’s easily one of the best horror creatives currently shaping the genre. So, it was my great pleasure to see him and the entire cast of The Midnight Club take the stage at NYCC for the world premiere of his latest Netflix series. Watching horror with a crowd is so much fun, and the delightful Q&A that followed was even better. The cast and crew were brought onstage alongside a choir of mysterious, hooded, candle-carrying figures, with the lights dimmed all the way down. A theatrical touch I greatly appreciated.

    I was also there in person to see Flanagan and his team awarded the Guinness World Record for Most Jump Scares in an episode of television. Not only did it make for a great laugh, but now I’m able to check “watch someone receive a world record” off my bucket list. A little two-for-one special at one of the convention’s most underrated panels. Make sure you watch the show, it’s worth it!

    2. Velma

    My time at NYCC began with coverage for Velma, the upcoming animated adult comedy from The Office star Mindy Kaling. Before the Main Stage panel began, I had to opportunity to attend the project’s press room, which meant I was lucky enough to share space with Kaling herself as she answered a variety of questions from the journalists in the room. This was exciting in and of itself, but it was Kaling’s genuine kindness and clear joy that really made it so memorable. It was only my second time in a convention press room, and it was all so warm and welcoming.

    Of course, things only got better once the actual panel started. The casting announcements were a surprise for me, and I almost dropped out of my seat when Sam Richardson and Glenn Howerton’s faces appeared onstage. Those of us in attendance were also treated to a screening of the series’ first episode, which was wonderful from start to finish. I wasn’t sure what to expect from Velma going in, but it was definitely not a disappointment. Now, I consider it one of the best moments from the entirety of my time at Javits Center.

    1. Violent Night


    I never would have expected this going into the convention, but the World Premiere screening of Tommy Wirkola’s Violent Night was probably the most fun I had during all four days. Starring David Harbour as Santa Claus, the film sees jolly old Saint Nicholas mercilessly tearing through a group of trained hitmen on Christmas Eve. This isn’t the space for a review, but I can say witnessing that madness with the cast and crew sitting beside me, and a theater full of screaming fans, was an absolute blast. There’s something special about living through the magic that is a large group being insanely happy in unison.

    A member of the cast sat behind me during the showing, and hearing the hoots and hollers from his family during key moments was fulfilling and sustaining. Screaming, laughing, and cheering with all my fellow horror fans was a ride. Sitting in the first few rows, and being only feet from Harbour and John Leguizamo as they introduced the screening, was a very warm feeling. One of those experiences that reminds me why I’m doing what I do.

  • HBO Max’s ‘Velma’ Adds Constance Wu, Sam Richardson, Glenn Howerton and Many More

    HBO Max’s ‘Velma’ Adds Constance Wu, Sam Richardson, Glenn Howerton and Many More

    Mindy Kaling has been busy during New York Comic-Con promoting her upcoming HBO Max series, Velma. The darker take on the Scooby-Doo franchise explores the story of Velma Dinkley before she joins Mystery Inc. or even is a thought. While details have been sparse, it looks like we finally got the full cast revealed for the series.

    Mindy Kaling takes on the role of Velma while Sam Richardson joins to take on the iconic role of Norville, better known as Shaggy. Glenn Howerton will play the series’ take on Fred with Constance Wu taking on the role of Daphne. They are joined by Frank Welker, Jane Lynch, Russell Peters, Wanda Sykes, Melissa Fumero, Gary Cole, Ken Leung, Stephen Root, Cherry Jones, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Sarayu Blue, Yvonne Orji, Fortune Feimster, Ming-Na Wen, Shay Mitchell, Debby Ryan, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Kulap Vilaysak.

    The first time we got a good look at the project was with a still during May’s upfronts, where they first confirmed their take on Velma will be of South Asian descent. The new take will definitely be interesting but it highlights how the franchise continues to be quite popular and open to many different iterations throughout the years. We’ll see if the childhood classic finds its footing as an r-rated project.

    Source: Hollywood Reporter

  • NYCC: Mindy Kaling and Charlie Grandy Tease their HBO Max ‘Scooby-Doo’ Prequel ‘Velma’

    NYCC: Mindy Kaling and Charlie Grandy Tease their HBO Max ‘Scooby-Doo’ Prequel ‘Velma’

    One of New York Comic-Con’s most exciting panels is for Velma, a new animated series from executive producer Mindy Kaling and showrunner Charlie Grandy. The former The Office breakout, a multifaceted talent in her own right, will voice Velma Dinkley in a reimagining of the character that sees her come from South Asian descent. Velma, who is billed as “the mystery before the Inc.”, will explore the origins of the title character and the rest of the iconic Scooby-Doo gang from an adult-oriented viewpoint. Kaling and Grandy were on hand at NYCC to discuss the series in-depth for the press, and Murphy’s Multiverse was in attendance to make note of it all.

    Kaling began the panel by explaining that Velma was chosen as the protagonist because she offered the most unique perspective for storytelling. She also mentioned that she was happy to play the character because Dinkley was always the one she related to the most. Projects like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Riverdale were mentioned as inspirations for telling diverse stories about teenagers in the modern world, with a change to adult-oriented comedy giving fans of the franchise a new way of looking at the Scooby-Doo universe. Kaling clarified the series will not be for children and will cover topics like “teenage urges“. Grandy mentioned he wanted to take a look at why a group of kids would commit their lives to hunting criminals and solving murders, which Kaling ensured the press would be actually sort of terrifying.

    Finally, the creative team confirmed Velma would take cues from the original 1960s series but would mostly have its own voice. Fans can expect to see origins for Velma’s famous “JINKIES!” catchphrase, and Shaggy’s well-known nickname. He’ll be called by his birth name otherwise. Velma’s relationship with her father will also be a major part of the series, something Kaling was especially excited about. More will be revealed when the cast and crew take the Main Stage later today, but for now, fans can feast their minds on more Velma information than ever before.

  • First Look at Mindy Kaling’s ‘Scooby-Doo’ Spinoff ‘Velma’

    First Look at Mindy Kaling’s ‘Scooby-Doo’ Spinoff ‘Velma’

    Many were surprised when Mindy Kaling was working on a Scooby-Doo spinoff that would mainly focus on the character of Velma Dinkley. It would act as a prequel series, but still include the usual mystery format that made the franchise so popular. During Warner Bros. Discovery’s TV Upfront event, creator Mindy Kaling came on stage and offered the first look at the series, which you can see here:

    https://twitter.com/Variety/status/1526950560716533762

    It certainly is going to offer something more mind-blowing than we may have anticipated, as the series has been known to focus on a more adult audience even if animated. Still, no one probably would’ve guessed to see someone with their head chopped open and their brain missing. So, we might expect quite a lot of violence and murder in this spinoff series.

    It’s unclear but the redhead could be Daphne Blake, as its uncertain if the rest of the Mystery Inc. gang will appear in the series in some capacity. Plus, they may also be reimagined such as Velma being South Asian in this series, which is a nice change of pace similar to how the Scoob! movie also being Hispanic, where she was voiced by Gina Rodriguez. The first look is promising and it’ll be interesting to see just what the series has to offer.

    Source: Twitter