HBO Max's "Velma" has proven to be one of the most controversial shows on television in recent memory, but one metric shows that many fans are raving about it. In fact, the score is so low that one does not know whether to shout "RUH-ROH." or "ZOINKS."

The series, like the rebooted version, currently has a Rotten Tomatoes Audience score (open in new tab) of an alarmingly low 6%. This low number may be due to a number of reasons. It could partially be review bombardment from classic fans angry that Shaggy was recast as a black character or that Velma is now brown-skinned. We are not ignoring that possibility; we have seen one or two racist comments on that page (though it rarely happens).

Having said that, having seen Velma with my own eyes, I am not shocked at all. Why? Because Velma is, quite simply, a bad show. It is my least favorite thing I have seen on television in a while. I would even go so far as to say that the "Lord of the Rings" show "Rings of Power" (which I didn't like at all) was better.

Some of these user reviews are angry cries from fans who resent the legitimate changes; Itz Adriel S. gave it half stars and wrote, "Where tf is scooby doo 2. Why did they make fun of Fred, I missed it when he made trap 3. 2/ 10 ruined my childhood."

.

The expression "ruined my childhood" may or may not be hyperbole, but this review points out one of Verma's biggest problems. Fred is actually (in the author's opinion) one of the show's more interesting characters, so one's tastes may differ about the changes, but Velma is a show that always seems to be eager to alienate its audience.

User J C's review, actually taken as a correct opinion, states, "This was just a badly and incompetently written, lame joke trying to be edgy by referencing cultural stereotypes, plot and story that made no sense. A true disservice to the original cartoon and all other Scooby-Doo/Mystery Inc. productions."

Other quick quips include John M.'s "Just baddd. I couldn't even finish the first episode," and Adrian L.'s "The comedy is absolutely terrible, not to mention the useless plotting of the episode, and the meta-humor is shoved down your throat."[17 [However, Adrian S. claimed that Velma does not even appeal to an adult animated audience, "I assumed that all the online reviews were a slight exaggeration of how bad the show was. I was wrong; if anything, those reviews were too kind. I don't like crude humor, but I appreciate "Superbad" type movies to a point, and I love "South Park". The difference is that they actually contain humor. I have never laughed once watching Velma. Also, why would anyone like or sympathize with Velma? She is a terrible person who hates everyone, even those who are nice to her. Velma as a show is utterly awful. As a Scooby-Doo show, Velma is an unrecognizable disgrace."

Twitter user Jessie Earle (@jessiegender (opens in new tab)) aptly debunked the issue, pointing out that the real problem is the show's script, not Shaggy and Velma's skin color change.

Twitter user @tommyboy_1989 (opens in new tab) didn't realize the online negativity was true until he saw it:

As noted above, the attempts at humor in "Velma" are actually not funny. One can make an effort to watch a show that one knows will get better, but "Velma" is a show that continually bombards one's ears with jokes that are not funny. Its failure to be funny is best illustrated by this line from Norville (Velma's new role name for Shaggy).

As noted above, a Scooby-Doo show without a lead dog is certainly an odd choice, but what doesn't work for me is Velma's brand of edge-of-the-road humor. This is coming from someone who can find enjoyment in "Rick and Morty".

Nevertheless, as Rotten Tomatoes user Helle M. said, "I don't consider it a success because they don't want to watch it." Because, according to Kaling, Velma is a relative hit on this service:

Nevertheless, we view this declaration with a bit of skepticism: HBO Max does not do much animated programming, and we have no other data on what it is being compared to; for HBO Max We are very interested to see if Velma continues to do well (in any form). If the silent majority of viewers are enjoying the film, a season two of Velma seems likely. But if this early success is due to hate-watching, the ship may sink in the fall if fans don't return in the coming weeks.