As a long-time fan of Scooby-Doo, I must admit that this new iteration has left me feeling quite bewildered and disheartened. The jokes in this Halloween special felt more like a cringe fest than a fun, spooky adventure with our beloved Mystery Inc. gang.
I must confess, the spin-off show centered around Velma has garnered quite a unique reputation. It’s often deemed so poorly executed that it’s not even enjoyable to watch ironically. The goal was to delve into Velma’s backstory, but sadly, the titular character seems to lack the intelligence, charisma, and moral fiber of the original, making it challenging to support or even tune in. In truth, there are so many alterations that it becomes questionable whether Velma belongs in the same universe as the classic Scooby-Doo series – a fact further emphasized by the absence of our beloved canine companion, Scooby.
The series has miraculously continued for two seasons, yet its humor often feels unfunny in comparison. This observation applies to “Velma’s” Halloween special titled “This Halloween Needs to be More Special!”, which was meant to delight viewers but unfortunately, the vast majority of the jokes are so awkward that one might question if they were tricked instead.
10 The Black Knight
In the tenth episode of Season 2, Velma was fatally wounded and the narrative shifts to the characters’ efforts to resuscitate her. Throughout this process, they discover another murder that gets attributed to the local legend known as the Black Knight. Amber, daughter of Thorn from the Hex Girls, becomes curious about this enigma and inquires, “Could someone clarify who the Black Knight is? And I’m wondering if it might be offensive, because it seems like it could be.
Daphne’s response? “It’s not, amazingly.”
Muddying its Own Message
As a fan, I find myself grappling with the notion that some are labeling Velma as overly “woke,” which ironically seems to undermine the very message she’s trying to convey. This dilemma, in essence, highlights the problem itself. The Black Knight character isn’t inherently racist, but when it’s presented in a manner that suggests otherwise, it’s at the expense of those who genuinely care about combating racism. While this might appear as an overly critical view on a mediocre joke, when so many jokes follow this pattern, it raises a significant question: Who is supposed to laugh, and why?
9 The Fault in Our Stars
To get Velma back, the group discovers they must retrieve a grimoire titled “A Witch’s Guide to Dark Magic“. When they locate it, Velma reveals that the book seemed to communicate with her, which puzzles Daphne and makes her wonder if she means the book “talked” to her in the same way as in “The Fault in our Stars” did. In response, Velma says, “Nothing will resonate with me like ‘The Fault in Our Stars‘.
The Fault in this Joke
This joke might potentially be amusing, but it faces several obstacles. Initially, the book being over a decade old makes the humor seem outdated. Moreover, and significantly, this portrayal of Velma seems inconsistent with her character. It’s hard to imagine why she would care about children with cancer, given that this version of Velma appears more likely to mock them rather than show compassion.
Thirdly… does this version of Velma even read?
(…Maybe she watched the movie version).
8 More Money Jokes
In my quest for the necessary book to revive Velma, I found myself in possession of an audio version, narrated by the esteemed Richard Kind. As you might wonder, you’re not alone – “Now, you may be wondering why a Drama Desk and Independent Spirit Award winner like Richard Kind is narrating this audiobook?” Indeed, they all seemed to share your curiosity. But Kind quickly clarified, “Well, as an actor, it’s not about the size of the role that matters; it’s all about the size of the paycheck.
Cheap Laughs
It’s acceptable to make jokes about greed, but similar to many other humor attempts linked to Velma, this one falls flat and seems unrelated to the storyline. Randomness can indeed serve as a comedic device, however, in this case, it fails to elicit laughter from the audience, leaving them feeling drained instead.
7 Velma’s Unlikability
To make Velma speak with him, a ghost named Geoff (also known as PT) abducts Daphne and transports her to a precipice where he had fallen to his death long ago. Given this history, it’s understandable that Velma believes Geoff is intending to harm her friend in the same way. Overwhelmed by fear, she shouts, “For heaven’s sake, don’t hurt her! Grab anyone else at the gathering instead. I’ll even suggest names if you need.
In the end, Geoff doesn’t harm Daphne, yet due to Velma’s character, the humor fizzles out instantly.
She Probably Meant It
In summary, Velma’s unpleasant demeanor, marked by her rudeness and critical attitude, has become her signature trait throughout the series. It’s puzzling why this version of her was made the central character, though there are other factors contributing to the show’s lackluster performance. Nonetheless, Velma’s personality ranks high among the reasons for its less-than-stellar reception.
It’s commendable that Velma doesn’t wish harm on Daphne, but her overzealousness in blaming others is far from amusing. Instead, it feels draining, especially since her alleged friends, Norville and Fred, could also be implicated.
…Not that she’s cared much about them before.
6 Like Father Like Daughter
Following the discovery that the parents of the gang were involved in Geoff’s demise, Geoff apprehended Velma’s father, Aman, and warned him he would take his life. As Aman was being taken away, he cried out, “No! I beg you, spar me, and I’ll assist you in eliminating the others.” It later becomes clear that Geoff lacked any real physical prowess, and Aman was released unscathed.
Repetition Done Wrong
1) It seems that Velma’s humor isn’t as effective the second time around; repeating her initial joke in this scene merely makes both instances feel awkward and uncomfortable.
5 Peeping Geoff
Following a talk with the gang’s parents regarding their involvement in his demise, Geoff learns they didn’t intend to kill him. During the gathering, he secretly watched others kissing, which led them to chase him off. As they approached the precipice, everyone stumbled at once, resulting in Geoff falling fatally. When the group implied it was partially his fault for spying on them, “PT” Peeping Tom wittily comments, “Back in the ’80s, that was seen as amusing rather than indecent.
Geoff’s Valid Point
It seems like Geoff could be correct in his observation. Over the years, humor evolves. Perhaps Velma’s jokes would have been amusing during a different period or may even strike us as funny in the future. However, for the most part, her jokes don’t resonate with people nowadays.
4 Missed Opportunity for Character Growth
In order for Velma to be brought back to life, each member of the group must confront their deepest apprehension. For Daphne, it’s the fear of missing out (FOMO), while for Fred, it’s finding a job, and for Velma, being overlooked. Norville, who serves as this universe’s equivalent to Shaggy, has a particularly moving fear: causing harm to someone he cares about. Despite his repeated attempts, he is unable to inflict pain on anyone, thereby preventing Velma from being revived.
In the closing moments of the intriguing episode, it was none other than Evelyn, a colleague at the Historical Society, who was exposed as the cunning mastermind behind the attempts to incriminate the Black Knight. At long last, I found myself in a position to declare, “Evelyn, I won’t be penning your prison stories,” to which she retorted, “You monster.
We Miss Shaggy
frankly speaking, the humor in this joke feels forced and falls flat, which is disappointing given its potential. Among the group, Norville appears to have developed the least, even compared to Velma. Despite his affection for her seemingly diminishing, he’s still ready to leave his girlfriend for her with little thought. Had he actually harmed someone he cared about deeply, particularly Velma, it could have led to a poignant moment of character development. Regrettably, the show opted for an easy, awkward joke that leaves us longing for Shaggy and the original cast members instead.
3 The Power of Sexiness
Following her daring escape from her captors, Evelyn admits she aims to reinstate the spooky essence of Halloween. The more terrifying the celebration gets, the stronger her abilities grow. To counteract this, performer and guest star Saweetie suggests they should capitalize on allure instead. She proceeds to explain various forms of allure, such as “men who are skilled with infants,” before concluding, “yes, it’s grounded in sexism, but you can’t ignore its attractive qualities.
Firstly, the camera shifts focus to Aman, accompanied by his child, Amanda, whom he mentions he had kept in the vehicle’s trunk. Subsequently, the scene concludes with Velma expressing her thoughts to Saweetie, “In my opinion, among all your appealing traits, what I find most captivating is your tenacity and business savvy.
…Cringe
As a seasoned comedy enthusiast with a decade of experience under my belt, I must say that this entire scene is a textbook example of what not to do when it comes to humor. Velma’s jokes are so cringeworthy that they seem more like a desperate attempt to be funny rather than a genuine attempt at making people laugh. From taking apart their own punchlines to being downright mean-spirited, her jokes fall flat on their face. It’s hard to find anything remotely amusing about this scene, and the only thing that makes me chuckle is the fact that I continue to watch despite it all. In my experience, good comedy requires a delicate balance of timing, wit, and relatability. Unfortunately, Velma seems to have missed the mark on all three counts.
2 Cutie Pie Zombie
In an effort to rekindle the true terror of Halloween, Evelyn resurrects Geoff as a zombie. Her strategy appears effective, causing him to unintentionally scare numerous individuals. Later, when Velma asks him to cease his frightening antics, he reveals his apprehension, exclaiming, “I should be serenading angels in Heaven instead. But here I am, a sweet zombie.
…What?
Just as we mentioned earlier, the unpredictable nature of humor often serves its purpose effectively. Yet, it can also produce something akin to what this joke currently presents.
1 Velma’s Funeral
To rescue the town, Velma selflessly summons her ascent light – a potent beam enabling her departure. She picks up Evelyn and both start ascending, but Evelyn points out they’re not going where she thought. Suddenly, the group is whisked away to Hell instead, providing an unexpectedly amusing twist.
At Velma’s funeral, Daphne delivers a heartfelt eulogy to an emotionally charged gathering. In reflecting on her relationship with the late Velma, who was deeply admired by the town, she encourages everyone to remember Velma as someone who always urged them to “ponder more profoundly, act with greater wisdom, and never sneeze when your mother is giving you a haircut.
A Fitting Eulogy, But Not a Funny One
This joke might still be effective. It’s not terribly offensive to begin with. However, due to its source being an unpopular character and the specific circumstances under which it’s delivered, it’s difficult for it to avoid being awkward. If the series doesn’t get renewed and ends on this note, Velma’s eulogy could be a fitting farewell – it’s lackluster, harsh, and ultimately not all that amusing, similar to the quality of the show itself.
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2024-10-09 05:32